LOVE THE EXPATRIATE
13. Visiting the Ancestral Land (2)
At six o'clock in the morning Edward was invited by Uncle Rudolf to go to Tomohon. He sat down beside Edo who was driving, while Uncle Rudolf sat in the back seat. Along the way, Edward seemed to notice the gardens of residents containing vegetable plants and flowers. Tomohon is located on a plateau flanked by Mount Lokon and Mount Mahawu are still active. So it is not surprising that agricultural products in this region are abundant and become suppliers for cities in Sulawesi.
In addition to vegetables, various flowers are also abundant in Tomohon. Therefore, every year the city organizes the Tomohon International Flower Festival. A famous flower carnival and claimed to be the second largest after the Pasadena Rose Parade, in the United States.
Edo turns his car off the highway and into the courtyard of a restaurant.
“We have breakfast first, Edward.” take Uncle Rudolf after the car is parked.
He got out of the car followed by Edward and Edo. The three of them entered the restaurant that looked crowded by visitors. Uncle Rudolf picked an empty table in the corner of the room and ordered three servings of breakfast for them.
“It's wawahu, typical Tomohon food, Ed. Uncle is sure you will be addicted to the taste.” said Uncle Rudolf when the waiter served the food they ordered.
“More delicious if eaten with this Tomohon wrap rice.” he said again while opening the leaf package.
Wawahu referred to by Uncle Rudolf is processed pork ribs cooked with yellow seasoning sauce and basil leaves. In its development, this cuisine also often uses beef ribs or buffalo. Wawahu is better to eat with Tomohon wrap rice.
But this packaged rice is not like packaged rice in other areas. Washed rice wrapped in thin leaves elongated and boiled until chewy. So it is more similar to lontong or lepat. What makes it distinctive, Tomohon rice is not wrapped with banana leaves or coconut leaves. But with a leaf named laikit leaf. The leaves are endemic plants that can only be found in Minahasa and its surroundings.
The three of them had breakfast.
They finally reached their intended place. Edo parked his car in front of a stilt house on a flat, wide hill. The yard of the house contains clove trees and avocados.
“Whose house is this, Uncle?” edward asked as he climbed the wooden stairs.
“ Your opinion used to tell us that this land will be inherited for his grandchildren later.”
“Because you as his eldest grandson, you happen to have come home too, then this place I leave to you, Edward.”
“I thank Uncle, who has been guarding this land until now.” said Edward along standing next to his uncle.
“But uncle will know, if the job requires me to move places continuously. So please, just take care of this much-remembered place, Uncle.”
“As far as you go, Ed. Most importantly, Uncle has conveyed the trust of your late opamu.” said Uncle Rudolf.
“Thus, this house and garden will not be abandoned, Uncle.”, Edward said again.
“But Uncle's advice, this place should not be moved to another party. Currently, the government is encouraging tourism throughout the region. From Tomohon, Tondano, Manado, to Bunaken. This place will be a good investment in the future.”
“That was a very wise decision, Uncle.” said Edward embracing Uncle Rudolf's shoulder with a smile.
Uncle Rudolf invited Edward into the house. The man looked over the unbroken goods of Opa and Omanya. Includes photos of them when they were young. Also the little Uncle Maweuri who is still carried by his omana.
By noon they were home. And there, Edward said goodbye to the family to return to Jakarta. He only smiled while shaking his head, when Aunt Dora reminded him to immediately visit Manado to introduce his future wife.
