We gathered in the open air accommodations just as the sun slipped below the horizon and took its final rays of warmth. It was winter in Kenya, but mid to high 50s wasn't exactly cold for us, so we weren't quite as bundled up as the locals and definitely not prepared for the sudden chill of nightfall. Our host nudged a kettle of hot coals close to keep us toasty.
Once we were settled, waiting for the animals, the Dawa Doctor came calling. He prepared a drink for us, the Dawa, which is Kiswahili for medicine or health revival potion or something like that. It was our instant courage. Were we really going to be brave enough for this?
"Maybe we should have another drink while we wait," my friend suggested. Just as the words tumbled out, our needs had been anticipated and our glasses were filled once again.
"You are here for the game—the animals," our host said. "Tonight there will be the usual: ostrich, zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest, crocodile, impala, but there will be no giraffe this year. They are now protected." That was fine with us.
"Would you like to see them now?" he asked.
He led us through a flurry of activity. We began to feel very hot when we reached the Masaai swords skewered with fresh meat hanging over the flaming coals of the pit.
"How do you like?" he asked as he led us back to our places. We gathered around the table, our stomachs rumbling from a long day on safari with very little lunch.
"Your meat has come hot off the coals, you see. This one is the crocodile. It is delicacy," our waiter said as he circled the table slicing off thin pieces of meat to the ones fearless enough to nod their heads up and down. "The other meats will be coming around very soon.
"Please, we hope you enjoy your meal at Carnivores. Let us know if you need anything."
Tonight we were the diners---not the dinners.
Notes: The Dawa is potent and supposed to cure all ills, but it gave all of us the giggles and made us brave enough to taste most everything brought to our table. I'm not much of a drinker, but the mixture of vodka, honey, lime chunks, and ice with a honey-dipped bamboo stirring stick went down so smoothly. It was easy to forget the drinks were loaded with alcohol.
And crocodile? Yuck. It gave my jaws a workout and was a cross between chicken and oily fish.
Once we were settled, waiting for the animals, the Dawa Doctor came calling. He prepared a drink for us, the Dawa, which is Kiswahili for medicine or health revival potion or something like that. It was our instant courage. Were we really going to be brave enough for this?
"Maybe we should have another drink while we wait," my friend suggested. Just as the words tumbled out, our needs had been anticipated and our glasses were filled once again.
"You are here for the game—the animals," our host said. "Tonight there will be the usual: ostrich, zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest, crocodile, impala, but there will be no giraffe this year. They are now protected." That was fine with us.
"Would you like to see them now?" he asked.
He led us through a flurry of activity. We began to feel very hot when we reached the Masaai swords skewered with fresh meat hanging over the flaming coals of the pit.
"How do you like?" he asked as he led us back to our places. We gathered around the table, our stomachs rumbling from a long day on safari with very little lunch.
"Your meat has come hot off the coals, you see. This one is the crocodile. It is delicacy," our waiter said as he circled the table slicing off thin pieces of meat to the ones fearless enough to nod their heads up and down. "The other meats will be coming around very soon.
"Please, we hope you enjoy your meal at Carnivores. Let us know if you need anything."
Tonight we were the diners---not the dinners.
Notes: The Dawa is potent and supposed to cure all ills, but it gave all of us the giggles and made us brave enough to taste most everything brought to our table. I'm not much of a drinker, but the mixture of vodka, honey, lime chunks, and ice with a honey-dipped bamboo stirring stick went down so smoothly. It was easy to forget the drinks were loaded with alcohol.
And crocodile? Yuck. It gave my jaws a workout and was a cross between chicken and oily fish.
