Friday, May 2, 2014

The bush brai

We ate out under the stars last night with only the light of candles and fire.  We had what they call a traditional 'bush brai,' which is basically a starlight BBQ.  The site where we ate was fenced and patrolled by a park guard armed with a rifle.  There was no electricity, although there was an outhouse (lit by candlelight!).  The park staff cooked up chicken and beef, both with an amazing spicy sauce.  We also had salad and pasta and some amazing homemade bread.  We had the traditional pap with tomato-onion sauce, plus grilled root vegetables.  We also had the chance to try the traditional South African cream liqueur, Amarula.  Marula fruits are eaten by elephants, and supposedly, sometimes the elephants get tipsy if the fruits have gotten overripe.  Amarula liqueur tastes like Bailey's but is slightly fruity.  

After our incredible dinner, we stopped on our way back and just sat quietly in the dark in our safari vehicle.  There is so little light pollution and the skies were so clear, we could see the actual Milky Way.  It was gorgeous.  Around us we could here insects and birds and the rustle of small animals in the woods.  The air was clean and crisp and smelled of fresh grass and some kind of gentle flower.  It was really powerful and incredibly peaceful.  


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