Meat night

Hello Web Wanderers,

Tonight was meat night in the boys' house. After our last trip to Dhapasi, Tom decided that meat night was something he wanted to do for the boys' once a week. I wish he was here to share it with them. It is a highly anticipated evening, and when the meat was ready, they was an excited hush as the boys ate their fill of meat.

It is not often that this group of boys are quiet, they are all so full of spirit; but here we were at meat night and everyone was concentrating very hard of getting every last bit of meat off the bones.

For you foodies out there, Nepali chicken is totally free range. And by that, I mean they run up and down hills foraging for food. This means the meat is rather on the tough side. Also, when you buy it from the butcher, he or she will chop this chicken into bite-sized pieces. It is an amazing process to watch but for a foreigner, the chicken gets a little tricky to eat and work around the little pieces of bones. It is all incredible, wholesome fun.

The most important part is that the boys love it and as Vinod puts it, "It's in my blood!" Vinod or Sabita didi always make this wonderful curry base with tomatoes and onions to cook the chicken in. I believe the base changes every week, which just adds to the excitement of the evening.

Since all of you know how much I enjoy my food and cooking, it was just so joyous to watch them savour every mouthful.

As the boys' and volunteers all share the same home, and have meals at the house, we have requested that if they wish to join in meat night, there is a charge of 150 rps (just under US$2). If they are vegetarian, there of course are other meal options for them.

Sending you much, much love, and going to bed with a happy stomach,

Fi