NOP. I was not raised in a house made of bricks. The roof is
basically that typical "colorful" atap. Sunlights could shine in and
water does leaked in once in awhile when it rains. My parents had to pay the
landlord monthly to keep that roof over our head. There are drains inside;
homes of many rats and cockroaches. One of my hobbies? Killing them with
special wooden shoes!!
Hey, I remember the sound of "Kah Kiak". Had to wear and
run across the backyard past few chickens in order to take care of some
"big business". Oh yes, the "poo poo" toilet is not in my
house, and we need to share it with others. The backyard is connected to my two
other neighbours. We could just run around 3 houses like no body's
business.
My family of 6 lives in a room. Smaller than the one I am in right
now. No window. But at lease it has air-con. Upstairs
were occupied by others. My uncle and another family of two. My late
God Father's motorcycle shop is attached to our house in front.
Strangers walked in and out all the time borrowing toilet and stuff. It was
ever so full of life.
No. I did not had much ice creams, sweets, snacks or luxury foods.
I made my own lantern. I made my own Kite. I made my own sword with newspaper.
I even modified my own bicycle. The open sea is not far away. We
go there all the time to fly kite. We prank people all the time. Games like
gasing, congkak and chinese chess were crazy fun to us. The whole kampung feels
like ours. But once too playful, I was robbed by a stranger koko. My gold neck-less given
by my late God Father gone. =(
Now. You might be wondering, why writing this all of a
sudden? Sigh, its cause the place where I had so much fun growing up will soon
be torn down for roads. Sad. But it is necessary in order to make Penang roads
better. Will be visiting it very soon with my camera. Before it’s too
late.
With love,
Jelutong Kiddo
