Kuala Simpang: Day 1 Continued

We went back to Kek Yusuf and Nek Embok's house for a late lunch and to catch up with relatives and meet many cousins for the first time.  There were so many people, we all couldn't keep everyone's names straight or whose son, daughter, brother, sister was whose.  It was very confusing!  But the kids were all so cute, hyper, and funny.  We were magnets -- they couldn't keep their hands off us.  It was fun though, and the food was amazing.

Stewed beef, chili-smothered chicken, rice & a bucket of ice cold sweet tea

Mom & me enjoying our food at Nek Embok's house

All of the above and a plate of pan-fried anchovies with roasted peanuts, and a jar of krupuk -- everything was delicious, we went back for seconds and thirds.

The most delicious pound cake EVER!!!

After a couple of hours at Kek Yusuf and Nek Embok's house, we were driven to my mom's other aunt's house, Nek Yus.  She is married to a retired police lieutenant who is currently the mayor of Kuala Simpang.  They live a pretty happy life in a big house.  As kids we used to play with her kids, despite her kids being much older than us.  She has three sons, and had three daughters, but one of them passed away two years ago.  All but two of her children are married and have children of their own, whom we all got to meet for the first time on this trip.

Our welcome drink at Nek Yus' house: fresh watermelon juice!

Me and my third cousins, Nopal & Tashia, who are siblings

My mom and her cousins. The lady in pink is Tashia's mom. And Tashia was crying over who knows what. This girl was very temperamental. One minute she's happy, and the next minute she's upset.

My sisters and our second cousins and their kids

We, Indonesians, are always eating. There's my mom chewing on a huge chicken leg. Nek Embok is on the left and Nek Yus is near the fridge. We are at her house, and clearly I wasn't aware this photo was taken.

Haha, look at Nopal with the chicken leg there. He's such a happy kid!

We returned to our hotel soon after we had dinner at Nek Yus' house.  It had been a long day, and we needed rest because the next day was Eid al Fitr, the celebration of the month-long fast.  Many people dress in their best at this time, visit with friends and families, attend prayers at their local mosque, and gather around a lot of food and laughter.  We knew we had more relatives to see.  But what a great first day it had been!