Friday, August 29, 2008

Ordering Take Out

There are only two places that I know of, so far, that deliver take out food here in Uganda. Thinking it would be fun to try, Renee and I decided we'd order food from JJ's Cafe, not too far down the road. We were watching the two Atherstone boys while Jeff and Christine went to dinner and then small group. The boys had Mac&Cheese, but we wanted something else.
Here's how it went (I know it's long, but this is just a glimpse of the night!):
6:15pm I call JJ's Cafe to order food. After several minutes of confusion on the phone, trying to find out what is in the 3 different wraps, the only info I really got was that the chicken wrap has chicken, pineapple, chili, and fresh pineapple? hmm? me: "I'll call you back."
6:30pm Jeff and Christine were going to JJ's for dinner anyway, so they called us and read off the menu to us.
6:33pm I call JJ's again to order. Renee and I thought we'd make it simple by ordering cheeseburgers and chips (fries), but find out even that is not easy! me: "I would like to order some food to be delivered. We would like 2 cheeseburgers." response: "I'm sorry what was that?" me: "I would like to order 2 CHEESEBURGERS." response: "I'm not understanding you." me: "I would like to have 2 cheeseburgers. You know, hamburgers with cheese?" response: "Oh, you want a cheeseburger?"
*hang up*
6:35pm I call them again. Me: "Hello? Yes, did you get that? I want TWO cheeseburgers and TWO orders of chips." response: "So, you want TWO cheeseburgers and what?" (AAHH! I handed the phone to Renee to complete the order- which went on for several more minutes)
Ok, first part down- getting the order made. Although, we were still not 100% sure we were going to get what we ordered.
Then, next part- giving directions to the house...
6:40pm me: "We would like you to deliver it to Pastor Jeff's house from the Gaba Bible Institute. Do you know who he is?" response: "You want it at the Bible Institute?" me: "No. I am at Pastor Jeff's HOUSE." response: "The guest house?" me: "No. Pastor JEFF'S house. (We go back and forth like this several more times.) Ask Jenny to give you directions. She knows." response: "Who? Jenny?" me: "Yes, Jenny. As in Jeff and Jenny's Cafe- JJ's Cafe." response: "I'm sorry what was that?" (AAHH! I handed the phone to Renee to communicate with this guy who was obviously not understanding me.)
Renee: "Ask the boda drivers at Zebra Point in Bunga to tell you where the mzungus live. If they don't know it's on Lake View Close (name of street). How long will it be?" response: "About 30 minutes."
7:05pm Nothing
7:35pm Nothing
8:00pm Put boys to sleep. Maybe we should make ourselves a drink?!
8:30pm My phone rings. "Ok, I'm at at Gaba Lake View Hotel. Where can I find you?" Renee: "No. We are not at Gaba Lake View Hotel. We are in Bunga. The name of the STREET is Lake View Close. Go back to Zebra Point stage and ask the boda boda drivers for directions." (She repeated this at least 3 or 4 times before he understood we were not at the hotel in Gaba)
8:45pm My phone rings. "Ok, I'm at Zebra Point. Can you meet me in the middle." me: "No. Ask the boda drivers. You need to go up the hill and turn left. Then, the road curves around and..."
*hang up*
8:55pm My phone rings. "Ok, I'm at Happy Venture Primary School." me: "I don't know where that is." response: "You don't know?" me: "No. Did you turn left going up the hill from Zebra Point?" response: "Yes, I turned left (no he didn't- he only turned left to get to Zebra Point). (AAHH! I handed the phone to Renee again and let them go back and forth with directions)
9:05pm My phone rings and I let Renee answer. "Ok, I'm at Bambula at Zebra Point. Can you come get it?" Renee: "No. It is dark and it is dangerous for us. You need to come here, etc. etc."
9:20pm Our food finally arrives!!! Only a little over 2 hours late. Cold meat, hard cheese, soggy fries. mmm :(
If only all the streets had names, it may have worked out a little more smoothly. Maybe.

3 comments:

Becks Blog said...

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! Beth I laughed out loud soooo hard on this one!!! I hear ya on ordering take out in foreign countries! doesn't always work, but they are persisent, gotta give them that! I saw Christian yesterday, and gave him a big hug, made me miss ya.

Adam said...

HAHA!! I could totally hear you saying NO CHHEEESEBURGER!

Liz Thomson said...

Wow, this is absolutely amazing. I think I would have been gnawing off my own hand! :) Way to go on being adventurous though - way more adventurous than me! :)