Ugandan Celebration Night - GOLD!!!!!

The Olympics came to an amazing close with Uganda winning Gold in the marathon.  Not only that, but the Ugandan anthem was sung in the closing ceremony for all to hear.  We sang it loud and proud in this house!  I text my friends in Uganda to say how pleased and proud we were.  They replied saying they were sure I was a Ugandan at heart even if I wasn't born a Ugandan.  I think I'll agree to that one.

So this Gold, gave us the reason we needed for a Ugandan cultural night.  We invited family and friends around and did all things Ugandan!  Lutaaya and I spent the day preparing for our Ugandan feast.  We cooked all day, coming up with some Ugandan delicacies including matoke, chapatti, rice, beans, irish potatoes and mandazis for dessert.  Our house was decorated with Ugandan flags and a Ugandan quiz was all ready for entertainment.

Matoke

Our friends arrived and we cracked open the passion fruit juice.  Ugandan music played in the bacground and a good time was had by all.  It was wonderful chatting about our previous trips and planning the next - oh yes there will be one in the near future so look out if you're interested in joining us and get in touch.

Food was served and in all the frantic serving, I forgot to take photos.  So you'll have to take my word on the fact we made all the Ugandan food and served everyone.  Everyone tried the food.  Some failed, while other forced it down and then there were the few who LOVED it!  I need to sign those up for the next trip!!

Lutaaya loved tasting her national dishes again and loved having our house full of people.  She seriously would have a house full every night given the chance.  She hummed along to the music and smiled all night long.

The time cooking made me admire the Ugandan women.  They have such few material things and yet prepare a feast each day.  Their kitchens are far from the cooker and oven I have, and yet they prepare things with ease. 

A typical Ugandan kitchen

They have social time in their kitchens and truly are the heart of the community and each family.  There is always enough to go around in Uganda and to feed those who arrive last minute - which always amazes me!

The ladies preparing lunch for the parent day at the school

No one is left hungry and the hospitality is amazing!  In the past I have arranged parent days and a village primary school and the women in the village have had to cook for 800+.  Without a grizzle or a groan they make the feast happen.  Huge pots and pans come into play and within a few hours lunch is served.  
These women amaze and inspire me.  They prove that there are no limitations to providing for others and show me an excellent example of serving others. 

The washing up - the work never stops!