Dinner at Ralim

Last Sunday (Sept. 9th) Jessica invited me to go to dinner with herself, her fiance Ferenkeh, Mercy (International Relations Director), and my neighbor Francisca (a visiting professor from Nigeria). She did not tell me where we were going for dinner – and I did not care. I was just happy to get out and experience something new. Dinner was at a nightclub-type place just outside of town – a beautiful building (a hotel). There were mostly young people there (20’s) – all dressed like models from a hip magazine. The music was mostly of the rap genre like I would expect to hear when I’m taking a road trip with my son, Noah. Not my favorite – and it was loud. But it was fun watching the young people dance and interact. There is a pool in the same area so some people were in the pool just floating and talking. Seating was mostly outside, but you could sit inside if you wanted. It was raining pretty hard before we left, but had stopped for a bit so we sat outside.

You choose your drinks by walking over to a glass cooler (as you would find at the grocery store) and seeing what they have and then you tell your waiter what you want and he brings it over. Most people just know what they have, but I needed to see the selection before deciding. I also needed some instruction as the only brand I was familiar with was Heineken (and I don’t think I’ve ever tried it). You could also get wine, but you would have to buy a whole bottle and I already have an open bottle at home. I ordered a “Star” beer on Jessica’s advice. A good call. Just your basic light beer. When they bring your beer (a glass bottle), they bring it with a tissue over the cap and then open the cap with a bottle opener over the tissue. I’m assuming it is just so you can wipe off the bottle top once it’s opened, but I’m not sure. I’ll ask another time.

There were just a few options for dinner, which I like. Too many options makes it hard to make a decision (for me, anyway). I ordered shrimp with couscous. The other protein option was chicken and the other side options were chips (fries) and fried rice. It started raining again so we went inside for our meals. The food was very spicy, as usual, and way too much food for me, as usual, but it was tasty – and I was hungry.

After dinner we went back outside (rain stopped again) and had another drink (water for me) and listened to the music, watched the young people dance, and chatted.

It was a lovely evening and it was nice to be invited. I look forward to going again.