As soon as I learned that “Coming 2 America” would be released on a platform that I didn’t have, I promptly invited myself to a friend’s house to watch it. My nickname for her is “Third Mother.” She’s after my real mother and an older sister who’s always thought of herself as my mother. So, yes, I was not at all ashamed about my invitation.
I remember 30 years ago when “Coming to America,” came out. My favorite scene then, remains my favorite scene now: Prince Akeem mopping the floor. During the course of my international math and science teaching career, I’d taught students who were also very removed from such plebeian chores cleaning. Quite different from my own upbringing.
Once Third Mother extended the official movie-watching invitation, I researched where to pick up African food.
The beauty of Prince Akeem being from the fictional land of Zamunda, meant I could choose any African restaurant; so, I looked for one that was open on a Saturday and en route to my friend’s house. An Ethiopian place fit the criteria. Bonus: They sold honey wine. Since Third Mother and I usually bring over a bottle wine to each other’s place, along with food, we could try something special for the occasion. Plus, I wondered if this Ethiopian honey wine tasted similar to a Tanzanian honey mead I used to drink called wanzuki.
I joined Peace Corps after my college graduation. One of the funniest questions I was asked was if I’d come to Tanzania because of “Coming to America.” As if! No movie’s ever had that much influence upon my life.
Third Mother prepared her delicious charcuterie board: green olives, three types of cheeses, mixed nuts and sliced pepperoni.
Although I could’ve requested a platter and arranged the Ethiopian appetizers as attractively as her board, we kept everything in its to go packaging and dug in.
The beauty of a simple tomato salad tossed with a spicy dressing and feta cheese perfectly contrasted with the warm appetizers.
I’d expected to have injera with this spicy lentil dip, rather bread that had the taste and texture of pita. Still delicious.
Rounding out the African flavors, spinach sambusas. My palate doesn’t know the difference between sambusas and samosas.
My palate doesn’t know the difference between sambusas and samosas. I just know delicious when I taste it.
I paired my first plate of Ethiopian food with my first glass of tej. Heaven!
Thank God the tej was better than “drinkable.”
Thank God the tej was better than “drinkable.” Even though I’m a red wine wino, I had to finish off that Ethiopian wine since it cost more than double my usual boxed wine. Yes, I’m cheap and don’t believe in wasting money, but it does help tremendously when I like what I’m consuming.
And yes, “Coming 2 America” was entertaining with spectacular costuming.