Summertime, and the living is easy...<div><br></div><div>Most of us probably remember what braai means.</div><div>For the new ones amongst us, a braai is a barbecue. Except that a barbecue is for ignorant Americans or Australians.</div>
<div>Braai is doing it properly, like proper South Africans. I am half South African (actually got a passport the other day).</div><div><br></div><div>Last year we had loads of fun.</div><div>Last year's report can be found here: <a href="https://wiki.edubuntu.org/BelgianTeam/SocialEvents/Braai" target="_blank">https://wiki.edubuntu.org/BelgianTeam/SocialEvents/Braai</a></div>
<div><br></div><div>I have a suggestion:</div><div>we can use the opportunity to have a IRL meeting beforehand. Council members, what do you think?</div><div>We could coordinate some new ideas, and perhaps refresh or shuffle the Council.</div>
<div><br></div><div>I therefore made up a Doodle where you can do two things at once: choose a date, and say if you'd like to attend an IRL meeting beforehand.</div><div><br></div><div>here's the link: <a href="http://www.doodle.com/ga4hbghzni4m3mgx" target="_blank">http://www.doodle.com/ga4hbghzni4m3mgx</a></div>
<div>If you like the braai but have no interest in the meeting, just select the 'braai at 18h' only.</div><div><br></div><div>Of course, we can discuss the idea via this mailing list as well. If the general opinion is not to have an IRL meeting, I can easily remove the option from the Doodle.</div>
<div><br></div><div>I suggested some dates in July on the Doodle. If you do like the idea but are not available on any of these dates, please do let me know. I can easily expand the Doodle to suit other people's diary.</div>
<div><br><div>Cheers,</div><div>Jan.</div><div><br><div><div>P.S. I have attached last year's message just to get you into the vibe.</div><div><br></div><div><span style>(the following message contains South African slang. If you are lost in translation, there are plenty of web sites that will help you out with it. Google is your friend. The Wikipedia list is kak, don't bother)</span><br style>
<br style><span style>Howzit!</span><br style><br style><span style>As promised I'll be organising a lekker South African </span><span class="il" style="background-image:initial;background-color:rgb(255,255,204);color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">braai</span><span style> at our place. </span><br style>
<br style><span style>How will this </span><span class="il" style="background-image:initial;background-color:rgb(255,255,204);color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">braai</span><span style> work?</span><br style>
<span style>Basically anyone is invited, but we do have a logistic limit of 10 to 15 people on our terrace. The weather needs to be dry for the occasion. If it rains, we need to shift the venue or the date. I have access to pretty accurate forecasts so I can tell you at least a day in advance.</span><br style>
<br style><span style>South Africans are very casual with their </span><span class="il" style="background-image:initial;background-color:rgb(255,255,204);color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">braai</span><span style>. If you happen to have a friend that wants to come along last minute, he/she is welcome to join. "Your friends are our friends too."</span><br style>
<span style>Because of this, the logistics are just as casual. We do cater for those who want it. We'll have to shop for it ourselves and anyone can just ask to buy something for them as well.</span><br style><span style>Many people prefer to bring their own 'dop en tjop'. Then they know they'll like the meat that's on the fire, and the booze that is available.</span><br style>
<span style>We will have the basics: lager beer, wine, cola, water, and salads and snacks. We will have braaivleis according to our own taste. If you wish we should cater for you, by all means, just let us know. There may be some boerewors if we can get hold of some. We usually get some sosaties and chops from the local butchery.</span><br style>
<br style><span style>You can try your skills on our vuvuzela's if you wish. (Don't give your opinion now. It will all change once you have a few 'doppe' in you.)</span><br style><br style><span style>We usually start our </span><span class="il" style="background-image:initial;background-color:rgb(255,255,204);color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">braai</span><span style> early. We get together from about 5pm onwards, and the fires are usually started at around 7pm (actually after sunset, but this is not recommendable in summer in Belgium).</span><br style>
<span style>It gives us enough time to praat kak, have some snacks, and drink! They have a saying: Meestal is die mense gaar voor die vleis gaar is. (Usually the people are 'cooked' before the meat is cooked).</span><br style>
<span style>Starting early has the added advantage that the party is usually over well before midnight, and you still have the opportunity to catch the last train. No need to drink and drive.</span><br style><br style><span style>But if you don't smaak going home that night, we always have a spare bed or two, and you are welcome to just kip until the morning.</span><br style>
<br style><span style>Obviously there is no dress code for the occasion. Most people come in shorts and plakkies if it's warm enough.</span><br style><br style><span style>So kom maak 'n draai en kuier saam met ons. We're going to have a moerse party.</span><br style>
<br style><span style>Cheers,</span><br style><span style>Jan.</span></div>-- <br>Microsoft programs are like Englishmen. They only speak Microsoft.<br>
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