My second thanksgiving in Tanzania was no easier than the first. Knowing everyone back home is together celebrating (and drinking heavily no doubt) can be a little tough to stomach, especially when all I want is some damn turkey. But, if I can’t be at Annie’s or at Grama Sue’s, where else would I want to be other than Sepuka.
This year my site-mate, Kiki, and I decided to throw a Thanksgiving bash in our village (she lives about 2 kilometers away from me). We sent out word to other volunteers that we were having a shin-dig and that everyone was welcome. The response was record breaking – 15 volunteers showed up to the ‘pook to see what we had cookin’ for thanksgiving. Most traveled at least a day to get here; some traveled two days. And we did not disappoint.
With our master chef, Alana, in the kitchen (and trust me, it was her kitchen), DJ Fo on the speakers, and Rama slaughtering 4 chickens out back, it was shaping up to be an unforgettable day. Although we weren’t allowed in the kitchen for fear of getting our paws slapped, everyone pitched in to help with preparation and manning the three charcoal stoves we had going. A crate of beer, a slack line, 5 bottles of wine, hours of tunes, and four buckets of charcoal later we were more than ready to eat. The menu was as follows:
-fruit salad
-honey bread
-banana bread
-stuffing
-candied sweet potatoes
-mashed potatoes
-Shepard’s pie
-green beans
-deviled eggs
-homemade macaroni and cheese
-cranberries
-stuffed green bell peppers
-4 perfectly cooked chickens (2 types)
-pumpkin pie and;
-Alana twist yellow cake
Wow.
Our dinner guests included Mama Menga, her brother-in-law, and her son Rama. All who helped with chicken preparation that we were all too chicken to take part in. Sharing one of my favorite holidays with people from my village was my favorite part of the whole day. They ate food they’ve never dreamed of, and got to watch us run around like the fools we are, giddy with the excitement of being with friends and feasting, and got to learn more about a culture that is so foreign to them. As we went around in a circle introducing ourselves to our guests, I looked around at my friends, some new some old, and felt so completely thankful; thankful for all people who traveled to be with us, thankful for the resources and means to prepare such an amazing meal, and thankful for the opportunity to share a little America with our Tanzanian friends.
A viewing of my new favorite comedy, Bridesmaids, an after dinner treat of the best deviled eggs this side of the Serengeti, and another crate of beer were ridiculous yet oh so necessary. With mattresses borrowed from the girls hostel at the secondary school and Kiki’s 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom mansion, everyone (well, most everyone…) crashed comfortably.
Post-turkey/chicken day activities included a grand tour of Sepuka. If you’re ever in need of a little entertainment, just take a group of 15 Peace Corps volunteers around your sleepy village. We took a chai break in the village center, wandered over to my house, and then up to the primary school to check out the world map. I couldn’t tell if people were terrified or excited. Tiny heads poked out from behind their mama’s legs, village elders stared in disbelief (probably that it appeared I had so many friends), and we rambled on across farms and through houses laughing, telling stories, and greeting everyone in sight.
It was a thanksgiving celebration for the books thanks to everyone who made it possible, tasty, and thoroughly entertaining. I’m sure we’ll be the talk of the town until at least next rainy season.
Sounds; like you had a pretty sweet turkey day. We missed you playing football in the front yard and the annual walk with the dogs. You would have loved the kids walk under the bridge to see graffiti and walking the railroad tracks with Charlie taking pictures of the girls pretending they are models. I will have him post them so you can see. Love ya babe.
ReplyDeleteAuntie Karen