I believe my last entry was the day of the reception given by Ambassador Pierce and Mrs. Pierce aboard the Amistad…it was a wonderful affair Mrs. Pierce’s  wonderful staff prepared a most yummy fete…pulled pork, salmon mousse, homemade lusgitsa. Veggies and dip…cornmeal stuffed delites, fried goodies with fish…an assortment of deserts, and wonderful local wine…the background music was an amazing collection of Music by Ramiro Mendes …who coordinated everything with amazing grace and professionalism…Friday we left Praia with President Pires and other dignitaries and sailed to Cidade Velha which is the old city and the birthplace of Cape Verdean history…in 2010 it will mark its 550th anniversary of the islands’ discovery… …there was an amazing opening ceremony which I missed…but that evening we were invited to the Presidential Palace for a reception with President Pires…what  wonderful open air venture…Amistad was present with a display of boats made from fish bones truly beautiful and amazing…and a collection of books and a piece of the Po di Terra, which is the traditional cloth and was used a currency…the next day which was international Women’s Day and also the Agro-culture fair…Each island was represent by its special product…jams, art work, wines, needle point, agro culture…in the center of town is a Pillar that was use to tie the enslaved Africans it is called the pillar of shame…they were brought there and tied up and beaten before the community…it is very powerful and there was a reenactment of how the captives would be brought to the square by their Portuguese owners…this was the backdrop for all of the weekends activities…we were given gifts by the minister of agriculture…there was also lunch at a wonderful little out door restaurant…and in between all of the festivities I had to do provisioning for the boat for our crossing…we also took a tour of the Ribeira Grande de Santiago which was the fort that guarded the city… and on to the church that the enslaved
Africans built, and were baptized in but couldn’t attend…
Later that evening more entertainment and as a special treat our friend Ramiro performed…a man of man talents….

There was also a wonderful little Hotel we were able to stay in to shower being at anchor and coming ashore on a black sand beach can leave you a little sticky…Sunday is departing day…and a special mass was held…and visitors were coming to see the boat and hear the Amistad story…time has gone by way too fast…at 3:00pm Eliza was presented with the key to the city and many presents for the crew…the tears flowed pretty freely…all the wonderful friends we have made…it is like leaving family members…how can we ever thank the wonderful people of Cape Verde….I think we must return…

And yes I manage to cook some meals …
Sunday-Breakfast, Ben’s scrambled eggs and toast, Lunch-Bar-b-qued pork, groundnut pork, slaw, rice, ice tea…Dinner- Baked salmon, sautéed veggies, saffron rice, toss salad

Monday-Breakfast, Scrambled eggs, chorizo, juice, cereal…Lunch Salmon quiche, toss salad, watermelon, ice tea…Dinner- fried chicken, collard greens, pasta salad, corn muffins


Tuesday-Breakfast, Blueberry pancakes, juice, cereal…Lunch, grilled ham and cheese, grilled cheese, pasta salad, greens, chips, ice tea…Dinner…. Baked mystery fish, roasted potatoes, sautéed eggplant, tomato, cuke, artichoke, heart of palm, onion salad, homemade dill bread…

Wednesday-Breakfast, Bull’s-eyes, local sausage. Juice, cereal, yogurt…Lunch Burgers, Homemade buns, french fries, lettuce, tomato, cukes, onions, cheese, ice tea…Dinner, Coconut rice, roast pork, apple mint chutney, broccoli casserole, tossed salad, ice tea…

So we have started our voyage that many ancestors took long ago…I sail to honor those that made it possible for me to tell their stories and keep them alive…

Me ke aloha pumehana to Kim, Tom, Dillon, Tristen, the Donnas, Phil, Sharon, Pame, Elaine, Tish, Mary, Kathy, Dons, Karin…all the SGI Ohana… Mahalo for all of your prayers and encouragement gives me the strength and power to have these adventures as we make our history together…

Ashay

Ancestor in training
Chef dani

Comments (1)