Of course, in Kayes we had to lodge in the historic Railway hotel. It’s one of these classy world class hotels renowned for having hosted kings, presidents, railway barons and industrial tycoons in the heydays of Mali’s history. Unfortunately that was some 136 years ago.
By now time has changed, it proofed to be more’n’more difficult to maintain the huge building with its luxury rooms. Well some 83 years ago they installed water pipes to each room, some 78 years ago electric wiring. Of course they had to paint from time to time, the last one was even in 1967 – that’s 2 years after the last carpeting. So you see a house full of history, really the place to stay and to show u’r social importance. Oh, we forgot one little detail, their room rates are always maintained up to date. They increase by 20% for the last time on 1st of July 2014 to celebrate the arrival of the last guest.
What applies to the rooms is also valid for the world renowned railway restaurant. A huge belly filling station called dining hall. All in black’n’white, in the past with 4 huge chandeliers and a red carpet. Kings, queens and all kind of ordinary folks came in for their exquisite cuisine, their 8 course ordinary dinners or 12 course premium ones.
Throughout the last years the cook took the decision to specialize his haute game cuisine. He decided to limit the choice to chicken. To be a little special he cooks starved chicken only – but those poor animals are getting cooked 3 times: the 1st time directly after starvation, the 2nd time for the 1st guest who later refused it and the 3rd time just 4 u. The whole thing is served in a huge plate filled with oil and garnished with some French Fries (they also have to be soaked in the oil).
That’s THE dish he was serving the last 56 years. He simply calls it the Starved Triple Cooked Chicken in Oil Soup. And, of course we had to try it.
