Between 17 and 20 August we were in Delaware visiting my cousin Andreia and her partner, Gary (from the UK). Delaware, albeit the smallest state of the US, is called "the first state", because it was the first state of the original 13 colonies to sign the USA Federal Constitution in 1787. Interestingly enough, the first permanent European settlement in Delaware was by the Swedes who came as early as 1638. They would later loose the land to the Dutch, which then lost it to the English. But imagine, we could have been saying tak instead of thanks in today's Delaware. But after this historical detour, let's go back to the family visit...
It was touching and fun to stay with Andreia at her house close to the town of Newark. I was so happy to see her doing well in life and full of projects. After growing up together, although she is ten years my junior, we sort of lost contact once I came to Belgium in 1996. We got back in touch two years ago and when Jarl and I started planning this trip to the US, visiting her in Delaware was on top of my agenda.
Andreia and Gary have a beautiful house. I was particularly jealous of their big kitchen. Jarl was in awe of their fluffy carpets. Andreia showed us their garden and I was summoned to help her get rid of caterpillars on her broccoli! I must have taken dozens of them with my bare hands. Those broccoli were in need of some serious help! Hélas, no pictures were taken to attest for my gardening zeal...
Georgie was enthralled with Gary's guitar and serenaded to us every evening. She has been asking us to get her a guitar for some time (two of her teachers play it in school). If her passion doesn't subside after the summer, we may give her one for Christmas this year. Another Tracy Chapman in the making? Or another Suzanne Vega? Father's pride to the side, Georgie really shows a natural tendency for music, and for playing the guitar in particular. You can see her and Gary playing the guitar in one of the photos. Gary instantly became "her favourite friend".
Two other photos show us having delicious fun at the "ice-cream farm" near my cousin's house. A place where they have ice-cream flavours called "Dirt" and "Chocolate Thunder". My forever favourite was the "Black Raspberry". Jarl and Georgie were partial to the pink! Peppermint and Chocolate. Yuuuummmy!
And there's also a photo of me and Andreia, the eternal babblers on the couch. I seem to be showing her something way up in their living-room ceiling... a very high one by the way.
(L)
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