Running in Kigali, Rwanda is polar opposite to Running in Goma, DRC. First of all, where we are staying, the roads are all paved, thus there is no dust or pot holes to contend with. Secondly, When you are looking out one sees rows of identical housing complexes that conjure up images of suburban America. Thirdly, there are not too many motos or cars to share the road with. It is a peaceful, amicable running climate donned with undulating hills.
We came to Kigali from Goma. Running in Goma, is mentally challenging at best. You have to brave the pot holes, succumb to the dust, dodge the cars and motos and the scenery...well, frankly, you can't focus too much on the scenery due to all of the potholes.
I feel so thankful to had experienced all of the various African running venues, in 5 countries, this past 1.5 months. Some have been more ideal than others. However, whether I've been running in Major Metropolitan areas like Nairobi and Daar Es Salaam, or in various Peace Corps Volunteers Posts in the middle of nowhere, I have loved engaging in my favorite hobby in some amazing locales.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Ali and Abba's East African Adventure
Tanzania was phenomenal. Between the beautiful scenery, the pleasant, amicable Tanzanians, the delicious food, and the deep-rooted culture, it was a great 2.5 weeks. Abba and I chose to start our EAA (East African Adventure) in Tanzania and it was a smart decision. Zanzibar was relaxing and very colorful, full of tasty Indian delights and Tropical fruits. When not eating we lounged on the gorgeous, vaste white sandy beaches and toured the twists and turns of Stone Town, the once epicenter for Swahili culture. Zanzibar turns Cancun at night, so we had a few good nights partying with a diverse, international crowd on the beach. In general I have been in a stimulation overload meeting so many people from all over the world. Being a Peace Corps volunteer in a tiny, homogenous village for 2 years does not leave much room to meet other from outside of the village. So I have taken advantage of trying to socialize with as many people as possible and make up for the last 2 years! (i.e. I'm not getting a lot of sleep).
After Zanzibar, we headed to Dar Es Salaam, a more organized, eclectic, western influenced city that has many beaches and wafts of ocean, breezy air. Reminded me a tad of Dakar, Senegal for it's ocean-side location. Next, we headed to Lushoto, the "Switzerland of Tanzania." At one point a haven for German colonialists, Lughoto was a nice forested, mountainous, green respite from the bustle of Dar. Finally, we ended our N. Tanzania tour at Moshi and Arusha to finish up with a Serengeti/Ngorngoro Crater Safari. Despite not being a huge animal enthusiast,I got totally into the safari and found it rather therapeutic. When one is enraptured in watching animals, one's worried subside. You get trapped in watching the animals and only think of the present--the animals you will see. Quite nice. I also enjoyed Arusha for its East African United- Nations- feeling (an African Studies Students dream) and all the good restaurants!
Now we are in Nairobi....once again amazed by all the good food and hustle and bustle. In general here are some generalizations that we noted between Tanzania and Cameroon:
1. Good, solid National Highways.
2. Cars/buses that leave on time.
3. Great diversity in food, esp. Indian Food
4. wonderful cheap coffee on the streets
5. Garbage bins on the side of streets, in general, less trash ridden
6. Very friendly population, everywhere we went!!! Reminded me of my village with the salutations.
7. Peanut Butter is ubiquitous
8. Less Derangement, rarely would someone come up and pester you
9. Conservation in the National Parks was note-worthy.
10.Seemed like more law-abiding on the highways, i.e. pulled people over for having too many passengers in the cars.
OK, hope this finds everyone well! Bonne Annee! We are continuing on our journey. Asante Sana, Kwa Heri,
Ali
After Zanzibar, we headed to Dar Es Salaam, a more organized, eclectic, western influenced city that has many beaches and wafts of ocean, breezy air. Reminded me a tad of Dakar, Senegal for it's ocean-side location. Next, we headed to Lushoto, the "Switzerland of Tanzania." At one point a haven for German colonialists, Lughoto was a nice forested, mountainous, green respite from the bustle of Dar. Finally, we ended our N. Tanzania tour at Moshi and Arusha to finish up with a Serengeti/Ngorngoro Crater Safari. Despite not being a huge animal enthusiast,I got totally into the safari and found it rather therapeutic. When one is enraptured in watching animals, one's worried subside. You get trapped in watching the animals and only think of the present--the animals you will see. Quite nice. I also enjoyed Arusha for its East African United- Nations- feeling (an African Studies Students dream) and all the good restaurants!
