Happy Birthday Zambia!
Zambia gained independence from the United Kingdom 56 years ago yesterday (24 October) and to celebrate, our good friends, Tahira and Marco, invited us to their home for a traditional and ubiquitous Zambian meal – Nshima accompanied by a meat stew and vegetables.
How to describe Nshima? It is made from mielie meal, a relatively coarse flour made from maize and which requires vigorous preparation. When served, it has a very thick texture (akin to putty) and I’m having difficulty to compare it with another dish. It has a fairly bland tastes, but accompanies the stew and vegetables wonderfully.
It is a cheap dish and the staple food for most Zambians. The maize price is very important to the average Zambian.
We had a wonderful day and celebrations continued into the evening.
The Zambian authorities continue to be very hospitable and have now given us authorisations for ourselves and Big Bertha to stay in country until early in the New Year, for which we are very grateful.
Big Bertha remains immobile, but a large parcel of parts is on its way from MAN Germany to Lusaka via South Africa.
The British High Commissioner Nicholas Woolley posted a video of himself preparing an Nshima meal. 10/10 for the narration (in Zambian) but 2/10 for presentation – we thought ours looked much better!
Nishama looks great, Happy Birthday Zambia. Sorry to hear Big Bertha is immobilised,, hope she’s fixed soon. Take care and enjoy xx
Hi Claire, we will be moving again for Christmas. At least that is the plan….
Great food. I agree with our scores. High Commission failed on presentation and one eats with one’s eyes.
In a reversal of the norm, I wish I was there.
Stay safe.
Grass is always greener.. We are feeling a little ‘banged up’ here in Zambia.
Hi Dave andFrancine
Loved your photos and update, glad you are enjoying life and staying safe. Fractured my upper right arm 8 weeks ago so frantically doing physio every day and hoping for a quick recovery, which is not happening, everything takes time but I am improving. Feeling safe in Singapore but a bit like being locked up abroad, everything is normal except restaurants close at 10.30pm. Not feeling like celebrating Halloween as everyone here has been wearing a mask for 7 months and binging out on candy, so no needful big celebration this week!
Stay safe
Jean
Sorry to hear about your arm Jean, I hope this doesn’t impact the golfing too much. Its same old same old for us – but cannot complain, Zambia is treating us very well.