Before holidays became about flights, hotels and carefully planned getaways, there was a simpler tradition that many of us remember fondly: spending the school holidays at our grandparents’ house.
For many children, it was the highlight of the year. From packing our little bags to travelling to the village, playing with cousins and eating Grandma’s cooking, these holidays created memories that still make us smile.
Here are some things we remember about those good holidays.
1. Packing your little travel bag
The excitement started as soon as your parents announced that you were going to Grandma’s house. Choosing your favourite clothes and packing your essentials made the holiday feel real.
2. The long journey
Whether by bus, car or train, the journey was part of the adventure. There were roadside snacks, drinks, games and the inevitable question: “Are we there yet?”
3. Meeting all your cousins
Grandma’s house was often the unofficial headquarters for cousins from different parts of the family. Within minutes, everyone was playing, laughing and getting into mischief.
4. Eating Grandma’s food
There was something special about Grandma’s cooking. Rice, yam, beans, plantain and local delicacies somehow tasted better when prepared by her.
5. Playing outside until evening
No smartphones, tablets or social media. We played football, hide and seek, skipping games and whatever else we could invent until someone called us inside.
6. Visiting relatives
Holidays meant going from one family house to another, greeting relatives and being offered food at almost every stop.
7. Sleeping without worrying about school
Perhaps the best part was knowing there was no school the next morning. We could stay up late talking, wake up slowly and spend the day doing absolutely nothing.
Those holidays may have been simple, but they gave us some of our fondest childhood memories. Sometimes, all it took was a small bag, a long journey and a house full of family to make a holiday unforgettable.