CHAT THREAD

[Molly53]

CongoJim wrote:
There is good news coming out of the DR Congo. I have amassed all the necessary spices and as soon as I finish my smoker I'm going to try my hand at sausages. Biggest problem is going to be choosing the first ones to make out of the 200 or so recipes I've gathered. On top of that I have a friend that has landed in Kinshasa and he has brought two frozen turkeys with him. Last time he brought one and I cooked it in a wood fired oven. When I cut into it and the skin crackled and juices flowed down the meat, three people wept openly and didn't care who saw them.

Now if we could just do something about Kagame in Rwanda killing Congolese in the East. Paul Kagame, the World's most misunderstood mass murderer, some people actually believe he is a good guy.

Hi, Jim. I'm wondering what you normally cook besides turkeys?

Mr. Kagame sort of doesn't hit the radar much, good or bad here. I suspect there are additional factors at play, too. Conflict fatigue from extended Western military committments in the Middle East comes right to mind.

That said, there's a good article in the NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/28/opinion/Paul-Kagame-The-Darling-Dictator-of-the-day.html

What are other African nations doing about the situation?

[JoyfulCook]

Molly the sad thing about it all is that the other African countries dont do anything - they did not help when there was famine or flooding, a few months back all south Africa did was send their condolences - they seem to wait for aid from somewhere else!

As for conflicts they just seem to let them get on with it

[Zurie]

CongoJim wrote:
There is good news coming out of the DR Congo. I have amassed all the necessary spices and as soon as I finish my smoker I'm going to try my hand at sausages. Biggest problem is going to be choosing the first ones to make out of the 200 or so recipes I've gathered. On top of that I have a friend that has landed in Kinshasa and he has brought two frozen turkeys with him. Last time he brought one and I cooked it in a wood fired oven. When I cut into it and the skin crackled and juices flowed down the meat, three people wept openly and didn't care who saw them.

Now if we could just do something about Kagame in Rwanda killing Congolese in the East. Paul Kagame, the World's most misunderstood mass murderer, some people actually believe he is a good guy.

Ohmigod ... ... you &^%#$ man, you!! I have been agonising about you for what...?! Two years?? I thought you might have been killed during the DRC elections god-knows-when, when there was great upheaval.

I am so, so, soooo pleased to see your post, you stupid man!!! Why haven't you posted in such a long time???

Oh mannn, we could talk about the African mindset for hours. Won't get us anywhere. Vous comprendrez?

Please post on a regular basis so we know you're okay!! (((Hugs))) from me!

[Molly53]

Gollee, Zurie. I want to run and hide!

[Leggy Peggy]

Actually I was thinking what Zurie was thinking. Good to see you Jim.

[JoyfulCook]

Run for the hills!!! I must say, I did wonder what nasty event had happened - its really good to see you back

[Zurie]

I hope Congo Jim talks to us (and me!!) again!

I've really worried about him.

Oh, no political slurs intended, really, but African governments including our own are good at talking, talking, and not at all good about actually doing things, such as rushing to the aid of the ordinary people where a dictator is "developing".

Once upon a time -- remember? -- Robert Mugabe was Britain's blue-eyed boy in Southern Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. He had lots of promise as a leader ... and wow, look at him now.

[JoyfulCook]

Yes, Zurie, it would be nice if he came back to chat!

[JoyfulCook]

Coming in here is like creeping around an old house in the dark...creepy cos no one is around.

Well we leave two weeks today for Kenya - Thats where Simon and I met a lifetime ago! will hopefully be able to post some pics... things in Kenya seem to have gone down hill even more. been told not to show a camera in Nairobi as you could get mugged - now jewelery (know about that) etc etc.... in other words dont look like a tourist.

This is the first time that we are going on a proper safari. other times we just hired a car and did our own thing - but we were told that it was safest..... in the real old days I used to catch a bus to work every morning. work in the city of Nairobi, then catch one home, with no worries

[Zurie]

Oh Joy, it won't be half as bad as they say. It's because tourists (not you; I mean in general) stroll around with rings, bangles, expensive watches, cameras around the neck ...

In ANY country (almost) it is an invitation to a grabbing or mugging. Even in Italy we were warned against advertising that we're "rich" tourists.

You'll find Kenya picturesque, I'm sure! Do write "postcards home" -- to this chat!!! If you can!

That's another thing: if you take a laptop, keep it hidden. For some reason, on this Continent, laptops are THE most desirable things to steal ...

Take my phone number with you, if you still have it (or I can send it to you). I can't "save" you in Kenya, but at least we can be a contact you know!

[Leggy Peggy]

Have a wonderful trip Joy. I'll be with you in spirit.

[JoyfulCook]

this place is just so dead, what a pity, Its like a ghost town now

[Zurie]

Joy, you have a lot to cope with right now.

When you have time, give this forum a thought. We really should push for re-uniting with NA/ME ....

Can you believe there was a time when it WAS one forum and we pleaded that the Middle East should take on North Africa, because we could only cope with Africa below the Sahara?? It was THAT busy. I remember the many questions on African dishes which needed research.

[JoyfulCook]

its time that this forum was reunited with the rest of Africa its just dead! what a pity as we used to have such a good chat with people here!

[Leggy Peggy]

Lots of the forums are way too quiet. So sad.