Trip to Alexandria ... to find a Grave
24 August 2013 : Paula Wiegmink writes about a trip to Alexandria : I took an internal flight and flew 770 km east of Cape Town to the city of Port Elizabeth. The flight was quick and very pleasant indeed. As I love to sit next to the window I was able to enjoy the view. The plane flew low snaking along the coast line, winding its way revealing interesting patterns below in beautiful shades of turquoise, white and pink. I was quite disappointed when the plane turned inland coming to a swift end.
I was a little concerned when I could not find my friend who was meant to be collecting me from the airport, however after a few frantic phone calls she finally arrived.
Port Elizabeth is one of the major seaports in South Africa and stretches for 16 km along Algoa Bay. Nicknamed "The Friendly City" or "The Windy City", Port Elizabeth was a buzz with activity and we had to negotiate our way carefully through the peak hour traffic. Finally we left the town and headed off to Port Alfred. I relaxed and enjoyed the surrounding scenery. After about a 1hr 45min drive we finally arrived in Port Alfred having negotiated through roadworks and detours, just as the sun was setting taking the last glorious orange and pink hues with it.
The next day I awoke to the birds chirping as the sun was rising promising to be a glorious day. I was delighted to find that my friends house is situated right opposite the Kowie River with their own personal jetty! Port Alfred, known fondly as the 'Heart of the sunshine coast' is a small town situated on the eastern seaboard half-way between Port Elizabeth and East London and boasts picturesque beaches. From where I was standing The Kowie river to my right ran towards the town and to my left inland. It was low tide and in the distance I could see someone, fully decked out in his bright yellow waterproof overalls mud crabbing.
Other than visiting friends I wanted to travel to a small town nearby called Alexandria where I was hoping to find one of my ancestors graves. It was a long shot as the only information I had was that she was buried in a cemetery under a big tree in Alexandria. So off we set, two woman in a blue Mercedes, determined to find a grave!
We travelled via the town of Bathurst where I saw the Historic Pig and Whistle Inn. Finally after approximately an hour's travel we arrived at the small and quaint farming town of Alexandria named in 1856 after Reverend Alexander Smith.
We didn't have a clue where we were going so we just drove down what seemed to be the main road through the town. We soon spotted what appeared to be a small fenced off cemetery right next to the road. I couldn't believe our luck. I hopped out the car and ran eagerly to read the names on the tomb stones. I soon realized that this was a small family plot and none of the names vaguely resembled what I was looking for. Disappointed I climbed back in the car and we travelled a little further down the road only to find that this was already the border of the town. We turned around and drove back down the way we had just come thinking that maybe the nearby NG Church we had passed might hold the key.
Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I spotted some grave stones behind a rather remote overgrown and wooded area. My friend made a sharp exit to the right and we soon found the entrance to a very neglected and old cemetery. My heart was a flutter "Could this be it"? We pulled up on the overgrown road and in front of us stood a deserted dilapidated building. To the left of us we could see many run down tombs and grave stones standing in silent isolation.
This very overgrown area was hidden from the main town road and the two of us felt quite vulnerable. However when I spotted a large tree towards the middle of the cemetery my curiosity got the better of me and I couldn't resist looking for the grave. We both got out the car and suddenly heard voices in the distance. Who could it be? My friend took a peak around the edge of the trees and saw what seemed to be a group of council workers on what appeared to be their lunch break. She felt that we would probably be safe enough.
I suggested that my friend wait in the car while I took a quick look. I walked in a straight line and something made me stop just as I reached the canopy of the large tree. I looked down towards the ground and to my absolute astonishment there it was! I couldn't believe my eyes. I called to my friend who came running and we just stood there in complete silence and amazement. Oblivious to anything around us.
In the sheer emotion of the moment I became totally overwhelmed and my eyes welled up with tears. As the tears rolled down my cheeks I tried to clean the inscription of the tombstone with a wet wipe which was the only thing we could fine to use. Neither of us noticed the approach of one of the workers who had been sitting having his lunch while perched upon one of the old tombstones. We were startled by his sudden presence as he now stood right next to us. The next moment we both witnessed the most incredible act of kindness. This stranger never said a word he just reached forward and gently removed the cloth from my hand, then proceeded to wet it with what was obviously his own bottle of drinking water. He crouched down and carefully wiped the stone clean of all the passing years of dirt, mould and grime. This was truly a very special moment. We thanked him and he left us alone and I was now able to read and document the full inscription.
I don't think this man realized the impact that his random kind deed had on us, leaving us feeling like we had just been a part of something truly special.
I took some photos and we left. We made a brief stop at the old NG Church where I was also able to view the historical marriage and death entries, finding many more possible links to our family heritage.
We drove back to Port Alfred mostly in silence, soaking in our recent experience. I will never underestimate the power of positive thought and determination and the kindness of strangers.
Ask our travel consultant your questions here. She would love to assist.
