Messages from Moi: Nyama Choma at Highlands Inn, Eldoret

We had been to a nyama choma out in the country, at a waterfall, that was really fun. When we returned and were telling people in the guest house about our experience, our friend Kaka was aghast. "They served you sheep?" he asked incredulously. "Sheep is for women..." Later on we went to nyama choma (which means grilled meat) with Faith in Eldoret at Highlands Inn. A few weeks ago we took the Swedes there. They had not had nyama choma. Living in town I think they had had other experiences than some of what we had. Anyway, this past Saturday, May12, we returned to Highlands Inn with Faith, and also with Kaka and a friend of Faith's. These are some pictures of that afternoon, to give you a sense of what a nyama choma is like.

Evan, Kaka, and Faith at Highlands Inn.

Evan looking pretty relaxed, tweeting...

Kaka, looking dapper. He has basically been Evan's Kenyan dad. A wonderful gentleman who has made our stay in Kenya much better than it would have been otherwise.

Faith pouring herself a drink, also looking quite decked out in her Kenyan garb. I should have worn my Kenyan shirt.

And this is me, wearing my NSU shirt. The day was nice and sunny, which we haven't had a lot of during the rainy season.

And here comes dinner. That's the goat he is cutting up there. The meal is served with ugali, mukimo, which is a delicious potato mash, sukuma wiki, which is basically greens like collards (though different), and kachumbari, which reminds me a whole lot of pico de gallo.

The meat is carved very carefully, right at your table. Apparently these places are all over Nairobi, and that's what people do, go out and drink beer and eat nyama chomo. It's interesting because the beer is not all that strong, so they can drink a good bit of it.

Carving that big leg of goat. Goat is interesting meat. We think of goat as being, well, let's just say not a meat of choice. However, that's because our goats eat garbage. The best goats in Kenya come from the drylands, and eat only sweet tasting plants. Kenyans swear that the best goat meat is very sweet, and I would have to agree. You do not need a lot of sauces or anything to give the meat taste, which makes me realize just how bland the beef we are getting in the US really is. The meat is flavorful, and needs nothing to make it taste excellent.