AussieRoots

Maria grew up in a shack on a lake, on the outskirts of Perth, Western Australia. Her Dutch immigrants parents thought she was adorable, but her older brother and sister, knew better. Both more than 10 years her senior, they suffered the indignity of minding little miss bossy boots as their parents drove taxi (as immigrants do). She'd yell "Quick! Someone! Bring me a Potty!" She was lucky to have grown up at all! At age 9, Maria traveled with her parents from Australia to Europe thru Asia. It took 9 months. Her perspective about race, religion and culture were forever broadened. Then her parents separated, and before returning to Australia, she spent 3 years in London with her mother, going to public school and cleaning bathrooms to help make ends meet. All that yelling for a 'potty' came back to bite her.