mmmmmh...mussels!

Yesterday we ran out of canned food, and as our next trip to Mthatha is probably still far off we had to go collect mussels if we didn't want to eat plain rice tonight. These days it's low tide all the time and so the mussel collecting won't be such a problem as it was last time, when we got soaked from head to feet and a big wave almost swept me off the rocks. Besides, it was nice and cloudy and therefore not too hot, so off we went ... down to secret beach and scrambling up the rocks. The mussels grow here in millions and billions! I must actually take my camera next time, it's really quite a sight. In higher regions you find the small ones, and if you want big ones, you need to venture down the rocks to the surface of the water. Only problem is, the waves come splashing in constantly ... and the mussels hold on to the rocks quite stubbornly. So we cling to the rocks, one foot in the water, one hand ripping mussels off, and of course we get wet anyway. This time we collected two shopping bags half full of mussels, which is quite a lot. Then we have to carry them aaaaall the way back up to the hilltop ... and then, you need to steam these things so that they open, and then you crack them open and scratch the fleshy part out, and that stuff you can fry in the end to get it nice and tasty. But scratching all the fleshy parts out takes a hell lot of time ... so if any backpacker decides to have mussels for dinner, make sure you start collecting them around midday, or your dinner might happen after midnight ... At least now I know why mussels are so expensive: not because they are rare, but because to harvest and prepare them just takes too much time! But hey, time we've got plenty here, actually we make a point of having time, and anyway, a tasty mussel dinner is reward enough for all the bother. ;-)