You would think that as a farm girl I would be more brave when “knowing where the food comes from.” I know that chocolate milk does not come from brown cows and nicely packaged boneless, skinless meat does not grow in the garden. But how often do you really think about the process that needs to happen in order to have your food in that form.
So our team was given the gift of 2 chickens on our way back from work on Friday. There is a very warm and welcoming woman that invited us to her house for chai and chapatis. And we left with our bellies full and two tied up chickens. One tried to make a run for it, out of the truck just as we were leaving so I had to chase it down and tackle it. On our next stop it again took off and Winnie (other intern) and I chased it through the compound and I trapped it under my leso (wrap skirt). We again confirmed the beliefs of the people in our housing area since we were screaming and running in between houses trying to get the chicken- man, they can run fast, even with their legs half tied.
It turns out that isn’t really a good thing for me to have a 3 hour drive back home to Mombasa- that is enough time to get emotionally attached. And once you have named them they aren't just some chickens but become more like pets...So here is Cha & Kula. (chakula= food) I was trying to prepare myself and be brave and make light of the situation...
So… in the end I wasn’t able to help the chickens go “missing.” (despite my threats of this and advocacy by hiding the box) They then met their end this evening and me trying to be brave... it was like watching a scary movie when you are interested but don't really want to see what is going to happen so you watch through the spaces between your fingers or the holes in the blanket. But, I have to remind myself that this is necessary in order for us to have food.
I guess I have been living in the city too long…
Well, I better sign off- Cha-Kula is now ready- literally. Off to go eat!
(by the way, I couldn’t bring myself to eat the chicken.)
I will spare you from the "other" pictures that I took around this incident.
3 comments:
Are you saying you were being a chicken about the chicken?!!
Seriously though, I would have difficulty with it too. I went fishing one time and I just couldn't bring myself to wacking the fish over the head... someone else had to do it.
I hope you are well! You are very missed.
Lisa
Hi Tree,
Remember when we had veal calves? We fed them milk out of a bucket and then they just disappeared. Still, there was a disconnect between animals and food on a plate.
(Un)fortunately, I can no longer be disconnected (sigh). Please don't make me eat chickens that we've made friends with!!!!
I'm going to pack my backpack full of Luna bars and I'll live off them for two weeks! :)
that's a shame that you missed out. there is nothing in the world like fresh chicken. well, except for maybe fresh pork- but you don't want to listen to a pig being slaughtered. it's a horrible sound.
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