Discovering Africa
Result of a carefully educated, my mother reveals a firm existence only visible in superior women. The staying in Angola only help to establish her strong personality. "I went to Africa in 1967 in the company of my younger sister and her husband. A bit of adventure. I wanted to meet other continent, new lands and cultures. But also because I wanted to work as a nurse and earn more money. "
Curious, I ask, 'How was the boat crossing from Lisbon to Lobito "? The sparkle in her eye is unmistakable: "A unique experience. I remember seeing the dolphins frolic on the sea. And the first stop, in Madeira. Then in Sao Tome and Principe. We took a taxi drop rotten. But the driver was very friendly. He showed us the island, an incredible paradox - lushed vegetation and impoverished population. "
My questioning continued: "And the arrival in Angola?How did you felt? The answer doesn't take long: "Arriving in Luanda, we could not get off the boat. We sighted the city - beautiful and impressive - by far. I remember well the stifling, humid atmosphere. And the blast of heat. We continued up to Lobito. Small location but very beautiful. It looked like a waterfall. " And she concludes: "We have finally reached New Lisbon, our destination. What a fascinating city! Standing at over 1000 meters of altitude, had a temperate climate. I will never forget the fabulous gardens of roses. That's how my stay in Angola began. "
The beginning was not simple. "In the first apartment we had roaches - big, with wings. Huge scares. It was then that we moved to another house. It was near the Zoo. The flights of cockroaches were replaced by the roar of lions', recalls with a grin.
Mother after the war
Fully integrated into local society, she starts working as a nurse in Mining Company of Lobito. We were in 1968. After some years, she meets her soul mate - my father. "We dated for about three months and marry quickly. I learned a lot from him. His dream was a farm in the interior of Angola, Balombo, that we created with much love. At week-ends I helped him deal with the cattle. I geve injections to cows. Saw vels growing , the coffee plants and pineapples. I felt a real cowgirl. "
In 1975, my parents were forced to wake up from this dream. The voice of war was more important. "We suffered much from the shootings and the lack of security. Despite the fact of seeing my husband heartbroken to leave his beloved homeland, we had to come to Portugal, "he stresses.
The return was done with great difficulty. Them the eyes of my mother and reflect her excitement: "We had so many problems at first. But one day I discovered what I suspected back in Angola I was pregnant. After the war and the shooting. I can not express what I felt at that time. It seemed I would burst with happiness. We had nothing material, but had both wanted a baby, our baby! "
After 16 years of happy marriage, my father's heart stops beating. Suddenly. Without your soul mate, it becomes complicated to educate a child. However, his strong personality is undaunted by the hardships of life. "I was with my daughter. It fill me during all these years the void that my husband left me. I have tried to be a good mother. "
Silence. My mother is exhausted to speak. But happy. Me too. I learned a lot from her. What a privilege to listen to their wise words. Follow their advice of age. Enjoy their unconditional love. Share your many memories. Portugal. And Angola. Trees in bloom. The visit of his mother. The smell of exotic fruits. The immensity of nature. The discovery of the love of your life. The war. And 'to become' mother. Thank you, Africa. Thanks, Mom. Mother Africa. Burning continent, fruitful. Probable cradle of mankind. Reason for my existence.
