Workshop, STARTED!

Yes, we did start the workshop today! I'm rather sweaty and hot and definitely in need of a shower at the moment, but we have stopped off at the Ministry of Education for three of us to check our email (using one LAN-cable).

So I will write more about the workshop tonight and hopefully post it tomorrow or the day after. But for now, I have the first section of my Lonely Planet guide to Mlkl. Since it’s nearing dinner time, let’s start with Fine Dining:

Budget

I’ve been told there were, previously, a number of fine street-side dining kiosks until a few days ago, when the aforementioned tearing down of the market took place. Now, there remains only a handful of more “permanent” eating establishments. One of which is owned by a chap names James (or maybe it’s “Jamus” – hard to tell by the way folks pronounce his name here!). He employs a number of busy young men who will serve you cold sodas and water, and fry up some protein for you. You can have your protein served pretty much any way you like it: fried meat, grilled meat, fried whole fish, fried fish nuggets, ful beans with goat cheese, meat in sauce, fish in sauce, chicken in sauce. I recommend the grilled chicken – succulent and juicy, grilled to perfection with just the right amount of marinade. Seriously finger-linkin’ good chicken. (But don’t lick your fingers too much, since you never know what was in that water that you just washed them in!). James’ place is definitely the place to go for protein. But if fresh fruit or veg is what you’re after… well… um, maybe you should have stayed in Jb.

Don’t try speaking Arabic to the waiters (who look suspiciously like Eritreans), because they will answer you in English, “I don’t speak English”. Best leave any conversation or ordering to your colleagues.

To find James’ place, go down the tarmac road until you see the “Password Airlines” sign. Take a right down the single mud track. When you get to the first intersection where all the rickshaws hang out, cross the green algea filled ditch on one of the precariously balanced cement “bridges” where you see the men slapping meat on the coals. That’s James’ place. Definitely good value for the money.

High End

If you keep walking East from James’ Place for about 10 minutes, you will notice the new “Hotel”. The entrance is quite cleverly hidden on the North Side of the building. You may need to wander around the block a bit until you find it, much to the amusement of the locals who are enjoying their soda on the outside “terrace” of the building.

After trying to make yourself understood by the “security” guard at the front entrance, you will soon find yourself in a bit of a maze of glass doors, complete with cheap mirrored tint and little white pieces of paper declaring “office”, “restaurant” etc. The last door on the right will lead you to a small restaurant where office desks have been covered with table clothes to be turned into dining tables. However, the fans are brisk, and there is even A/C, so though you might be quite sweaty from the walk around the block to find the entrance, you will soon cool off.

There is quite an extensive menu, but make sure you ask what is actually available that day before getting your heart set on the cheeseburger.

Expect to pay Jb prices for fair food. However, the soda will be cold and cheap, and the service will be rendered with a smile, since I don’t think the waiters have much else to do, other than chat with you.