Now we are in Nairobi....once again amazed by all the good food and hustle and bustle. In general here are some generalizations that we noted between Tanzania and Cameroon:
1. Good, solid National Highways.
2. Cars/buses that leave on time.
3. Great diversity in food, esp. Indian Food
4. wonderful cheap coffee on the streets
5. Garbage bins on the side of streets, in general, less trash ridden
6. Very friendly population, everywhere we went!!! Reminded me of my village with the salutations.
7. Peanut Butter is ubiquitous
8. Less Derangement, rarely would someone come up and pester you
9. Conservation in the National Parks was note-worthy.
10.Seemed like more law-abiding on the highways, i.e. pulled people over for having too many passengers in the cars.
OK, hope this finds everyone well! Bonne Annee! We are continuing on our journey. Asante Sana, Kwa Heri,
Ali
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
On Food in Tourningal
A Local Food Lover’s Paradise—Rural Africa
Little did I know that I am en vogue. . I’m en vogue due to my unconscientiously supporting the local food movement these past 2 years. Living in Rural Africa makes following this trend very easy. Particularly, not knowing how to cook and eating at my neighbor’s houses nightly who don’t buy packaged, industrialized goods has made this effort very possible.
This past 9 months I have read Fast Food Nation, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, three books that in someway or another mentioned the importance of supporting local food growers, as opposed to the industrial large corporations that have taken over the American Food System. Prior to coming to the Peace Corps, when I was getting by during college by scarfing down muffins and peanut butter, eating locally rarely crossed my mind. I considered myself a very typical college student, one who inwardly supported all the a la mode causes, but who oftentimes lived hypocritically not vocalizing my opinion nor trying to inform others to abide by causes I believed to be important. Rushing, busy, liberal-minded career oriented Americans are often guilty of hypocrisy, knowing it would be wonderful to support such or such cause, but not finding the time to actually abide by its’ tenets. That was me with the local food movement.
Then I entered PC and was shipped to Rural Africa, amidst an agricultural hinterland, amongst agriculturalists who earn their bread and butter by having a good harvest. If they don’t have a good harvest their family will suffer and, potentially, starve or become sick from malnutrition. Hence, the importance of my community to carefully respect their land and their animals who fertilize their land. I cringe when I see the onset of fertilizers on the farmer’s fields and the perhaps long-term ramifications of using these fertilizers in a haphazard fashion. The food that my villagers grow is the food that they use to sustain themselves throughout the year. Corn, similar to in the US, is their main crop. Although their cornfields are not nearly as neat and stacked as the typical fertilizer entrenched US corn field, a typical family’s corn field, will give them enough corn flour to provide an average family of 8 people enough main substance of food for 12 months. This is what my base has been for the last two years—corn flour.
Then, comes the sauces and vegetables to go with the boiled corn flour. All of my vegetables that I have eaten these past few years have come from local grown gardens not more than a few km. away from my house! These have provided luscious, savory sauces. Opposite as to most Americans, here we eat what is in season, during their respectful seasons, especially since there is no refrigeration. Meaning, when squash is ripe (Novermber-January) we eat squash everyday. Avocado season (December-March) is replete with daily avocado salads and sandwiches. Mango season (March-May) is my favorite; chock full of juicy, vitamin laden mangoes that are tasty as a dessert or snack alike. Sure there are days that I have felt lethargic and consequently pinpointed my low-blood sugar due to the dearth of vitamins.
Contrary to the occasional shortage of fruits and vegetables, one can get their share of protein without too much effort. Meat is available nearly every other day and if one has the means, one could also splurge and buy chicken, sheep or goats. The other week during the feast of the goat, Tabaski, I had sheep nearly 5-10 times a day. I think I’ve eaten enough sheep to get me through the next few years.
Dairy is also abundant in my village, due to its being surrounded by cows and cow herders. Especially during the rainy season every morning, while I go for my run at 5:30, men will go to milk the cows. While I’m getting my share of exercise by running, others are getting their exercise by walking kilometers away to milk the cows. Unfortunately there is no refrigeration. However, there are also no chemicals nor preservatives added to the milk. I have gotten inured to the taste of fresh, hearty milk, (of course boiled beforehand). Yogurt can also be ordered in advance. Coffee can also be grown in my village, however, it is a rather new crop.
