I don't remember when was the last time I visited my maternal uncle in San Félix. We used to be very close. So close I planned to go to college in Ciudad Guayana (San Félix - Puerto Ordaz) and live with them.
We used to visit very often. He would take his family to my town (where he used to live in the 70s) or we would visit them. Economic and political issues pulled us apart and visiting distant relatives became nearly impossible.
My cousins grew and left their nest. They built families I have never met and now the old uncle and aunt live alone, except for a daughter who comes and goes from another distant town down south and some grand children and great gran children who visit often.
So, now that I was in town after so long, I asked my daughters to pay these relatives a visit to try to close that time gap that has kept us distant.
As always, we had to walk long distances to the nearest bus stop.
It took us 15 minutes to get here.
None of my daughters had recollection of visiting that grand uncle and it had been so long ago for me that I was not even sure what bis went that way or where I should get off.
We asked a fare collector which bus we should get and he gave us directions.
Now we had to pay attention to the road so we did not miss our stop.
My uncle would be waiting for us by a bakery store, but we had to get off at a certain place (a clínica as referente) and from there walk a block and catch a por puesto (like a taxi, but each passenger pays their individual fare).
I started to remember some of the landmarks. This hill is called Cerro el Gallo (Rooster Hill) and was the site of an important battle during the Independence War. The monument they have been trying to finish is not exactly appealing to my eyes, but...
We got off on the indicated place and wished we had more umbrellas (My daughters had forgotten them at a friend's the night before). It was soooo hot.
At that stop, there was a lady selling ground corn (the mix for cachapas).
I could not resist the temptation to Buy some to share with my uncle and whoever else was there at the moment. Cachapas are a typical Venezuelan dish (usually accompanied with cheese and friend pork.
I bought about two kilos.
Small world: the lady happened to know my uncle and gave us more precise directions to get to his house.
We took the car and in five minutes we were there. Lots of memories and emotions. Uncle is old, but still active, like most people of his generation.
His wife was a different story. She is suffering from Alzheimer and her mind is gone already. She did not remember me or my mom (her comadre). We tried to make her remember people and events, but she just smiled kindly and pretended to follow us.
It broke my heart to see her like that. I have the fondest memories of my aunt. She was the sweetest lady, a hard-working woman who knew how to mix authority and love.
Their house brought back so many memories. They have always had farm animals and fruit trees.
Uncle has cocoa trees and makes his own chocolate.
He showed my girls all the process
And he gave my daughters some to try.
The ripe cacao seed is very sweet and can be enjoyed just like any fruit.
I think they enjoyed the discoveries and the anecdotes.
We had lunch (forgot to take the pictures) and headed back to Puerto Ordaz. There were still some errands to run. I wanted to visit another aunt (my Mom's sister) but we would not have time, not using public transportation.
The way back was more relaxing. So much so that @imabby17 was falling asleep.
I tried to catch some nice views, bit the bus was going too fast.
The impressive Caroni river. As mighty as the Orinoco.
The Cachamay stadium.
We went back to the mall to run some errands, but we were not very lucky. Pantyhoses are hard to get despite so many beauty/accessories stores.
We sat for a while to rest.
I even too off my shoes.
And just them, another moving surprise. My daughters saw a good friend of the family, one of their godmothers, who they had not seen in years.
It was such a great surprise. Their mother had been trying to contact that comadre for months and there she was. Hopefully they will be able to share some time before @imabby17 goes back to Brazil.
All in all, it was an amazing day. Exhausting, but amazing.
Comments (1)
How wonderful it is to visit relatives we haven't seen for years. I'm sorry your aunt has Alzheimers and didn't know who you were. That's heart-breaking. And what a great surprise to run into someone else you knew while shopping.
I haven't shopped for pantyhose for years. I no longer wear dresses very often, so the nylon stockings last a long time. Since the younger generation prefers to be bare-legged, those stockings may not be easy to find around here, either. But I haven't looked.