The Take-out Ship

Remembering our family history, the image of faraway sailing ships on the horizon was indelibly stamped in our memories of trade and interracial relationships... Our biological DNA cells, tissues and bones, our mixed facial features, our verbal accents, multicultural mindsets and open doors attitudes to foreign influences -- every family member was personally compelled to continue this obsession!

Our family, both maternal and paternal sides, had spread out worldwide thru decades, centuries and maybe millenia in searching fulfillment of this goal. Tourism and immigration laws allowed us to travel and follow our subconscious instincts and conscious decisions searching for foreigners and foreign goods. Tracing back to our ancestry, we have relatives descended from surnames found in Philippines, Spain, China, Italy, France, Germany and Morocco. One of the most notorious -- Borja in Spain translates to Borgia in Italy who might have been related to two popes, Alfons de Borja renamed as Pope Callixtus III in 1455 and Rodrigo Borgia known as Pope Alexander VI. They were known for various crimes and immorality.

Our specific line might be linked to Lucrezia Borgia, one of Pope Alexander VI's daughters, from his illicit relationship with a mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei. Ironically we own and operate a family restaurant with a menu of mixed cuisines, combining fusion dishes from West to East; she was notorious for supposedly poisoning people and had hollow rings for it. Family stories in the past recall that she liked cooking, but only family trusted her enough to eat her meals. Thank God, no customers have complained of food nor drink poisoning so far in our restaurant.

We named our family restaurant Bon Voyage, translated from French means good trip, meaning a safe voyage to and from. The brand logo looks like a Viking ship with full sail, two flags and a dragon serpent head. We immigrated into Canada and America from Philippines, some members attaining triple citizenship. The state business registrations are in California and New York, allowing us to operate two restaurants near the port cities of San Francisco and New York. Considering other Borja relatives, Doña María de Borja funded a Jesuit mission in California -- San Francisco de Borja Adac. We follow where other more influential family members have already established territory. Aside from religious and political wealth and influence, trade and business are other areas wherein our surnames are known. Alcohol from Bodegas Borsao in Borja Zaragoza Spain are exported to many countries. We have corrupted many countries with trading wine -- really only a fermented grape juice.

We have other family names from various countries from all the interracial marriages and illicit affairs. Travel and romance is often linked within our families that a ratio of 9 out of 10 members will mate and marry a foreigner. Incest is a taboo and although the Borgia popes practised it, we cannot marry blood relatives. Most of us enjoy traveling regularly on vacation sightseeing and visiting relatives. Some trips involved quick sexual encounters with foreign strangers. Perhaps immorality is in our blood?

Looking at our restaurant menu and diet, which retain cultural references: French fries, Philippine adobo, Spanish picadillo soup, Chinese noodle, Italian pizza and pasta, Vietnamese pho soup, English blood pudding and German sausage -- our tongues taste buds are extensive, showcasing a reflection of our various partners and alliances along with our global gallivanting. Spices we stock for our cooking and baking recipes number over fifty. A favorite snack is deviled eggs -- a subconscious admission of guilt, acknowledgment of our hidden secrets and dark devious ancestors and side. Popular items for take-out, which are packed into our plastic containers with an embossed Viking ship, are: French fries and German American burgers. Most American family franchise restaurants include these two items as popular, even globally.

Ending this essay, another possible infamous relative who traveled but raided, was a Chinese pirate Lin Feng also known as Limahong in Philippines. He battled and interfered with trading ships in the Northeast and Southeast Asian seas, messing up trade with China, Japan, Philippines and Spain. Not every stranger one meets becomes a friend nor enemy. A confusing in between label is frenemy. We see even family as such, unsure whether to trust or mistrust each other. Maybe because our mixed blood included mating with both? The legendary Viking voyages probably had both traders and raiders in their ships. Thus, Bon Voyage restaurant name and brand logo of a ship possibly elicit the same reactions in our new customers -- both fear and fascination.

Refer to:

House of Borgia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Borgia

Lucrezia Borgia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucrezia_Borgia

https://www.discoverbaja.com/2014/08/16/the-spanish-missions-on-the-california-peninsula-16-san-francisco-de-borja-adac-1762-1818/

https://bodegasborsao.com/wines/

https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/08/08/opinion/columnists/limahong-and-the-south-china-sea/596678/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frenemy