A few days ago we were asked to help out at and were invited to a get together, because a close family friend is visiting Suriname after three or four years. Give or take. This friend started out as a neighbor, who became a friend and is now regarded as part of the family. The entire family actually, because they grew up close to mine.
We were asked to come by as early as possible in the morning, because 
I was immediately asked to help out with blanching the vegetables for the petjel - a Javanese salad served with peanut sambal (hot sauce) sprinkled over it - cutting them afterwards and the arrangement on the serving tray.
Kankong (water spinach), cabbage and long beans were used this time for the petjel.
Furthermore, there were plenty of side dishes like bami goreng (fried egg noodles), chow mein and baked potatoes. Are you able to tell the difference between the two noodle dishes in the pictures below? Clue: they both have different ingredients.
Picture 1.
Picture 2.
The guests arrived some time after noon and that's when it all started. I ate my belly full and tried my best to keep my eyes open, because of the lively conversations, but that food coma hit me hard 😅. I withdrew myself and found a cozy spot to recharge.
After a good nap, I rejoined them and though I missed some of the conversation, I was still able to share the memories with both the families and even got to listen to stories before I was born. Politics, vacations and unusual stories were told embedded with the occasional humor. Sometimes even competing to tell the loudest or funniest story.
We stayed till late and were even surprised that we had spend the entire day. We also remarked that one day/night isn't enough and that we should have a sleepover some time soon.