Think something might have gotten a little lost in translation there. “Return to Village” doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as “Balik Kampung” does it? But safe and sound to the village I have returned (like literally, because we do live in an actual village), for the Raya (Eid) holidays. YAY!
The flight home was a bit of a nightmare though – crazy bumpy almost all of the way. My heart kept beating so fast, my Fitbit tracker recorded a cardio workout! At one point, I seriously considered grabbing the old man sitting next to me and holding on for dear life. I think he might have even held on back, because once we (thankfully) landed safely, he turned to me and said, “That’s the worst flight I’ve ever been on”. And people wonder why I have a fear of flying.
Normally, I would spend the whole month of Ramadan at home – mainly because it gets soooo hot in Dubai. This year however, I thought I’d be a good little wife and stay with Poss for at least half the month to keep him company. Boy, am I a sucker for punishment! Because in a matter of days, I was reminded how quickly Mr. Poss transforms into Major Grumpy when he’s fasting. Like any man, he just can’t be released into polite society when he’s starved of food. This good wife thing is way overrated – I’m so making a run for it next year!
Now that I’m back home, the last 2 weeks will pretty much see my Mum & I being joined at the hip. Between our Mother & Daughter yearly ritual of baking up a storm of Raya bickies and getting in those all important dress fittings, spa days and salon visits to look our Raya best, time should fly by really fast. Which is good, because by the 4th week of Ramadan, I’ll be itching for the finish line!
Like any celebration, Raya for us revolves around family, eating, striving for that picture-perfect group photo, eating again, presents (“Duit Raya”) and in case you missed it, more eating! Throw in a stream of visitors and the hundred or so village kids who drop in for an ice-cream but have really just come to collect some “Duit Raya” (some even try their luck twice!) – you’ll have a typical first day at our house.
And while we’re completely exhausted by day’s end and have most probably popped a button from all the food, that’s what my “Return to Village” is all about and I for one, wouldn’t have it any other way.
Diva Does Domestic 