AMALA AND EWEDU IN WARRI

Amala is a dish enjoyed by the Yorubas especially the Oyo people and it is generally served along side Ewedu. One of the major features of my lagos visits, is ensuring I have some before leaving. I looooove the dish, in fact there is one 'mama' at Sanya area of Surulere whose Amala/Ewedu just sits well with my taste buds. I am a natural food lover, so flavours and tastes are everything. I should be able to savour the taste of a good food and I should be able to tell distinctively the different flavours that give the meal its general taste. In reality, I practically 'listen' to my taste buds when I take any meal especially if I am having it for the first time. As a result of this, I have had so many dishes that aren't indigenous to where I come from. Oh God! I just love food!
So by now you all know I live in Warri and you will be wondering why on earth I chose to find Amala in Warri. Hmmm, my dear, I was passing one day o, then I saw a sign board that read Amala spot. I was very excited and immediately my hunger for Amala became intense. We have a lot of Yorubas living or doing business on my street, so I thought to myself, this Amala spot must be good, probably catering for the Yoruba community here. Two days after I saw that sign, I carried myself to the place and bought Amala and Ewedu.
First of all, the Amala wraps were so tiny, well, I said to myself that must be as a result of the cost down south. Then I settled down to eat it, a decision I still regret even as I write this. I do not know what specie of Ewedu she used to cook it, but it absolutely didn't taste like Ewedu. It wasn't slimy at all, the popular 'Iru' flavour was totally absent and the peppery taste that yoruba dishes are known for was completely missing. The only good thing about that meal was the Amala, it tasted and felt like Amala. I sincerely wish I asked for okro soup instead, I am sure I wouldn't have felt so bad. I felt like a child whose ice cream or favourite toy was taken from her, I was so disappointed.
Okay, I know you are thinking, 'what did she expect, it's the south-south'. Well, I expected that if a Yoruba woman decides to prepare a native dish in a community where she is sure there are other Yoruba people, she would do it right, even if it means receiving supplies from the South-West. There are Calabar kitchens scattered across this country, when you walk into them you are treated to a decent Calabar dish, that leaves you wondering why you haven't been able to make the same dishes even though you stay in the same town. There was a Yoruba woman in Uyo whose restaurant served strictly yoruba dishes and she did very well, was quite popular and had a large clientelle. I have eaten there before and I can boldly say she served Yoruba dishes,this woman on my street doesn't.

THE MRS AND RELOCATION

One of the most common things that happen to a wife is relocation. Some women move from their houses or parents' houses to join their husbands in the same city. Others are privileged to a higher calling of moving across states and cities (my case), some are even called to a more higher calling of moving across countries and continents...hmmm what marriage can do. No matter where a woman is relocating from to her husband's house, it always involves some level of adjustments. Adjustments which may take days, sometimes months before one properly fits in.
OK, here's the thing, I grew up in Calabar, and if you have ever visited that city you will understand what I am about to say. Calabar has always been  calm, peaceful and serene. I actually grew up in a government quarters somewhere in Calabar, where I always could hear birds chirp in the afternoon loud and clear. I am sure that is a luxury that my Lagos sisters can only read about and maybe do some dreaming on the subject. So, that was pretty much my environment-very serene. The residents of the city recognized the serene nature, so it rubbed off on their lifestyle, the way and manner they talked and approached issues. Things had to be very bad before it resulted in fights. An average Calabar man is what you will like to describe as the jolly, good fellow. He loves to have his fun and would not want to be robbed of it. He will therefore do all he can to avoid anything and I mean anything at all that can take away his fun from him. Having been raised in such an environment, imagine having to relocate to Warri to join my husband. Hmmm, a complete contrast to what I knew. I can assure you, it hasn't been easy at all but we are better than when we started. The way people are so ready to show you how wrong you are and how right they are, the way cursing is regarded as a joke ('na joke nah'). I remember the day I heard two friends talk, apparently, one was very ill and was just recovering, so the other came on a visit. The first thing that came out of the visiting friend's mouth was: "Guy, u never die, I tink say as I come so na ur corpse I wan come see". I was very alarmed, only for the sick friend to reply laughingly "thunder fire ur mama" and they both laughed. My blood almost dried up. I looked around and noticed that I was the only one who found anything wrong with what happened. So I straightened up and whispered to myself :we learn everyday.

The restiveness of the youths got me worried, everyone is just prepared for any trouble. They arent afraid, instead, they just prepare themselves for uncertainties. That is one thing I am learning, it's a good thing even though it has bad roots. I think most people in this town are still trying to rid themselves of the scars of the crisis of the nineties,so it rubs off on their lifetyles. I am still learning to adapt to this place, trusting God for it.

WHOLE FRUITS OR FRUIT JUICES

I am one person who believes in healthy living and to achieve that, fruits are a common feature in my menu. However, I was raised by a mother who made drinks and loves drinks too. She made 'Punch', yoghurt, Chocolate drinks, and even some traditional drinks like 'Kunu' and 'Zobo'. Growing up in that house as the first child, I learned to make the drinks and then I learned to create new ones from existing ones. I found out early in life that I just enjoyed the burst of flavours when two drinks were combined so I did some unimaginable things that my dear mum never got to know. Some tasted right, some were plain bland while others were...smh. One experience I will never forget is the day I attempted to make a juice from African Star Apple (agbalumo or udara). Hmmmm, my mother's blender has an indelible mark as a result of that experiment. I would therefore advise that you don't try this at home. After this experience, I took a long break off creating drinks or juices.

HOW PLENTY IS THE HOUSEWIFE'S PLENTY TIME?

It is often said that wives especially young ones prefer or are mandated by their husbands to remain housewives until the childbearing and nurturing stage is passed. This is done because it is believed it will afford them time, plenty of time actually to take care of the children, clean the house, care for her husband's needs and still have time to rest.
By the grace of God, I am a housewife for now, though I am trusting that the status changes soon as I dont prefer it and my husband is very worried about it. However, I am grateful to God for the privilege of being one, so that when I cross into being a career wife, I will appreciate the status and also have an understanding of what those housewives do. I dont have children yet, so there is no feeding the baby or 'school runs' to do. Neither do I have to scream out my vocal chords at two children to break up their fight while trying to prepare dinner (I fear for my neigbour's vocal chords!). I have come to know now that a wise housewife doesnt exactly have as much time as it seems especially with the children and all.

WELCOME

I'm sure you are wondering "Oh not again, another blog? must everyone blog?" Well I asked myself that question. I have been wondering what to do with the plenty time on my hands these days and of course the natural thing was to blog. Especially with my change of status(just recently got married*winks*) and I found out that talking is a natural thing with me. I would have talked my eventful days away but I am at home alone most times so I would not want neighbors to express their fears of living close to a mad woman. And when hubby is home, he really needs the rest. So I implore u to be my audience and let me just chat away. Thanks and God bless.