Turning 30 Burkina styles

I have to admit I had a slight turning 30 crisis, but am now embracing the idea and so far enjoying this new phase. For my birthday I organized a small party at our favourite Maquis. I invite just a few close friends, but still the number grew to 15-20 people by the time the evening was through. Here when you organize a party you pay for everything, food and drinks, there is no chance in having a potluck or BYOB. People expect to eat and drink well!

Luckily for me I had a friend Delphine come over in the evening to help with preparing the food, and then when the mom came home from the market the true cooking adventure began! Delphine and I cut and grated vegetables, pounded parsley and garlic in the mortar and followed orders! The mom took control of the kitchen, definitely her domain, and got us through the cooking in little time. So 2.5 liters of oil later, a tonne of salt, 3 kg of rice couscous and 2kg of Atieke, one tomato based sauce and fried “saga sogo” (sheep’s meat) we were then ready to quickly shower and get changed for the party!

Martial, a good friend who works at the Maquis had reorganized the tables and covered them with Guiness posters as table clothes. He had pre chilled a case of coke/fanta and a case of beer that we had order and was playing great music (as always) when we arrived in a car full of the whole family and all the food. (No one worrying that we were 7 people in the car with no seat belts). We soon took over the Maquis talking, laughing and eating. I can say that I definitely over ate! My friends spoiled me with little gifts, which they really didn’t need to buy. We danced a little on the street; Ibrahem (7 years old) wearing a suit, was having a great time being out with all the adults and was dancing up a storm. All of our left over food was given to a group of young guys making tea not far from the Maquis and we made sure to dish out 2 meals for the guards that sit all night watching the corner store. Nothing was wasted!

I’m starting to think that being 30 is not going to be so bad after all...