Foooooood

Well I'm now 2 and a half months into my African adventure and I think it's safe to say the honeymoon phase is over. I definitely still see new things all the time and I don't think that will ever end, but I think its safe to say I'm settled down and am pretty much comfortable with everything. But, with that sense of settling down, it does start to feel a little more permanent and I've begun to realize there are certain things I'm really starting to miss. One thing that's certainly near the top of that list is food. As comfortable as I've gotten with most things here (like watching people pee in the streets and sell alligators on the side of the road), one thing that hasn't become my new normal is the food here. My stomach has just not adjusted. I'm not sure exactly what it is... maybe the processed food I'm used to in the states, poor quality of meat here, or maybe how they handle the food here, which I truly don't ever want to witness... I don't know. But something about the food in Nigeria still doesn't sit quite right with me. Well, I say I'm not used to the food, but what I am used to is having an upset stomach at least once a day, so I guess in some ways I'm adjusting. I've grown accustomed to stomach pains, more frequent trips to the bathroom (TMI? sorry), and popping Pepto Bismol more often the last two months than I have the previous 24 years of my life. Originally, I thought it would go away with time, but that hasn't happened yet. It's not terrible, gut-wrenching pain or anything, just a near-constant uncomfortableness.

Anyone that knows me knows that my usual diet consists of roughly 75% fast food and take-out, give or take. This has led to some intense fast-food withdrawals recently. In the last couple weeks I've literally woken up in the middle of the night on separate occasions dreaming about Chipotle or Chick-fil-a. My mouth waters at the thought of Schlotzky's, Whataburger, or really any sub sandwich. I cannot express enough how much I'm looking forward to this glorious reunion when I return to the states in a few short months. Sad, I know. But it is what it is. In Nigeria the only meat that is really safe enough to eat that they have in abundance is chicken. I literally eat chicken about 10 times a week I'd say. 

I leave for Europe now in T-minus 11 days and I've already begun planning what kinds of meals I'll be having there. I know it's not a lot of the same joints we have in the states, but I don't even care. I'm just beyond excited for a steak, hamburger, or really any kind of beef that's not chewy, and hopefully some good sandwiches. I'm going to have to get enough good eating in my week and a half in Europe to hold me over for the rest of my stay in Africa... 

Footnote: I know how backwards it sounds that my two previous posts were about people living severely impoverished lives yet being so happy and then I follow up by whining about how I miss fast food. It's kind of pathetic. But it's just what's on my mind and at least I recognize it...right? No? Maybe this is just a great lesson in humility for me. God bless those people. 

Also, don't get me wrong, I still miss my family and friends way more than the food. This isn't number one on my list.