Our First Namibian Braai

Last Saturday, the PC trainees and their host families (along with PC staff and trainers) held our first cross cultural feast, this one of Namibian food. We cooked in groups based on the language we speak or are learning to speak (there are 8 of them), since different tribes customarily cook different foods. Preparation and cooking took place nearly all morning, from about 8am to 1 or 2pm.

At this "braai" (basically the Namibian version of our BBQ), nearly everything was done the traditional way.

Cooking outside over fires (NB: the Namibian flag in the background), as if it wasn't hot enough (Weather has been a very consistent 80-85°F with clear blue skies. We saw clouds on 1 day and not yet a drop of rain.):

We made fat cakes, which are made of dough boiled, or essentially deep fried, in cooking oil:

And also braai bread, which are made on the grill (healthier than fat cakes by a large margin):

It was the one thing Kevin could eat since he unfortunately was sick with a stomach virus for a couple days. (Which wasn't much unlike a stomach virus we have in the States. He is better now and received satisfactory attention and care!) The bread lover was not complaining:

Everyone helped, but I give credit to the trainees who wanted to experience slaughtering and preparing the chicken (probably the freshest meat many of us have had in our lives):

Finally food was served. Trainees went first (since we were considered the guests) and children last (as is custom in Namibia). We could try a little bit of everything, and tastes varied from plain to just unfamiliar. The most exotic of the delicacies were probably the caterpillar and maybe the cow stomach. I wish I could say I was in love with some of the food, but at this point, I'm not really. I'm happy though since we've had easy access to fruits and veggies (phew).

And of course, cute babies were in attendance. This guy is one of the language trainers sons, what a face: