Africa Breakfast Club Nicaragua Style

It's the first time since we arrived here that anyone has invited us to brunch. M & E is serving brunch at their place for 10 people tomorrow. I surmise that this will partly be E's farewell brunch for his close friends. He's leaving for another post in August but will have to say his goodbyes early because everyone will be out of the country in June & July for summer vacation.

We've met the most wonderful people in our Salsa and Tango class and the challenges in learning these oh so Latino moves has brought us as close as friends sharing a common burden can get - we see each other minimum twice a week with official functions and otherwise in between. So yes, close friends.

And partly because it was Bagel day at the US Embassy this Wednesday or Thursday. I'm not sure how many times a month they have these Bagel days but it only means that Bagels are delivered fresh from the baker (that specifically caters to the American community) at the embassy. I'm guessing E bought a good 2 months supply.

There's something about sharing a cup of freshly brewed coffee, eggs, waffles, bacon, etc with friends early (enough) in the morning with your eyes still feeling sandy (Mr. Sandman is that you?), I find really cozy. It's something you do only with friends you are comfortable with. Comfortable about being seen at your worse (okay, my worse).

This invite has made me nostalgic for the Sunday brunches we used to have in Nairobi. These brunches (no one offers Masai jumping lessons unlike Tango and Salsa here) kick started our social life and has nurtured deep friendships.

We had this brunches every other Sunday at Java House at 10am or later - when we can, really. In the beginning of 2003, we can be found at Java House in Adam's Arcade about 15 minutes from where we lived (Riverside Park, Nairobi)

and afterwards, around 2005 at the Junction Mall (newly built at that time), which was closer to where we all lived (no more than 10 mins to get there).

I miss the wonderful atmosphere, friendly professional staff, great affordable breakfast and great coffee Java House offered at reasonable prices and in gigantic servings. Good food, good coffee, great company to end your weekend and start you right on another grueling week, what else can you ask for.

For reminiscing purposes, I looked up our favorites at the Java House website.

Full Java breakfast: V's favorite KES 380 ($6)
2 Eggs (any style)
Toast
Homefries
Choice of bacon, ham or sausage (beef or pork) -

Steak & Eggs: T's favorite KES 480 ($7.66)
2 Eggs (any style)
Toast
Fillet Steak (w/salsa)

Mushroom Basil Cheddar Omelet: My favorite KES 340 ($5.40)
served with Toast & Homefries


Huevos Rancheros: Another one of T's favorite if the above doesn't fill him up KES 440 ($7)
2 Eggs (any style)
Spicy Ranchero Sauce
Melted Cheddar
Flour Tortilla
Refried Beans
Guacamole
Touch of Homefries
Sour Cream (Additional KES 80 or $ 1.30)

And of course there's the fluffy Pancakes....
2 served with Butter Maple Syrup - KES 300 ($5)
Banana Walnut Pancakes - KES 360 ($5.75)
Add Ice Cream (yum) - KES 100 ($1.60)

and Waffles
Golden Crispy Waffle served with Butter Maple Syrup - KES 280 ($4.50)
Banana Walnut Waffle - KES 320 ($5)
Add Ice Cream - KES 100 ($1.60)

We have our Pancakes and Waffles days when we just crave for them.

We thought about duplicating the activity here in Nicaragua, but no one (including us) really wants Gallo Pinto (typical Central American breakfast - rice & red beans, fried egg, local white salty cheese and toast - commonly served in restaurants here) on Sundays or any mornings for that matter. We can have it at anytime of the day if we want to.

The only places that serve pancakes (or American breakfast) for breakfast are Kathy's Waffle House and Giraffe Joe's at Zona Hippo. The only problem is, besides the fact that they are not at par with the Java House quality and prices are the same if not more, Kathy's is in Granada which is a good 45 minutes away from Managua while Giraffe Joe, although in Managua stops serving breakfast at 10 am. We're not willing to compromise a few more hours of precious sleep on Sunday mornings for what we can get there.

Depending on what we agree with the others tomorrow, we will suggest that we do this at least once a month and just do it ourselves. We'll take turns hosting it - if we're not out of town (Managua is really boring on weekends). A few butt kicks here and there should get us going.

Images courtesy of Java House Nairobi

Ok, I don't know why part of this post's font is in black...I've tried to change it many times to no avail (sigh).