...But What About Those Tomatoes?!

by Megan Princewill (United States of America)

I didn't expect to find South Africa

I cannot remember a time in my life when I wasn't dreaming of Africa. As a kid, I didn't really realize there was so much "Africa", but I was certain I wanted to see it. I was not sure exactly how I would get there, but when I married my Nigerian husband in 2016, I figured my chances increased considerably. I wasn't wrong. In 2018, his cousin was getting married, not in Nigeria but in Cape Town, South Africa! I was beyond excited about the trip and the week we would spend with all of his Nigerian family and the wedding festivities at local vineyards - yes, plural. An all out traditional Nigerian wedding at one and a breathtakingly beautiful white wedding at another. I can still remember the feeling as we crossed the northern coastline of this awe inspiring continent. I could not believe I was there. From 38,000 feet, I paitiently awaited the realization of a lifelong dream. Twenty-four hours after leaving home we touched down in Cape Town. I could not stop the smiles and my heart was pounding. My husband was tired though not unmoved by the African air and I found myself running ahead only to run back laughing and jumping as I exclaimed over and over, "I'm in Africa!!!" We made it through customs, picked up our bags and called an Uber. It was about 10pm by the time we arrived at our room and we were starving. We checked in and called another Uber. Our first meal was no South African specialty, but instead an Indian deli/buffet which we ordered quickly and returned to our waiting Uber to take us back to our room. It was all good for me, though, because… I WAS IN AFRICA! The next morning I awoke without the slightest tinge of jet lag and stepped out onto the bustling street filled with cars all driving on the wrong side of the road. Across the street from our room was the cutest little cafe where the owners welcomed us as if we were family. Later, we met up with the rest of our wedding crew and the adventures began. From Table Mountain to Penguin Beach, our tribe took it all in. There were open air markets and chartered buses filled with laughter and love as we made our way to the wedding venues. Each destination met the expectations with ease. The first wedding, the traditional Nigerian, or Tra, as they called it was more than an experience. I knew this would be unlike anything this Southern Mississippi girl had ever seen, but I had no idea how beautifully magnificent it would be. There were blessings and drums and dancing and outfit changes and peppa soup and jollof rice and ogbono and pounded yam and rainfalls of cash on the heads of the bride and groom. It was a definitely a night to remember. Two days later, we dressed up and boarded the bus again. As we drove through the countryside to the most exquisite vineyard in Paarl, we took in the type of beauty that makes you forget to pick up your camera. The white wedding ceremony took place on a grassy lawn above the vineyards at sunset with the mountains perfectly placed in the background. After the ceremony, we walked the winding path to the reception hall, which honestly cannot be described with words. My husband and I performed a song we wrote for the bride and groom before we danced the night away. At some point there was a crepe maker serving fresh crepes and ice cream on the way out to the fire dancers - unexpected but appreciated just the same. The night eventually ended as did the week. We boarded the plane and prepared for a 30 hour trip back home, but I was leaving changed. The accents, the people, the beauty of a new culture - all of the experiences forever carried deep within my heart. When I think back on that trip, I remember it all, but there's one thing that never fails to surface shortly after the reminiscing begins, something I never expected. "Oh! And those tomatoes!! Wow. Seriously, the most amazing tomatoes.