Visiting My Roots

After a few well-rested days in HCM city, I reunited with my two cousins for the first time after 30+ years since I left VN. There is so much to reminisce that I became very emotional when I got back to the hotel that night.

On Sat morning, my two cousins (one with her daughter), G and I boarded a comfy bus--AC and sleeper seats for a 5-hr ride to Tra Vinh, my Dad's birthplace. The purpose of this trip was to visit my grandparents' graves and their home to pay respect. It has been 50 years since I set foot in Tra Vinh as a little girl at my Grandpa's funeral. I also did this on behalf of my Dad, I wanted to take home some images for his memories since he had no desire to travel to VN.

We found a nice, new hotel right downtown, dropped off the luggage and hired a taxi to the graves in the afternoon.  Luckily, one cousin and my sister from Reno (who was in VN a month ago) already went through the toughest part in searching for the graves, so it was easy this time. At first, I thought we were going to a cemetery, didn't know that my grandparents were well-off people in Tra Vinh in their era. The graves were untouched after all these years on their own big piece of land in the country site, which is now legally owned  by only one grandson. My Dad didn't have the rights to claim it either! Presently there is a poor family (generation passed on) who live there by planting peanuts and selling lottery tickets for a living; who are also responsible to look after the graves occasionally.

During our conversation, I mentioned to my cousins about an aunt who loved and cared for me for 5+years when I was given away for that period of time. Due to circumstances, I completely lost contact with her since my teen, not even had her picture. They were able to lead me to her grave! This was the unexpected blessing!

The whole afternoon was exhausting and emotional for me, feeling like I was re-living my childhood (which wasn't all good) However, it was a closure for me to be able to complete this task and I was finally at peace!

On Sun morning we walked to the temple where the other cousin's mother's resting place (urns of ashes on the shelves), to the market for food... Just simply spending time together as they were happy to see me again:) My cousins returned to HCM city on Sun afternoon, G & I decided to stay in Tra Vinh for another day or two to explore more before heading to Ben Tre (been there last time and love it!)