Day 9: I found the banana "beer."

So this is important: I found the local spirit known as urwagwa, brewed from fermented bananas. Went to a local place called Republika, and saw it listed beside "local wine" - urwagwa. Naturally I had to get this magical banana-flavored nectar of the gods.

Claude the waiter looked at me line I was insane. A muzungu drinking urwagwa? Before pouring his finest, he suggested I just try a little first. First off, it's thick, like egg nog, and coats the tongue. There is a slight taste of bananas, but much more of a coffee flavor. Like banana-infused kaluha. Not especially potent, but it will probably do the job. More urwagwa, please. And hold the banana-flavored methanol, please. 

Wonder if you could make a White Russian with the stuff? Yellow Russian?

Dinner: goat brochettes. Let's do this thing!

Goat was good, not tough at all, as it sometimes could be. Great African vibe to the place, but a little expensive. One of the busiest restaurants I have been to here, with a mix of ex-pats and locals. Not bad at all, especially since it was an easy half-mile walk down the road. 

Day 8: Yes medical stuff, but what did you eat?

So at the restaurant New Cactus. There is country music playing. A definite southwestern theme. Mexican in Africa? Dare we hope for a chimichanga?

Nope, Afro-French cuisine. 

As a side note, every waiter I have come across is laughing at me when I ask for their recommendation and then immediately say that's what I want. Very confusing for them, I guess. But I figure they know the restaurant and the menu better than me, so why not let them do the choosing?

Aaanyway, got a grilled tilapia in a butter garlic sauce with the fried chips (freedom fries for you patriots at home). Fish was well-cooked, flaky and firm but not dry.  Decent, but the sauce overpowered it, in my opinion. 

Beernerdness: ordered Pression beer. Oooh, draught beer in Africa! How is it, John? While doing my due diligence online on the place of origin, etc., I soon realized that Pression is actually french for draught. So it's draught beer. Okay but what type, please? Well, think it is Mutzig, a local Budweiser variant, essentially. A lager that's main point of emphasis is that it exists. 

You have now tricked me twice, New Cactus. 

The place is worth it just for the view, however. 

This is looking east toward many of the suburbs. 

Overall okay, but a little too ex-pat for my tastes. 

But you're just skin and bones, you need to eat...

This will not devolve into a food blog, I promise. But I like food and feel the need to discuss, ok?

Oh, and not sure how regular these blog posts will be once I am in the thick of working at the hospital. We will have to see...

Anyway, one of the highest rated restaurants in Kigali is around the block (around the block still means going uphill... Both ways... Not kidding on this point).  An Indian joint called Khana Khazana. If you are in the neighborhood, target audience of Tennesseans and Colorado transplants, highly recommend it. ("But Stringham, you're in Rwanda, why didn't you eat Rwandan food like, um, ... Hippo or, like, bush meat or something?" There are about 50 Indian places I can throw a rock at from my doorstep, and I had "street meat" otherwise known as a goat stew with rice and red beans for lunch. Get off me now, straw man of my own creation).  

Anyway, got the chicken tikka masala on recommendation of the wait staff:

Very good, perfect spice, chicken was tender, naan was freshly made, rice was flavorful. Service was impeccable. Rohith Piyaratna, your "boofeys" that you always wanted to go to in Nashville pale in comparison with this place. One of the best Indian meals I have had since I can remember. 

Beernerdness: Tusker pale lager. From Kenya, I believe. A lot like Stella Artois. Not hoppy, refreshing in the heat and to wash down the spice, but not spectacular. However according to the bottle was named after George Hurst the founder of the company who was gored by an elephant while on a hunt. Another fun fact: beer (specifically this higher end beer) is the same price as bottled water. Not sure about finding microbrews here, but will see if I can. 

I promise to eat and drink weird things in the future, or at least pretend that I did for the sake of this discussion. First on the to do list: Urwagwe, a fermented banana beer with sorghum flour. Supposed to be potent. And taste like old bananas. This is me excited about the prospect.

Tomorrow: trying to get cell service in Kinyarwandan (I still maintain that to get across information one needs only to speak slowly and loudly in English, and gesticulate madly. And if that doesn't work, speak spanglish). And a visit to the Hotel de Mille Collines aka "Hotel Rwanda." French translation: hotel of a million Colins. Or colons, I don't speak French.