Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Aidilfitri 2011 in Kedah

Dear Diary,

My happy family

With my parents

If our balik kampung trip was smooth sailing, totally the opposite was our journey home to KL last Saturday. We were trapped in traffic jam for almost 90% of the journey. We started our journey at 12:30pm from Alor Setar, fetched a relative at Seberang Jaya at 1:30pm, went to a kenduri and beraya in Ipoh from 4:30 to 6:30pm and finally arrived at parents in law’s house in Shah Alam at 1 am something. There were a couple of stops in between for eating, toilet and freshen up. We were moving at average of 40 to 50 km/h, at times only 20km/h. This was using the highway. No, the anguish did not end there! We also had to endure long queues everywhere – toilets, petrol pumps, toll booths and cashiers. It was one looooong tiring trip home. Believe me; you don’t want to be caught in a jam when you’re traveling with babies/toddlers/kids!

Let’s move on to my raya story. This year’s turn was to beraya in Kedah. In Malaysia, since raya holidays coincide with Independence Day holiday, most of Malaysians got to take long leave. As usual, morning of first raya was celebrated with the usual stuffs – going to mosque for solat raya, asking for forgiveness among us, taking family portraits, receiving guests etc. In the afternoon, it was our turn to make raya rounds at relatives’ houses.

My parents

My brother's family

Second raya, we went to Gurun, Seberang Jaya and Ayer Itam, Penang for more raya rounds at relatives’ houses. We were filled to the max with all sorts of rices (nasi hujan panas, nasi tomato, nasi minyak etc), chicken and beef rendang, ayam masak merah, ketupat and not to forget various types of kuih raya. There were also desserts served.

The grand kids

Third raya, we brought all the kids for some jalan-jalan Alor Setar and Jitra. At night, we went to my uncle’s house for mi bandung dinner. Fourth raya was spent relaxing at home and packing for trip back to KL. Fifth raya was time to say goodbyes.

One big happy family...ni pun ramai yang takde

Besides making amends, festivity like this is the best time to bridge relationships or any gap between families particularly and humans generally. Take some time from our busy schedules and spend it with people who are important in our lives. I am so blessed to be given precious chance to spend raya this year with my love ones.

ps: My youngest brother is not in any picture because he was the photographer for the day. My sister and her husband had to work on raya day :(

2 notes of inspiration:

Ermayum said...

gilos nak pengsan kalau 50km per hour - belum pernah lagi -

looks macam ramai and big family bila dah ramai2 se kecik kecik ni parents Unai must be very happy anak anak semua balik

Unaizah said...

Ermayum - Bukan nak pengsan lagi dear ....memang pengsan terkujur dah!!!! My parents were so happy bila kami semua dpt berkumpul reramai camtu. My mother siap amik cuti panjang. Tp my sis & her hubby tak dpt balik. They had to work (sorang in food & beverages industry, sorang in keje beruniform).