Goat on a Rope

Cathie and her husband Michael (pictured above tonight at dinner) are full of stories.

At dinner tonight Michael decided to try some goat, and Ather (the fourth member of our little group) asked if there was any rope in the meal (which, I am told, was very tasty). This little remark was directed at me, a ridiculously soft-hearted person who, although not a vegetarian (yet), can not eat anything she has seen alive (including fish), and is happiest believing that meat comes from the store, wrapped in cellophane.

Apparently Cathie once asked what she would bring to someone's house as a hostess gift if invited to dinner here in Uganda. She was told "oh nothing - you are a guest!" numerous times, until finally the person said, "well, you could bring food, but you would have to bring it three days in advance so I could prepare it." This brought a questioning look from Cathie, who was then challenged to maintain her best neutral smile when it was clarified, "you know, goat on a rope!"

The story teller eventually let her off the hook by laughing and saying, "or you could bring a bottle of wine. We like the Western way too!"

I haven't been able to look a the cute little frolicking goats in the field the same way since...