December 25, 2008 - much like last year we sat most of the day in the shade provided by a tree and enjoyed wonderful food. Around Christmas, eating well is a worldwide tradition in all countries where European missionaries paved the way.
Our neighbours across the road had an additional reason for a feast: mom, grandmother and great grandma turned 80 years old. Next to all the children and (great)grandchildren they invited everyone who lives along ‘our street’; the red sand-road that leads from the tar-road to the top of the first hill.
We hardly see Mme Mathilde Maembolwa in her yard, as she has difficulty walking.
Her son Emanuel (left), who is building the house for his family next to her, is only around about once a month, as he has a management job with the big Orapa Diamond Mine 600 kilometres from here. We like him a lot, as he has welcomed us from the very beginning and is a really hardworking character.
The sister to Mme Mathilda is our next door neighbour Mma Binkie. Adding to the (universal) intrigue is that these two sisters have apparently had a falling out years ago, so we were told in 2006, so they do not talk anymore.
But true to an African tradition we remember from Ghana, it must have been deemed appropriate to patch any differences, as both ladies now held a speech and thanked all for the chance to have this reconciliation.
It was a wonderful opportunity for us to meet all the other neighbours also, from the very young to the very old.
Two of the factual bosses in our neighbourhood.
Bram could make a few great family group-portraits (he always does the same in Wilsum, Vierhouten and Zeeland in the EU-summer), and a few sneak shots for his own personal pleasure.
Since Xmas we have Emanuel’s daughter Maatla Cindy and other kids (including their ‘English’ dog) over all the time to make drawings, watch video’s, play cards and eat sweets - this is Africa.