As far as fast food is concerned, there is none. People eat three meals a day at home. It is rare to see food packaging and waste like we have in America. Hence, why my plastic containers that contain my various purchases such as powdered milk and peanut butter are so coveted. Household trash is severely mitigated due to buying locally, not having the means to buy westernized food items and not having refrigeration.
TO BE CONTINUED, MAYBE.
Little did I know that I am en vogue. . I’m en vogue due to my unconscientiously supporting the local food movement these past 2 years. Living in Rural Africa makes following this trend very easy. Particularly, not knowing how to cook and eating at my neighbor’s houses nightly who don’t buy packaged, industrialized goods has made this effort very possible.
This past 9 months I have read Fast Food Nation, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, three books that in someway or another mentioned the importance of supporting local food growers, as opposed to the industrial large corporations that have taken over the American Food System. Prior to coming to the Peace Corps, when I was getting by during college by scarfing down muffins and peanut butter, eating locally rarely crossed my mind. I considered myself a very typical college student, one who inwardly supported all the a la mode causes, but who oftentimes lived hypocritically not vocalizing my opinion nor trying to inform others to abide by causes I believed to be important. Rushing, busy, liberal-minded career oriented Americans are often guilty of hypocrisy, knowing it would be wonderful to support such or such cause, but not finding the time to actually abide by its’ tenets. That was me with the local food movement.
Then I entered PC and was shipped to Rural Africa, amidst an agricultural hinterland, amongst agriculturalists who earn their bread and butter by having a good harvest. If they don’t have a good harvest their family will suffer and, potentially, starve or become sick from malnutrition. Hence, the importance of my community to carefully respect their land and their animals who fertilize their land. I cringe when I see the onset of fertilizers on the farmer’s fields and the perhaps long-term ramifications of using these fertilizers in a haphazard fashion. The food that my villagers grow is the food that they use to sustain themselves throughout the year. Corn, similar to in the US, is their main crop. Although their cornfields are not nearly as neat and stacked as the typical fertilizer entrenched US corn field, a typical family’s corn field, will give them enough corn flour to provide an average family of 8 people enough main substance of food for 12 months. This is what my base has been for the last two years—corn flour.
Then, comes the sauces and vegetables to go with the boiled corn flour. All of my vegetables that I have eaten these past few years have come from local grown gardens not more than a few km. away from my house! These have provided luscious, savory sauces. Opposite as to most Americans, here we eat what is in season, during their respectful seasons, especially since there is no refrigeration. Meaning, when squash is ripe (Novermber-January) we eat squash everyday. Avocado season (December-March) is replete with daily avocado salads and sandwiches. Mango season (March-May) is my favorite; chock full of juicy, vitamin laden mangoes that are tasty as a dessert or snack alike. Sure there are days that I have felt lethargic and consequently pinpointed my low-blood sugar due to the dearth of vitamins.
Contrary to the occasional shortage of fruits and vegetables, one can get their share of protein without too much effort. Meat is available nearly every other day and if one has the means, one could also splurge and buy chicken, sheep or goats. The other week during the feast of the goat, Tabaski, I had sheep nearly 5-10 times a day. I think I’ve eaten enough sheep to get me through the next few years.
Dairy is also abundant in my village, due to its being surrounded by cows and cow herders. Especially during the rainy season every morning, while I go for my run at 5:30, men will go to milk the cows. While I’m getting my share of exercise by running, others are getting their exercise by walking kilometers away to milk the cows. Unfortunately there is no refrigeration. However, there are also no chemicals nor preservatives added to the milk. I have gotten inured to the taste of fresh, hearty milk, (of course boiled beforehand). Yogurt can also be ordered in advance. Coffee can also be grown in my village, however, it is a rather new crop.
As far as fast food is concerned, there is none. People eat three meals a day at home. It is rare to see food packaging and waste like we have in America. Hence, why my plastic containers that contain my various purchases such as powdered milk and peanut butter are so coveted. Household trash is severely mitigated due to buying locally, not having the means to buy westernized food items and not having refrigeration.
TO BE CONTINUED, MAYBE.
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