I was on vacation last October in the USA. The plan was to visit as many states and places in the country as possible. I started from New York City(JFK) and located a premium property in New Jersey through the AirBnB app and my day one pal- Google map.
From New Jersey I traveled back to NYC to join a tour of the white house and other great places in the USA.
All along, google was directing me to places where I could find African Food. At New Jersey, the Map directed me to Olaide. Before going there, I took a tour of the restaurant’s menu on its website. the delicacies looked promising and made me forget my home sickness for once.
My expectations were high as my Lyft driver took me straight to the Google-provided address. From about a yard out, I could see the Sign post announcing Olaide. It was victory at last. I had planned to eat Amala with Ewedu soup. The goat meat soups also looked great in the pictures. Why not? I might just throw in a moi moi as take-out. Then the Tsunami hit!
Immediately I highlighted from the car I felt a wave of panic. For a shop that had so many great reviews on the Google map, it was just too quiet for my liking. then on a closer look, I saw the CLOSED sign. That was how Olaide joined the list of African kitchens in both New Jersey and New York that did not Come through for me in my time of grave need.
About two days to the end of my trip, I decided to take in the sights at Delaware and also to enjoy the tax-free shopping experience that city offered.
Once again I trusted Google map to lead the way. Immediately I got into the city, I asked google to show me the best places to access African delicacies. The app too me straight to the African Super Store on Pulaski Highway, DE. Here, I was not disappointed. Once I got into the shop, i was greeted with the unmistakable aroma of chicken Pepper Soup. Yes, you heard me right; chicken pepper soup. asides looking pretty much like Nigerian made, it also tasted it. And when the shop keeper noticed the way I was gulping down the soup like a deprived person, he asked if I wanted something equally close to home. So he took me about four blocks down to where we got Rice the Jamaican way. Looked pretty much like the Nigerian way, that too was great! In all Google Map and the African Store on Pulaski Highway made my USA stay. And the next time I’m in town, Delaware it is!
