The sun is just rising from the east as the ss Tamba Maru nears Victoria Harbour BC, Canada "Golden Mountain". A long hard journey starting out of Yokohama Harbour, Japan with a few luggage packed and some gold stitched into my clothes. The ss Tamba Maru was quite full, feeling like a can of sardines. You can sense the spirit of the ship, cramp quarters and wouldn't you like to know what the menu was, so do I. Grandfather wanted be sure we all were still listening to him. The voices of over 30 children were all with open ears, yes grandfather please tell us more we are all listening. Not packing any Chinese clothes, he only brought with him 2 suits and 1 coat, they said it was very cold in Canada.
Mr. Albert Chong Senior, known to us a Great Uncle invited and sponsored grandfather to join him on his journey to Canada. There is tremendous wealth to be have here in Canada "Golden Mountain", always telling us to keep a open eye, both eyes on the round eye's. The water's weren't to safe, pirates and ghost ships were all about.
Back and forth to China, marrying Kee Foo Chow in 1920, sired one son Jack in 1924 and two daughters Jan in 1922 and Ann in 1932, Chinese names later. Grandfather asking us how our mathematics' was and for us to take out our abacuses, grandfather letting out a belly roar of laughter as we all looked puzzled to what he meant by this.
Taking the train and settling in Toronto, working for Swift's Premium Meats at Keele and St. Clair for .25¢ a day or was it $1.00. Also working at a laundry store on Queen Street West and Ossington Street, saving enough to start his own business High Park Laundry at 387 Roncesville and buying a house at 18 Neepawa, which was accessible through the back of both locations.
NOTE: First draft, September 12, 2009 – to be continued
