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Here I am, forty two years old and I have family yet to meet. Yes, my Uncle Vasco (my Mum's brother), and Aunt Carmelita, who live in King Williamstown, close to East London. We almost missed our bus from Durban to King, as the early morning transit caught us off-guard, as they only run one direction. if it wasn't for the kind man who stopped at 6:45AM to ask two confused backpackers where they were going, we wouldn't have made the bus. Michael gave us a ride to the bus station with 5 minutes to spare - Thanks for the kindness again!!
The bus journey was long, and uneventful. Uncle Vasco looked similar to Uncle Manuel, but this was not the only way to recognize them - they were the only two white people waiting for the bus to arrive.
In true Portuguese style, Auntie had prepared a huge feast for our arrival. After cleaning up, we started eating and didn't stop for the next 4 days!!! It was delicious meal after delicious meal, and I think we both gained some weight over our visit. They really treated us!
Vasco and Carmelita, toured us around East London where we ate on the waterfront, the beaches at Gonubie (a very upmarket area), and also around King in the rain.
But most of the time, we looked through tons of old photo albums, and I learned more about my family history. Stories about my Mum, and how she often had to go to bed hungry since the family was so poor. How my Mum had worked as a seamstress from the age of 13, and had her own fashion show at 19, which impressed people from the whole community. After my Grandfathers death at a young age, his brother forced them to sell the house, leaving my Grandmother to fend with 7 children on her own, and another 'bun in the oven'.
We also managed to meet my cousin Frederico, who lives in the area, and runs a supermarket that was quite small, but seemed to stock just about everything from televisions and radios, to groceries and beer. It also had a bar and take-away food!! The business seems to be going quite well for him.
Because of the rain, it was too wet to visit any of the buildings and museums in town, but when we weren't looking at photos, we were up in the 'other' museum of King - Uncle Vasco's study!! We can't believe the amount of things that he managed to fit into that small room, and all well organized. From Matchbox rally cars to stamps to mini-alcohol bottles to postcards to money from around the world to newspapers from the world …… you get the idea. Vasco seemed to collect everything and had it all neatly organized and documented in his mini-museum. It was fascinating, and we constantly found ourselves finding 'new' items of interest.
To top of our 4 day visit, Vasco lit up a braai (South African BBQ), while Carmelita made other fixings for dinner. We can't believe the amount of food and meat that they cooked for us - I think they could have fed the entire neighbourhood with the meat alone (see the photos - that's for 4 of us). No wonder we put on some extra pounds!! We didn't leave empty handed though, as we were packaged up many of the leftovers for our journey North to Bloemfontein, along with some nice memories and gifts!! *Mush
Things Michelle will remember:
1. Uncle Vasco's mannerisms that remind her of her mother
2. Shedding tears together with Vasco, when they discussed his childhood with her Mother
3. Feeling homesick for her own family in the UK
4. Cousin Isabel on the phone apologizing for the shrine of photos, but Michelle reassured her it was a Portuguese thing, as her parents have a shrine of their own
Things Martin will remember:
1. Enjoying Vasco's money collection from around the world, and Vasco generously giving him some of his 'doubles'
2. Not being able to move much for 4 days because he was so FULL
3. Continuously flipping meat on the braai with Vasco, as there was so much it was a two man job
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| Uncle Vasco in his 'Museum' |
The bus journey was long, and uneventful. Uncle Vasco looked similar to Uncle Manuel, but this was not the only way to recognize them - they were the only two white people waiting for the bus to arrive.
In true Portuguese style, Auntie had prepared a huge feast for our arrival. After cleaning up, we started eating and didn't stop for the next 4 days!!! It was delicious meal after delicious meal, and I think we both gained some weight over our visit. They really treated us!
Vasco and Carmelita, toured us around East London where we ate on the waterfront, the beaches at Gonubie (a very upmarket area), and also around King in the rain.
But most of the time, we looked through tons of old photo albums, and I learned more about my family history. Stories about my Mum, and how she often had to go to bed hungry since the family was so poor. How my Mum had worked as a seamstress from the age of 13, and had her own fashion show at 19, which impressed people from the whole community. After my Grandfathers death at a young age, his brother forced them to sell the house, leaving my Grandmother to fend with 7 children on her own, and another 'bun in the oven'.
We also managed to meet my cousin Frederico, who lives in the area, and runs a supermarket that was quite small, but seemed to stock just about everything from televisions and radios, to groceries and beer. It also had a bar and take-away food!! The business seems to be going quite well for him.
Because of the rain, it was too wet to visit any of the buildings and museums in town, but when we weren't looking at photos, we were up in the 'other' museum of King - Uncle Vasco's study!! We can't believe the amount of things that he managed to fit into that small room, and all well organized. From Matchbox rally cars to stamps to mini-alcohol bottles to postcards to money from around the world to newspapers from the world …… you get the idea. Vasco seemed to collect everything and had it all neatly organized and documented in his mini-museum. It was fascinating, and we constantly found ourselves finding 'new' items of interest.
To top of our 4 day visit, Vasco lit up a braai (South African BBQ), while Carmelita made other fixings for dinner. We can't believe the amount of food and meat that they cooked for us - I think they could have fed the entire neighbourhood with the meat alone (see the photos - that's for 4 of us). No wonder we put on some extra pounds!! We didn't leave empty handed though, as we were packaged up many of the leftovers for our journey North to Bloemfontein, along with some nice memories and gifts!! *Mush
Things Michelle will remember:
1. Uncle Vasco's mannerisms that remind her of her mother
2. Shedding tears together with Vasco, when they discussed his childhood with her Mother
3. Feeling homesick for her own family in the UK
4. Cousin Isabel on the phone apologizing for the shrine of photos, but Michelle reassured her it was a Portuguese thing, as her parents have a shrine of their own
Things Martin will remember:
1. Enjoying Vasco's money collection from around the world, and Vasco generously giving him some of his 'doubles'
2. Not being able to move much for 4 days because he was so FULL
3. Continuously flipping meat on the braai with Vasco, as there was so much it was a two man job
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| Uncle Vasco's Meat Extravaganza (Braai) |
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| Aunt Carmelita and Uncle Vasco, with Michelle |
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