Flies, fruits and fresh air. What does it look like to go
grocery shopping in Busia, Kenya? I have been designated grocery shopper this
month, along with Charlotte from the SWAT team, so we are getting plenty of
exposure to how things work here.
foods, so to get your fruits and vegetables you have to go to the open-air
market. Oh, did I mention you also have to walk 50 minutes to get there? When
you get there you will see many tables set up in rows like a grid with various
fruits and vegetables for you to purchase from that specific person. One person
may be selling watermelon, pineapple, oranges, and ginger, while the next has
tomatoes, garlic, and cabbage.
Our amazing contacts make sure that we have one of them with
us so that we ensure the right price. The people are so welcoming and even give
us bonus pieces of fruits or veggies on occasion. There is something about this
market that I love. It’s definitely not the smell of the fish being boiled
every few stands or the cleanliness with the dirt and garbage covering the
ground…there is a uniqueness about the people and the culture that I am drawn
to.
Along with doing the shopping, Charlotte and I are also
responsible for the menu and keeping up with our Chef Lucas. It is quite an
interesting thing to plan meals between two cultures. Lucas wants to make
mokimo (what’s that) while we want tacos (they’ve never heard that word)…it
gets a little tough at times. We have learned the art of compromise and that
some nights we can just give him the night off and cook for ourselves. A few
nights ago we were able to introduce our Pastor to hamburgers. He says that he
is now ready to go to America because he can eat our food.
Yesterday was my last shopping day for this month. I can’t
believe it’s over already. We’ll have to see if next month plays out in any way
like this month. These three months will be very similar culturally and in
language, so perhaps I will get to continue going to markets and spending time
in their day-to-day experiences.
