Going to Shao Mu--"cemetery visiting and cleaning" is termed "Big Picnic" by Mama, Gu Poh Colleen and Bu Gu Poh Becca. It was a day when a huge coach would be chartered to ferry all the big gang of relatives to the various cemetery locations. Can be somewhere between 25 to 30 people. Imagine the noise polluted by the number of people, mostly women.
They loved to sit at the back, or at least where the food were! There would always be egg cakes, kuehs, roasted pig, soft drinks and many more! Just like a picnic. They ate and ate, from tomb to tomb. Therefore the term, "Big Picnic."
But since many had grown up; some married to overseas, some with little kid like me so not very convenient to lug along, some went on their own separate day and some who had gone to a "better place", the bus is not as packed. But the spirit of knowing our roots and remembering those who had left us first remains, thanks to the faithful and loyal few who insist that this "family tradition" must go on.
So Mama packed me along with Papa, and went with them, but this time, we drove because we went from church and it was my nap time. Mama missed the noise-merry making time in the coach and cracking silly jokes about those pre-believing relatives who burnt Gucci and LV bags for her grandma and grand aunties! There was one year, 10th great grandaunt burnt a mobile phone for her 6th sister. And one nephew teased, saying she might get calls from her sister soon since she gave her a mobile phone! Hahahahaha.....10th great grandaunt was very disturbed after that for some time.
Then Mama thought, maybe they should burnt notebook or computer too, then can email, do blogging about hades and even go on facebook! Hahahaha....
Papa borrowed Yeye's car. Need to warm up his engine since my grams went China for a week already and also can load more things.
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