In South Africa, it is COLD! There is no central heating and I'm so ready for springtime. Traffic is on the other side of the road, and I'm still getting used to that especially when it comes to crossing the street. Along with the rest of the world, South Africa uses the metric system - so temperatures, lengths, measurements, and food packaging labels are all pretty meaningless. There are drinks called tizers, which are sparkling grape and apple juices. They are delicious.
Cape Town is really unique I think because it is both a coastal and mountainous city; it is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and encompasses Table Mountain as part of the Table Mountain Range. Last weekend I climbed Table Mountain with 5 other students and it was incredibly challenging but also a lot of fun. Today I climbed Lion's Head, which is a smaller mountain next to Table Mountain. Both provided incredibly beautiful views of the city and ocean; I'll put up some pictures later.
I've begun my internship at Tafelsig Clinic in Mitchell's Plain. Tafelsig is a city clinic providing all kinds of free services to the people of Tafelsig, a section of the larger township of Mitchell's Plain. Because the people in the area are living in poverty, much of the health problems are results of very poor conditions. Mitchell's Plain is the largest Coloured township in Cape Town, home to about 900,000 people. The clinic sees over 500 people a day, and only 1 doctor works there. It is chaotic and crowded and unlike any health care facility I've ever seen in the States. The people speak Afrikaans mostly (or at least that's their language of choice) which definitely makes it hard for me to know what's going on. I think I'll just be watching nurses, or "sisters" as they are referred to, and getting a feel for how Tafelsig works for the first part of my internship. I hate to feel useless though, and hope that soon I'll actually be able to help.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Sweet Potato Burritos
ReplyDelete3 tsp. oil
1 onion chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced(or buy the jar already minced)
6 cups kidney beans drained
2 cups water
3 tbls chili powder
3 tbls soy sauce
4 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
12 (10 inch) tortillas, warmed
8 ounces shredded cheddar
preheat oven to 350
heat oil in skillet, then saute onion & garlic
gradually stir in water and heat
remove from heat and stir in chili powder and soy sauce and beans
divide bean mixture and mashed sweet potatoes evenly between the tortillas, top with cheese
fold up burrito style
bake for 10 mintues and serve
African Vegetable Stew
ReplyDelete1 onion chopped
1 bunch swiss chard
1 can garbanxo beans
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup any long grain rice, uncooked
several fresh tomatoes-chopped
1 clove of garlic minced
2 sweet potatoes-peeled and sliced
salt and pepper to taste
Saute in oil onion, garlic and white stems of chard until limp-use a large pot that has a lid
add chopped green parts of chard and saute
add sweet potato slices, continue to stir
add garbanzos, raisins, tomatoes, salt and pepper
cook a couple of minutes to blend well
make a well in the center of the mixture and put the rice in the well, pat it down until it is wet
cover and cook until rice is done, about 25 minutes
Asparagus Quiche
ReplyDeleteI frozen pie crust
1 tbls butter softened
10 spears of asparagus
1 cup of havarti or monterey jack cheese shredded
3 eggs
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
heat oven to 425 degrees
take pie crust from freezor
spread butter in the bottom of the crust
cut off bottom 2 inches of asparagus and discard
cut remaining asparagus in 1/2 inch lengths and spread evenly in crust
sprinkle cheese evenly over
in small bowl combine the eggs, whipping cream, salt and pepper, mix well
slowly pour over the cheese in the crust
bake for 15 mintues
reduce over heat to 325 degrees
bake about 20 minutes more, it could take a little longer, a knife inserted in the center should come out clean.
Roasted Chicken
ReplyDelete1 whole chicken
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. paprika
3/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
Clean and dry the chicken, removing all of the giblets, etc. bagged inside
combine all of the spices
rub the chicken as evenly as you can with the spice mixture
Put the chicken in a large plastic bag and tie shut. Refrigerate overnight.
Roast uncovered at 250 degrees for 5 hours.
Baste off and on with the juices.
Brenna, I am not sure if these recipes are too involved and time consuming. Let me know and I can try some others. I won't send more until I see what you think.
ReplyDeleteYour work sounds overwhelming. You are not useless: you are there and learning and your presence is a gift. Try to be patient with yourself and the experience.
I hope you are taking good care of yourself, AND having some fun. Love, Sue