A long way baby !

Wednesday , # 3, it's a long way baby, a long way 6:30 PM....my feet are fat because I've been sitting all day. Scott is sleeping in the bed, sick. We went to where it all began for the vdb clan. The birthplace, hanging around place and work place. All on a bus, on narrow narrow roads squeezing into places no self respecting tour bus should be able to squeeze. We found the school, homes and churches. A bus load of westerners descending where I am sure....has NEVER been a tourist destination. We were looked at as intently.

 It's almost time for supper and with all the goings-on in the last few days I really haven't had much time to ponder this hugely diverse family. We are remarkable in a lot of ways....let me tell you a few. Adaptable and we are accommodating and pragmatic. We eat what is given, drink what is available, use squat pots if necessary. We go along but tweak if possible. If the water isn't working, we swim in the lake. The women are strong and confident. The men are the same. The children are in the middle of it all because that's what's family. We drink a lot of beer and smoke them if we have them. We jump in, try out and leave it be. We are so diverse in faith, education, vocation and where we call home. It seems to work...we are family.

 We raised a glass to Margaret tonight. We celebrated Oom Eduard birthday and were introduced to the Verhoeff family and the Maas.