New Series: What Can you do With $1USD in Namibia - KAPANA!!!

Life as a Peace Corps Volunteer has got to be one of the richest experiences of my life, but it is a life definately lived on a budget considering that we are, well volunteers. This doesn't mean we can't splurge once in a while and spend a dollar here or there for a treat. Where a US dollar can (sometimes) get you something off a dollar menu (with out tax) in the States there's also some treats that Namibia has for only $1.00USD!

So as I write this post right now the currency exchange rate is $1.00USD to $15.40NAM

The very first goodie I want to introduce to you is:

 Kapana!!!

Let me start off by saying my name is Jamie, and I am a kapana addict. Wooo glad I got that off my chest. Are we still together? Good I'm glad there's no judgement. Kapan is a style of bried (BBQ) meat made over an open flame. I use to be a vegetarian for a long time so I never foresaw myself loving a piece of meat so much, but this stuff, its good. maybe it the woody smoke taste. Maybe its the seasonings. Or Maybe its the atmosphere of it all but this is definitely a MUST experience should you ever find yourself in Namibia.

In my shopping town of Rundu next to a gas station where many taxis sit and wait for cars to fill up with passengers to drive to distance village lies a strip of "grills" where various people sell bit size pieces of meat for $1NAM each. These Kapana grills are also in other parts of the country but I typically go to the one in my shopping town because of convience. When I'm really hungry, $15 is the meal but there are options with in the corner area. Right across the street is a gas station where you can buy one can of cool drink (Coke, Sprite, water, juice, Stoney's Ginger beer) for about $5.25NAM for a small can.

This gives the options of:

15 pieces of meat

-or-

10 pieces of meat and 1 small drink.


And there you basically have lunch! This typically is my lunch when I come to town, not going to lie. The vendors compete a bit by sometimes having special spices available. I tend to go to the same "Meme" (motherly figure) because when she sees me she greets me with a big smile and says "Hi Tena" while already grabbing crushed chile flakes. I love spicy, the spicier the better. What can I say, I grew up in New Mexico. You basically order water there and they ask you the infamous question: Red or Green? Life is meant to be lived with chile. When my friends and I share kapana I'm not allowed to be in charge of chile flake add-ons or everyones mouth lights on fire.


When you walk up to the strip of Kapana grills they will start saying "Customer Customer, come taste" Feel free to walk to a couple and try the meats they have. 99% of the time its beef, but sometimes its goat. In other parts of the country I hear they also offer dog and donkey. I haven't tried dog, but donkey is good. After you pick the person who fits your fancy just tell them how many pieces you'd like then you can either eat them piping hot off the grill, or get them wrapped in a new paper and continue on your way. Don't forget to add some seasoning though ;) That's the good stuff!

KAPANA!!!

The plate of spice where you dip your meat. This train has salt, "spice" and chile flakes

The other vendors preparing their meat.

This is my go-to Meme. :) She rocks!

Fresh Kapana. The lighter pieces are the fat, which are free (if you like the fat).

The grills are made of old tire rims and metal screening. The fire is made with freshly cut wood. I swear that is part of what creates the flavor.