let the food cravings begin

There’s an ingenious food here called rolex which is basically an omlet wrapped in a flatbread called chapatti. They cost around 1000 shillings, 50 cents, but I’d easily pay double which is saying something if you knew how much a dollar could get you in Uganda.

During Peace Corps training most of my calories were taken in the form of rolex but I’ve yet to find a rolex stand at my site. Of course I could try to make one on my own but I suspect it would be like eating microwave popcorn when you really want movie theater popcorn or even worse, eating off brand cocoa puffs with a kangaroo on the bag.

Aside from rolex cravings I’ve been dreaming of venti pumpkin spice lattes but the closest I can get here is a cup of instant coffee and a bowl of boiled pumpkin. Back in Portland I remember spending $3.50 nearly every day on coffee…this is what the same amount can get you in Uganda:

1 rolex
+
1 Eagle
(the best beer here)
+
4 giant avocados
(I’d suspect growth hormones but it’s just incredibly fertile here)
+
5 tomatoes
+
A bottle of chili sauce
(a necessity here because the food is quite bland)
+
30 minutes of internet
(just enough time to upload a photo on a good day)
+
A stick of roadside meat
+
A decent looking shirt or sweater at the Saturday market

I swear I’m going to be so cheap when I come home. I’m going to be one of those women who save wrapping paper and take classes on how to crotchet your own underwear. So if I find myself back in Portland at least I know I’ll fit in.