Rustling up some grub

     Some of the more interesting things that you see in the developing world are on the side of the road.  In the US, we drive along and don't really see what is on the side of the road unless it is something pretty unusual.  If there is an accident, a particularly garish sign or something that effects the flow of our traffic, we might pick it out.  But usually, we drive right past whatever is on the side of the road without giving it a second thought.  However, it can be different in the developing world, especially on your first or second trip to the developing world.

     Here, everything that you see is different from what you would expect in the US.  The buildings, often right on the road, are of an entirely different style.  Security is usually at a premium and there may be many abandoned or poorly repaired buildings.  The people will be carrying unusual loads, often on their heads.  You will pass wildly overloaded vehicles, often with people hanging on to the cargo area.  Yesterday, I even saw a small group of goats, tied up in sacks with their heads sticking out on the roof of a car, bleating as the car drove down the road.  Probably on the way to the market or dinner.

     In the cities, there are many areas of slow traffic and these usually turn into the developing world equivalent of a convienience market.  Anything that someone might need can usually be purchased while you wait at a traffic slowdown.  Recharge cards for your phone, cold drinks, grooming articles and street food are some of the more common items for sale.  The food can be interesting from a developing world perspective.  You can buy raw sugar cane cut up into foot long sticks that you can suck on and chew for the sugar.  There are various baked breads, fruits and meat pastries.  Yesterday we were approached by a person with bags of succulent grubs suspended in a clear liquid.  When I asked about them, I was told that they were harvested from the bark of palm trees and the liquid is some sort of sauce.  Usually they are served fried.  I know insects can be part of the diet in Uganda and I have had fried grasshoppers there.  However today, I didn't feel up to trying these grubs.  Maybe next time, or maybe not.