Norwegian | Indian/Caribbean/Portuguese/South American/Scottish
My Dad is from an island called St Vincent. My Dads’ Mother & her family were of Indian descent. His Dad (my paternal Grandfather) was of mixed heritage (Native Carib & Portuguese / South American as well as some Scottish). My Mum was born in a small town called Narvik, just past the arctic circle in Northern Norway. My parents always had a natural affinity and curiosity for one another’s cultures – coming from a cold climate my Mother yearned for the heat & beaches & my Father coming from a tropical climate was excited about colder climes. This meant they had a natural & mutual respect for one another’s heritage & culture. They travelled to one another’s homelands, instilling that love of travel & cultural sensitivity in my brother & myself from a young age. My earliest memories of experiencing each culture was through music (Vinci soca or Norwegian folk), food (fried bakes & salt fish, plantain, red belly cake, rum cake or vaffle kaka, brown cheese, cream cakes, reindeer meat) to name but a few. Being able to travel to such wonderful and different parts of the world with a personal insight and connection to the people there from a very young age has been something I have come to appreciate as I have gotten older. When I was younger, I just wanted to fit in with everyone, and there was not much multiculturalism around! I wanted to visit Cornwall to see my Grandparents or go on holidays to Butlins rather than going away to see family on a coffee table holiday (coffee table holidays where you spend most your time sat at different families coffee tables saying hello after ages of not seeing each other or not having met them!). As I have gotten older, I started to appreciate my cultural heritage & see that it gave me a unique perspective on the world. It’s also a great talking point when meeting new people. If I were born again, I wouldn’t change a thing (other than being able to speak to my Mor fluent Norwegian), every journey my ancestors have made has led to my being here today. It has afforded me the life and unique family I have and that is pretty amazing.
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