From Melbourne 18.6.85

From Melbourne

18.6.85

Dear Alan, Lorna and Melissa and Jolene,

                                                                                I am enclosing a couple of things we got in Tonga. There were a lot of things there that reminded us of Natal. The basketweaving that the people do there reminded me very much of the Zulus. As you can see from the bag some of the same patterns. I think the work we saw at Eshowe would be stronger and last longer because it is made of a stronger material. The Tongans use a small sort of palm tree which is free and they do it quickly so it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t last forever. The necklace reminded me of the bead work of the Zulu’s also. I think it is coral but I am not sure.  I thought that Melissa would look nice with the necklace and Jolene with the bag but if you like them the other way around it doesn’t matter.

                We did have a good time because Pamela was able to show us around.  She has made some very good friends with a few of the teachers who are Tongans. We were able to spend several days just in their homes and at their bush block. Every family is supposed to have a few acres which they can live off. If they use it properly it is enough but because of too many people not everyone has a block now. We spent a day at Mele T’s place while they prepared food for a feast. For the conference of their church that was being held at the school Pamela teaches at. They killed seven young pigs. All the family and relatives help. Not many of them have got jobs. After the pigs are cooked they put out the fire and put yams and other food on the hot stones cover with dirt and leave about 1 hour to cook.

 We went to several of the feasts at the conference but I didn’t eat any pig because I was frightened they might have tape worm in them.

                In the market photo you can see all the baskets they make from coconut leaves they are very common. Nobody here ever carries anything on their head. Also we saw no babies, no prams or pushers. The babies and toddlers are always left at home with another relative. 

                The main street of Nuka-alofa reminded me a little of Butterworth. Usually more people than in the photo. Everyone moves slowly. Shabby and not much in good condition. Nobody worries very much. I don’t think anyone there has high blood pressure unless it is because they are too fat. They do like to eat.

                We did like the photos of Jolene and Melissa in the swimming pool.  We will most likely come over again and I think I would be quite happy to spend all our time in Natal. It is a lovely place. Fiji reminded us a lot of Natal.  Sugar cane, green plants everywhere and lots of Indians, lots of Fijians and very few white people. The white people are a very small percent.  Indians seem to run all the businesses and the Fijians have all the “lower” jobs.  By now Alan should have finished running for a while. Maybe gardening would be easier. You said you grew lots of brinjals.  But I didn’t know what it is. My tomatoes for a couple of years were so bad that I didn’t even plant this year. I’ve got some very good silver beet growing but it is easier to grow in our climate. While we were in Tonga I didn’t have a cardigan or stockings on the whole time. Most people just wear thongs or have bare feet. No one wore a hat. Some use umbrellas but mostly they keep out of the sun.

                Everybody is spoken to by their first name so we do not even know Mele T’s other name.  To distinguish Mele T from Mele F. Mele is Mary and is a very common name. The principal of the school is only known by her Christian name even by the girls.

                Almost every day there is something in the newspaper about South Africa you could say the flavor for the moment to criticise South Africa. There is a lot of argument going on how we should treat SA. There is a wide range of ideas from the left to the right. You could not say there is a common policy. Mention SA and you are liable into a discussion whether you want to or not. I am sure that Bob Hawke wishes he had never heard of SA. Most people have very definite ideas of what is happening in SA even if they really know nothing about the place.

                About the only thing that people get worked up about in Australia is whether the government is taking too much tax. We really are rather selfish but there isn’t much else too debate.

                You should see our house at Trentham, Alan, we have just had all the windows replaced. It isn’t finished yet but he place looks so much better. Now we can open all the windows.

                Melissa – I have a boy at the kindergarten who has a leg like yours. In the holidays he got a new leg because he had grown so much.  The other children were fascinated because he was so pleased with his new leg that he took it off to show them. This time his foot looks almost real with toes marked but the leg is still hard. He is just like you he does everything the other children do. Sometimes he can’t do it as well but he just tries again I think he will get on. He’s an optimist.

                Jolene – Next time you write what about drawing a picture of your house and the garden around it so we can see what it is like. You both look good in your bathers.

                Love from Mom and Grandma