I’m studio #24!

LATEST FOOD FIND IN SANTA FE
a new restaurant called
JAMBO CAFE
OWNED BY AHMED OBE

AHMED IS FROM LAMU, KENYA – ONE OF MY
favorite places in the world

A little story about Lamu from my African journal…. 
I was approached by one of the dhow captains and asked if I’d like to sail in his dhow to the island. He was a strong man; skin the color of bronze, wearing a kanga, a gentle yet strong face, and his eyes not as clear as his physical being. Later I was to come to his bedside and comfort him while he was having a severe malaria attack. Both of his legs were locked while he groaned with much pain. He also just shook like a leaf. This was my first encounter with Malaria. I had been taking my malaria pills, which were a little comfort to me.
He said his name was Omar. He took my backpack and carefully placed it near the stern of his dhow.

His dhow was a masterpiece of handcrafted woods from the hull, tiller, and the mast.
These dhows have been sailing up and down the East African coast for two thousand years. There unique design with a mast leaning forward and a lateen triangular sail rig allows them to sail toward the wind. There hull design is perfect for the long straight sails up and down the Indian Ocean coast of Africa.

I fell in love with these sailing boats immediately. They have a beauty and charm difficult to describe.
We headed out across the channel between the mainland and the Island. Omar and I got talking –I told him my daughter Laura Lewallen had spent some time on the island studying Swahili. He said what was her name- BiBIwapi- I KNOW HER. YOU’RE HER FATHER? YES.
He went on to describe her perfectly. We bonded immediately.
This was my magical entry into the next adventure in Africa.
When we arrived in his dhow to the piers in Lamu town we were met by several of his fellow dhow captains.