A Cu Berry Memory,
It didn’t happened, the Zahid family stayed firmly in
Malaysia this December school holidays. After three years in a row, Globe- or
rather Europe- trotting Mama said lets rest this year, and see what happens
after Kakak and Zahir finishes their respective PT3 and UPSR/KSSR this new
school year, God willing. A last minute Asian location for snow was also voted
down. So we decided on a cuti cuti Malaysia location but only
after the mandatory visit to KB for the children to reconnect with their
cousins. Papa also had University Seminars and Surau Ceramahs to attend to in
KB which fits the bill to a tee, whilst Mama reengage with her siblings. We learnt
our lesson this year and decided to fly to KB instead of driving, to avoid what
happened last year during the flood prone season. A back to KB trip turned into
a sojourn in Pangkor when the East West Highway became impassable through a
land slip. However we were not spared flood related suspense when Cik Yum’s
house seemed temporarily threatened with a mini flood. As Papa was a Seminar
speaker the next morning, we seriously considered buying Papa, Phua Chu Kang
plastic boots to walk to the main road to be picked up by Hj Shukri for the
Seminar. However providence was with me, the mini flood didn’t happened and I
managed to drive Cik Yum’s Wish to the Seminar. A participant have the option
to miss a Seminar, a Speaker has to be there come hail, rain or fire. I, and
other members of the Movement for Monetary Justice NGO, are passionate about our
Cause, in revealing the true cause of the current financial woes of ordinary
people, being the virulent, poverty gap widening, and purchasing power stealing,
current Monetary System.
A choice was given as to where our cuti cuti Malaysia
location should be, and led by Adila the choice was overwhelmingly Cameron
Highlands. There is only one place for us in CH and that’s the full of ambience
hamlet like Resort on top of the Tanah Rata hill. I will name the place if the
Resort owner will agree to a suitable advertising fee 😄. Papa have always wanted to
return to this place to chase memories and repeat picture poses we took ten
years ago. Ten years ago strawberries were cu-berries to the two preschool
girls, and Zahir’s stroller was a permanent part of the family armament. We found
the location where we took the picture 10 years ago and tried to repeat the
pose with Mama as camerawoman. Kakak repeated her pose perfectly, Adila
replaced her cheeky grin with a teenager’s smile, and Zahir stood in front of
Papa instead of being carried in Papa’s arms. Yes Cousin Kat, your Uncle
cheated by not carrying Zahir but you will forgive me I’m sure for the 2 month
old baby then is, well, not quite a baby now. We also repeated one together with Mama in front of the
Resort’s signpost, but this time with a family selfie just to keep up with the
times.
We had more time to explore Cameron this time round and
drove through every nook and corner we missed before. The famous Resort-organized Cameron Walks
will however remain in Papa’s Wish list as the magnetic attraction of internet and Miss Weefee was
too strong for the family.
And I might add Cameron was particularly cold this
time round, middays at 16C and I’m almost certain much lower in the wee hours
of the night. I am glad we were not born Cameronians though, as the family
could hardly get out of bed in the hibernation inducing cold. The cold however
reminded us of how luxurious a piping hot rain water shower can be.
Praise be
to Allah for simple blessings.
Zahid
