Food in Uganda

This week has been a bit slow at school because there was a holiday (Hero's day) and sports days, so I thought that I would take some time to talk about some of the everyday things here. Since I am a big fan of eating, I thought that I would start with the food here in Gulu (sorry if there are typos...my computer broke and the local computer I'm using has a very sticky keyboard). It's funny, I had such an American idea of what life as going to be ike here. Like I said earlier, I had assumed that since the area and the schools were so poor, that the education would be poor and not up-to-date. Now I realize what an innocent and naive ignorance that assumption was. Same kind of idea with the food. I'm embarrased to say that I had assumed that because I was coming to a very poor county, that I would probably be eating infrequently or that when I did get to eat, it wouldnt be much. SO very wrong--I am gaining weight for sure :) Hre is how a typical day of food looks: In the morning, Doreen makes breakfast which is comprised of some form of egg (scrambled, omlett, etc) and fruit salad (usually bananas and mango--I've learned I don't like mang0). For lunch, we are supposedly going to be eating at school where they usually serve posho (some kind of starchy solid form of gritz...no taste, but filling) with beans (very flavourful). But since school has been really light lately, I haven't been at school for lunch so I pretty much am left with 1) a powerbar or 2) lunch in town--also usually beans or eggs with posho, chapati (kind of like naan) or rice...maybe vegetables..don't forget the bottled water, not still water....no. Dinner is also made by Doreen, who used to be the head chef at the best hotel in Gulu. She is awesome! Usually dinner consists of some sort of rice mixture with sauteed vegetables and some sort of side salad with green peppers and cabbage, tomatoes, etc. There is a heavy Indian influence in the food...lots of curries, cilantro, etc. I have to say that while there are a lot of meat dishes (chicken, beef, goat) and fresh fish from the Nile....they kind of seem sketchy to me, so I've pretty much become a vegetarian here. I just have a hard time seeing little chickens running around ne minute and then staring at them on my plate the next minute. I prefer the distance from the reality of a non-vegetarian diet offered by supermarkets :) Overall, there is, like I said a heavy Indian influence and a LOT of starch---which makes sense because it is cheap and filling...but good Lord it can get heavy at times. Good thing I pretty much walk everywhere. But I am having some serious American food withdrawl. I am having a mad hankering for some Burger King of all things...I don't really even like fast food, but Burger King is on my mind...and cake...and icing..mmmm...and Cocoa Pebbles....and Lucky Charms...oh my goodness I need some for REAL sugar!!! :) Oh and Starbucks....I am such a freaking American! I have to say thought, even the simplicity of local and organic-based meals have been a good lesson for me---everyone here has a garden from which they make their meals. I love that personal investment in feeding your family. It's definitely something that I would like to implement in my own life some day....it's just going to have to be supplemented with the occasional Starbucks and Maccaroni Grill! Mmmm....Penne Rustica....oh my gosh, I have to stop thinking about American food now! Just know this Mr. JavaChip Frapuccino....in 5 weeks time, you will be mine.....oh yes....you WILL be mine!!!!!!