Off the hook?
Trip Start
Jan 05, 2009
1
30
43
Trip End
May 14, 2009
Dodoma,
Tanzania
Monday, March 16, 2009
An issue with the dinner truck meant that it was going to arrive late. This meant that I was off the hook for dinner. I organized dinner for the crew through the hotel where we were camped. "70 people, they eat a lot" I told the manager, "we need an all you can eat buffet, is it possible?". He assured me it was, and I enjoyed my new found leisure time exploring the market and stocking up.
I returned to the hotel and enjoyed a couple bevies. 1 hour before dinner time I decided to check on the chef to see how dinner was coming. It went downhill from there. I forgot to mention that our crew, while numbering 70, actually eats like 140 (at least). I'm yet to do a calorie count but it would be interesting. What the chef had prepared was woefully inadequate. "You need twice this" I told him. We set to cooking up more rice and vegetables, as the clock ticked on.
"how many kilos of meat did you cook?" I asked
"8 kilo including bones"
"These people will eat 14 kilo without bones I promised him"
We did our best given the time and managed to prepare enough food to avoid an all out riot.
But it was tense as we served much smaller than normal portions to each rider. Everyone hovering waiting for the second round. Everyone eying each others plates, ensuring that no one got more than their fair share.
In the end it worked out, and I learned a valuable lesson.
