Braai

Have you ever been to a braai? (pronounced “bry” like “cry”) I’m sure you have, although we in Texas tend to call it a cookout, or a barbecue!! Blu came home on Monday a bit hesitant to tell me that he had accepted an invitation to a braai on Wednesday evening. I was so excited!! A chance to get out of the house, visit some new friends, and eat some good food!!

Living overseas is different in the fact that you are starved for fellowship with people like yourselves. So you often find yourself doing things you wouldn’t normally do in America—like going to the home of complete strangers, spending 4 hours, and having a great time!

So at 4pm on Wednesday we headed to the home of Yatin and Maria. Yatin owns Choma Garage, which is a small version of Home Depot here in Choma. He is of Indian background, though his mother was born in Zambia and he has lived here for much of his life. He has also lived in the UK, the USA (South Carolina), and Zimbabwe. Maria is from the Ukraine – she met Yatin while he was visiting there and after a whirlwind marriage found herself making a home in Africa with their 2 year old son, Nikhil. (They are very proud of the fact that Nik is American, having been born in South Carolina!)

So we arrive at 4pm to their mansion by African standards. The grounds are lush, there is a swimming pool, and toys everywhere. Our kids stripped down to their undies and jumped in the pool. They had a blast! We sat and visited for awhile and enjoyed some Ukrainian snacks…it was unlike any other food I have eaten!! Tomatoes and cheese rolled up in eggplant with mayonnaise, Indian breadsticks, pork chop salad with cabbage and onions, and puff pastry filled with feta cheese. We loved it!!

Yatin got home around 6pm and we started the braai. This basically involves throwing whatever meat you have on the grill! Another Indian woman came over with her daughter but she was very shy so we didn’t get to talk to her much. Supper was delicious, and then Maria brought out her homemade cookies and cake. More Ukranian food! The cookies were like sugar cookies stacked with jam in between them and then dipped in powdered sugar.

The funniest thing is that they both lived in America so it wasn’t like being in the home of an African. They understand our culture and even thought it would be funny to play some “traditional” country music while we ate. So as we sat with an Indian man and Ukranian woman in Zambia, Africa, we listened to “Big John.” 

Maria is pregnant with twins and leaves for the Ukraine on Friday to spend a month with family there. I’m hoping that when she gets back in May we can be friends and spend more time together, because she seems lonely in Zambia. I am grateful for new friends and for cultural experiences!