Back in the village...
10:50 PM
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
For the first time in my life I can truly said that I "balik kampong". ("Balik" means "return" and "kampong" means "village". "Balik kampong" in Malay means to go back to your village hometown where you were originally from.) Okay so, it's not exactly MY kampong. I wasn't from there. I'm a city-born kid. But I've always envied people saying they are going back to their kampong for Hari Raya and stuff. I do go to my Uncle's kampong and my Grandaunts kampong in JB. But it's a one day affair, more like visiting. Not exactly "return".
Last weekend, I actually went to a village somewhere in Indonesia. My late-grandfather's relatives' village. And stayed there for 3 days...YES. A city girl like me in a VILLAGE. Okay, so I cheated. I stayed in a hotel. But still for the rest of the day was spent going all over the island to visit god knows how many long lost relatives...not to mention some cute second-cousins and all! Hehhee...
The 2 hour ferry ride is one that I will not forget for a long time. I almost thought I was on a jet-ski. It was raining,mind you. I was not exactly sea-sick but I think my heart stopped beating on a few occasions when the whole ferry jumped. I'm not kidding.
One of the thing I valued while I was there was well, time. It's like you have all the time in the world. Yes, I was on leave, so I wouldn't think about work. But see even if we're at home, we'll be thinking of doing so many thing we didn't get to do on a daily basis due to work. And in the end, we tire ourselves trying to do so many things. But over there, its like you have all the time in the world. No planning whatsoever. It's all impromtu, whirlwind ride. It's a carefree life I could get used to.
And sleep is another thing which is weird. Somehow the night seems so long and you've felt like you've slept enough and when you turn to look at your watch. It's only 5.30AM. Here, I've always felt like I didn't get enough sleep!
Can I survive there? Well, apart from being a prey for all the mozzies there (I think I've donated so much blood!), and the "toilet and bathroom" situation, it's a peaceful place to unwind. Do I want to live there? Err...let's just say that if I buy over the whole island and build proper plumbing system and roads, it's a possible place to migrate to. :D
