Fire in the hole!

Have I told you the story where I almost set my hut on fire? I don't think so, here we go. I do have a sort of stove in my hut. It is a gas tank with a little burner on top. I think I will mainly be using it to boil water in the morning for my tea and oatmeal, possibly to make hard-boiled eggs for dinner. I'd like to think that eventually I will get more ambitious; however, my first stove experience was slightly on the terrifying side. It may take several weeks (or months) for me to get over. 

The first day I got to site, one of my sisters helped me put my little stove together. All looked well and good and I was happy to think that when I needed my stove, it would be ready to suit all of my culinary needs. I believe it was day four when I gave cooking (I use the term loosely, I really was just trying to boil water) a try. So, I lit my match, set it on the burner (I am really not a fan of hot things, especially fire), and turned the knob on the tank to light the burner. The next thing I know, there are flames three feet high shooting up out of my stove. Did I mention that I live in a hut with a roof made out of dry grass? I had visions of my entire hut going up in flames, along with all of the belongings I lugged over from America, leaving me homeless and penniless. 

Needless to say, I screamed. Shrieked, really. I'm sure that my entire compound heard me and thank god, because about 10 seconds later there were five people on my doorstep ready to save me. I think we figured out the problem (gas leak, I didn't screw something into the tank enough), and the next morning I made the best tasting cup of tea I've had in a while. I hope Africa will help me get over my fear of fire. 

Asalaa maalekum,

Rachel