Geylang Si Paku Geylang

I know I have mentioned it many times in my blog or in other people's blog that I am not fond of going to Geylang. But, I realised that I am doing some injustice to my children if I don't bring them to there, to experience its unique atmosphere during Ramadhan. So, currently I am trying to psycho myself into believing that walking through the streets of Geylang will be a breeze; the view will be great - not just the back of someone in front of you, the air will be fresh - not just someone's smoke breath or worst, someone's ketiak smell...I am hoping that I won't be deaf after my trip there - with the hollering of the sellers, trying to out-shout one another.

So, tonight may just be the night that we step into Geylang - the whole entire troop. This is their first trip to Geylang during Ramadhan. The last time I went to Geylang during Ramadhan was when I was expecting my 1st child in 1996. For the past few days, HB (Hansem Bugger) & I have been planning the logistics since the whole troop is involved. I mean, what do you expect, we are typical, kiasu Singaporeans - born and bred here. Kiasu-ism is in our blood! So the maps have been drawn, the contigency plans, plan A, plan B, plan C made and bags packed. Better be thorough than sorry.

When you bring children to a place inundated with people, you need many plans. Which adult look after which child - if you have one, no problem. When you are four, it becomes one big headache because your ratio of children to adult gets bigger. In case of emergency, like kalau nak ter-berak ke...nak ter-kencing ke...nak ter-muntah ke...who is supposed to be in-charge. And children being children, their timing of wanting to "ter" all the above is ALWAYS perfect...like when you are in a traffic jam in the middle of Geylang Serai, like when you are busy tawar-menawar or like when you are just about to open your mouth to eat!

So everything looks set to go. Made a few phone calls here and there - broadcasting the news that we are FINALLY going to Geylang after all these years. Hoping that some kind souls would volunteer to come with us and help us with the troop. Well, 3 Minahs (Who die-die MUST go Geylang every Ramadhan) volunteered so we have enough adults to look after the children. Alhamdullilah, ringan sikit beban.

I think the excitement of these Minahs Geylang is getting on to me. After talking to them, I would be lying if I said that I am not excited about this Geylang trip. It has been years. Maybe I'd be surprised at what I see at Geylang tonight. So in case, you see someone who looks like rusa masuk kampung, terpinga-pinga di tengah-tengah Geylang Serai...say hello ok? That person may just be me - jakun dah lama tak pi Geylang. 8)