So it turns out the hotel/condo we're staying in here in Perak has a computer with adequate internet facilities, allowing me to transmit my usual bile to all you people.
Lucky you.
Whilst my mom's hometown is in Batu Gajah, a tiny town that boasts not only a KFC and a Parkson but also a Chicken King (made famous by the movie 'Sepet'), we're staying in a service condo in Ipoh. Just another sign that things aren't the way they used to be.
I was walking around with one of my cousins earlier and we both agreed on the same thing: Raya just ain't the same anymore. It's no longer 'meriah' (joyous). I personally feel that our parents and relatives are trying to uphold the tradition of going back to their hometowns and 'celebrating', holding on to the past, when really it's a time that, more than ever, requires new traditions.
Yes. You heard me. New traditions. Variations of the past ones. This tradition of going back to Batu Gajah, that was my grandparents' tradition. I have the strongest feeling that it's high time my parents made their own, one of their own design, something that packs the same punch as when my grandparents were around.
Because continuing this family tradition when so much has changed is less joyous and more depressing. One can't help but compare to days gone by. My cousin and I couldn't help but notice how the house in Batu Gajah seemed more packed before, the food more fulfilling, the smiles and laughs more frequent and the fireworks more explosive.
Yup. Thanks to irresponsible jackasses the nation over we are now no longer legally allowed to blow shit up. No crackers, no rockets (well, decent ones anyway), just sparklers. Shitty little sparklers. Bring on the roman candles and bigass crackers that look like sticks of dynamite!
But this is some time off from the usual hustle and bustle of the city, which is good, although I've still brought my laptop and have a whole bunch of things I want to get done whilst I'm away from KL.
I know this sounds bad, but I personally can't wait till Sunday rolls around and I'm back in the hood.
Have a good one people. Selamat Hari Raya, sorry for the zahirs and batins.
