That's right, I am finally proud to be an American. I have had so many conversations in the last few days about Obama. Every Togolese person I know, knows Barack Obama. They are really excited about him and I am speechless. I stayed up until 5 A.M. watching the coverage in Atakpame at another volunteer's house who has satellite television. I saw both his and McCain's speeches after the results came out. Ahhh. I can't wait to come home.
I recently went up to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso for an artisanal tradeshow. I had fun. But, the most important part of my trip was the food. Togo and apparently Burkina Faso are rampant with street food and snacks. I wrote down all the scrumptious snacks and have decided to list them:
1. Egg omelette sandwhich with cafe au lait: this is served pretty much throughout the day and usually has some pieces of onion and tomato chopped into it. The cafe au lait is just nescafe but with something very magical. Sweetened condensed milk. So good.
2. Sweetened black tea shots: a man with a roll cart walks around selling this in shot glasses. I think further up north, more mint would be used. This excites me.
3. Frozen coconut milk: bought this in Burkina Faso right out of the bus. It was on a stick. It cut my tongue.
4. Minty Bissap juice: Hibiscus juice with mint in a sac. Cut a hole in the sack with your front teeth and sip away.
5. Oranges, Watermelons, Boiled peanuts, Bananas: fruit right out of the bush taxi. Always fresh, always good.
6. Beans and gari: black eyed peas and toasted grated cassava. With piment (hot pepper).
7. Alagba: frozen baobab juice in a cold sac that you suck out. Tastes like apple juice.
8. Sesame bar: found more north. I thought I could only find this in Greece. I bought a bag of heart-shaped bars once again right out of the window of my bus.
9. Soy milk: frozen and in a sack. Sweet. Right out of the bus window.
10. Yellow melon: shaped like a cucumber, but tastes like honeydew.
11. Wild peanut, "arachide sauvage": tastes like a chickpea and peanut. Found this at a station heading back to my village from Atakpame.
I recently went up to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso for an artisanal tradeshow. I had fun. But, the most important part of my trip was the food. Togo and apparently Burkina Faso are rampant with street food and snacks. I wrote down all the scrumptious snacks and have decided to list them:
1. Egg omelette sandwhich with cafe au lait: this is served pretty much throughout the day and usually has some pieces of onion and tomato chopped into it. The cafe au lait is just nescafe but with something very magical. Sweetened condensed milk. So good.
2. Sweetened black tea shots: a man with a roll cart walks around selling this in shot glasses. I think further up north, more mint would be used. This excites me.
3. Frozen coconut milk: bought this in Burkina Faso right out of the bus. It was on a stick. It cut my tongue.
4. Minty Bissap juice: Hibiscus juice with mint in a sac. Cut a hole in the sack with your front teeth and sip away.
5. Oranges, Watermelons, Boiled peanuts, Bananas: fruit right out of the bush taxi. Always fresh, always good.
6. Beans and gari: black eyed peas and toasted grated cassava. With piment (hot pepper).
7. Alagba: frozen baobab juice in a cold sac that you suck out. Tastes like apple juice.
8. Sesame bar: found more north. I thought I could only find this in Greece. I bought a bag of heart-shaped bars once again right out of the window of my bus.
9. Soy milk: frozen and in a sack. Sweet. Right out of the bus window.
10. Yellow melon: shaped like a cucumber, but tastes like honeydew.
11. Wild peanut, "arachide sauvage": tastes like a chickpea and peanut. Found this at a station heading back to my village from Atakpame.
12. The picture that I posted is from a coffee shot stand in Ouagadougou.
I am being disturbed by another volunteer right now blocking my attention from this blog, so I cannot put any concentration into this beyond listing. I am sorry. Blame David Johnston. But, these are all things I can easily get at most stops when on a bush taxi. This is why I love Togo. I guess it's like fast food, but healthier and more spontaneous because you never know what will be offered. I love you all and I am really happy that Obama won. Really happy. Later taters.
I am being disturbed by another volunteer right now blocking my attention from this blog, so I cannot put any concentration into this beyond listing. I am sorry. Blame David Johnston. But, these are all things I can easily get at most stops when on a bush taxi. This is why I love Togo. I guess it's like fast food, but healthier and more spontaneous because you never know what will be offered. I love you all and I am really happy that Obama won. Really happy. Later taters.
3 comments:
From your photo I think I can see that you are still shaving your armpits. Apparently you are not the typical Obama supporter. Very interesting.... Interesting also that you said you love Togo, quite a departure from your previous posting. Glad to hear/read it. Stay strong, YES YOU CAN!!!
Your optimistic Republican Brother and Sister-in-Law,
Niko and Chelsea
yes, tig, it's a lot more fun being here now, even though you are not with us. we are still missing you and happy to hear you are eating well. xoxoxoxo! peg
Hi Tig,
I love this food blog about Togo's street food! And speaking of food, I personally shall eat twice as much on Thanksgiving Day in your honor. We will miss you. Tell us more about your moringa tree ventures. We love you,
Mama and Daddy
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