Everybody Needs a Little

After two months in Windhoek I finally did it. Today marks my first trip to Kentucky Fried Chicken.

I'm not normally a KFC-fanatic, truth be told I can't remember the last time I went to a KFC in the U.S. But it's been a hard week. Work has been crazy, the weather is still pretty darn cold, and some very messy guests have left the Puccini House kitchen in a state of disarray the past few nights, so I've been too grossed out with the mess or too annoyed to try to cook dinner the past few nights (Ryan, the beef jerky you sent came in handy). I'm in good spirits, but have also felt a little bit homesick this week. I'll be home in less than one month (!), and to steal a line from a fellow Stanford-ite in Africa, "I'm both dreading and dying to come home." I am having an incredible experience here, and the longer I'm here the longer I wish I could stay, but I miss friends and family from home - there's definitely a part of me itching to get back to the US of A.

KFC is the only major US fast-food chain in Namibia. No Starbucks, no McDonald's, no Burger King, definitely no Taco Bell (or any Mexican food that I can find, for that matter). There are several local food chains, Nandoo's (peri-peri chicken), King Pie (flaky-pastry sandwiches filled with various types of meat), and Hungry Lion (haven't tried, mostly fried chicken). People rave about Nandoo's and I think I need to give it another shot - when Kaylan and I went last month, the chicken and fries were slightly below expectations, though the sauces they use are quite tasty. At one point, I made a promise to myself I wouldn't go to KFC until I tried all the local fast food chains and some type of street meat from the sidewalk vendors, but Brooke with her public health expertise gave me a mini-lecture on the sanitation practices of street meat vendors, and I decided to hold off on that idea. Maybe once before I leave.

I've thought about going to KFC before - there's one I pass everyday on my way to the gym, and there's something about the smell of the Colonel's secret recipe at 5 in the afternoon that really makes my mouth water. The line usually scares me away though, no matter what time of the day it is, the line is usually out the door. Today seemed like a good for a treat.

I think violated some Namibian lunch-time norm by ordering chicken strips instead of the regular chicken pieces, because I had to wait at the counter for nearly ten minutes after placing my order, mouth watering while fried chicken and chips (the local word for fries) went flying off the counter. The twenty-minute walk (one way) and twenty minute wait in line were worth it... 3 crispy chicken strips, BBQ sauce, and a large salad (cole slaw) = lunchtime bliss. The only thing that could have possibly made it better was a massive fountain Diet Coke, but only Fanta and regular Coke cans in this KFC.

(Happy Birthday Dad!)