This is the time when many Malaysians flock to London as the weather is getting more bearable for those who are used to the hot and wet weather of the equatorial climate. My dear friend Azudin has been in London for two months, spending his time cycling from his apartment in Finchley to West End whenever the weather permits. I have been following his whereabouts which he dutifully posted on his Facebook with all the pictures. He seemed to want to stay longer in London.
My cousin Suhaimi who has been living in London for many many years seemed to be reluctant to return,perhaps the pull of London is much more stronger than home. My cousin's son, Azrai Abdullah Azizi too is holidaying with his family in London now, and he used to work there before, where his daughter Portia was born. It seemed London is a second home to most Malaysians who can afford it. After all, it is not that bad to have been a colony of Great Britain.
It is a small village in the kecamatan of Tambusai, Kabupaten Rokan Hulu in the Province of Riau, Sumatra. During the Padri Wars of 1830's , Tuanku Tambusai (aka known as Fakeh Hj Muhammad Salleh ) fought the Dutch forces together with Imam Bonjol and Tuanku Rao in West Sumatra and in Northern Sumatra .The last defence was in Benteng 7 Lapis,Daludalu which fell in 1838. He escaped capture and came to Malaya. He was buried in Rasah in 1882.
7 comments:
Dear Hal
It's true! We have an affinity to things British. One is familiar with sights in London than say even France which is next door. Language is a factor as well.
Hank
Dear Hank,
It has a lot to do with our education when it was done in the English medium. One cannot run away from being nostalgic from the books right up to the teachers who were also either Cambridge or Qxford graduates or from Kirkby or Brinsford Lodge.
Akhi AHS,
I cannot help thinking that our feeling towards London is typical of our generation, being a party to the great colonial power. The younger ones may find New York, Sydney, Paris equally attractive apart from London, lacking that something special you, Hank and I feel.
Dear Pak Cik,
We are the generation that went through colonialism, the Emergency and Merdeka, all by courtesy of London. That is the tie that cannot be forgotten.
Tuan Haji,
Sorry that I just saw your posting on the eve of my 3 months stay here. It goes to show that I have been occupied in London. There is so much to see so much to do...as I did say, everything is here in Lobdon..less your father and mother.
Having said that, I still love my country.
London can be a second home but it can never replace our country.
There are so many challenges here despite the abundance that we see, whereas back home, there is practically none.
The next time I come here, you are welcomed to follow...
I am in constant contact with your cousin Sam, and despite his permanent status here, he is now longing to go back home.
Human Batu negeri sendiri is better than human emas..
I should be I back home by Sunday evening. See you soon and I promised Pak Cik Al Manar that I might drop by his abode before the fasting month on my visit to Gua Musang to check the quarry.
Salam
Tuan Haji,
Sorry that I just saw your posting on the eve of my 3 months stay here. It goes to show that I have been occupied in London. There is so much to see so much to do...as I did say, everything is here in Lobdon..less your father and mother.
Having said that, I still love my country.
London can be a second home but it can never replace our country.
There are so many challenges here despite the abundance that we see, whereas back home, there is practically none.
The next time I come here, you are welcomed to follow...
I am in constant contact with your cousin Sam, and despite his permanent status here, he is now longing to go back home.
Human Batu negeri sendiri is better than human emas..
I should be I back home by Sunday evening. See you soon and I promised Pak Cik Al Manar that I might drop by his abode before the fasting month on my visit to Gua Musang to check the quarry.
Salam
Dear Bro. Azudin,
It shows that you are completely overwhelmed by the Pull of London, which at one time I thought I fall into that category. But as age cathes up, the "pull" is on the decline, as the "pull" from the next world is much more on the incline. Nevertheless, please carry on with what you love because life is short. We may not know even if we live tomorrow.
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