Food, food, food

I had this mentioned many times to me from loved ones from the states, “You talk about food a lot.” I think I’ve worried people with the constant facebook chatter and letters about food. It is true that a huge chunk of my life now revolves around food. I think I need to explain the realities here so that maybe people can understand why.

In village the food available to me is quite limited. The marché is only once a week so everything I want to eat for the week pretty much needs to be purchased that day. Whats available daily? Beans, rice, foo-foo (pounded yams), pate (. . . corn mush stuff), tomatoes, onions, eggs, spaghetti, and okra. Day in and day out eating the same stuff gets boring. On marché day stuff is still pretty lean in Asrama. Pretty much I can buy the same stuff it’s just cheaper on those days. Fruits like oranges, bananas, and pineapple are sold on marché day. You can buy oranges any time already peeled from one of the ladies on the street (I don’t like Togo oranges. They taste a little bitter to me). If I want variation I need to travel to Notse where I can buy cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and good bread (the bread in Asrama isn’t very good). 

So, imagine eating the same thing day in and day out. After two weeks in village I’m craving variety and general nutrients. My daily diet is severely lacking basic essential nutrients. I have taken measures to help with that like putting Peak (evaporated milk enriched with all the needed nutrients) in as many meals as possible. I also take daily vitamins. Still, I feel like my body know the difference. I look forward to going to Notse and getting a chicken sandwich from my favorite restaurant loaded with veggies or eating yovo food in Atapkame.

Many volunteers when given the opportunity overindulge when good food is available. Before Swear-in ceremony we spent a couple of days in Lome buying everything we needed to set up our houses. One of the big stops we made was to Super-ramco, a grocery store. We bought essentials to start any kitchen, but we also bought some of the things we missed that just are not available outside of Lome. When we were all done shopping and waiting for the Peace Corps car to come pick us up we were chowing down some questionable food choices for lunch. Slices of cheddar cheese, swiss, and salami was passed back and forth. Sever types of Ben and Jerry’s also made the rounds among us . . . not to mention all the candy and different sodas (and some brave souls were chugging milk). Some of us were certainly sick later that day, but if you asked all of us we’d tell you it was worth it.

Then there is the sickness. I’ve been sick a good chunk of my service here in Togo (I think I’ve been ill more than I’ve felt well). I’ve gone two or three days without food simply because I can’t keep anything down. Sometimes the thought of eating the same meal one more time makes me lose my appetite.

So, is it any wonder why food is such a big part of my life here in Togo? It’s not easy getting good food here, so when I’m out of village and it’s bountiful I indulge. If you ask any volunteer they would tell you the same thing.