Generosity And Goodness Exists...Anywhere,From Anyone.
In a world full of frivolity and falsity, generosity of spirit and graciousness prevailed in the most unlikely place....
i was invited by my Burmese friend who is a Buddhist to visit her Burmese Muslim friends. i was also told that lunch was prepared. Though excited about indulging in Burmese fare, i was concerned for imposing as an additional guest. i was touched that they were welcoming a complete stranger into their home and to partake in their weekend midday fare.
Both my friend and her friends are refugees from Myanmar. They have a hard life here, making ends meet the best they can, making do with what little they have and living with dignity.
My friend and i had to take a train, a bus and walk a little before reaching our destination whereupon, she announced that i had arrived at a different country. i have never been to Myanmar but i was among the few Malaysians in that place at that time. i was looking at them and they were staring at me. i was curious and asked endless questions which my friend patiently answered. The fruits, the vegetables, seafood, poultry, cooked food, the language spoken.
We climbed three flight of stairs to reach our hostess's home and she greeted us with a shy smile. She looked so beautiful with thick black hair neatly bunned. She shook hands with me and invited me to sit. Already seated were a new mum with her month old baby girl, another woman and the hostess's teenage daughter. There were no men in sight. (It was only when we were leaving that i found out, the host was sleeping in a nearby room. i am amazed that he slept through all that female chatter and laughter!.)
There were no chairs nor a table. We sat on a linoleum covered floor. The lunch spread requires a paragraph!.
Rice was central. A clear soup with 'sour vegetable' and lily buds, fried beancurd stuffed with fried garlic flakes that is eaten with a squeeze of lime. (Yummy!). The customary dhall curry, fish curry interestingly reminded me of 'assam pedas', french beans fried with egg, broad beans in thick gravy. Prawn 'sambal' that wasn't fiery red but cooked 'masala' style, an assortment of sliced cucumber, sliced green mango and some bean with a dipping sauce. i suppose it's the Burmese version of 'ulam'. Sliced bottle gourd deep fried in batter with a tart dipping sauce. This is similar to an Indian snack called 'Bahji'. There was also the ubiquitous Burmese salad akin to 'kerabu' and a thick tamarind paste that tasted fantastic. i hope i got everything in!.
The ladies were amused that i ate very little rice. The hostess got worried and i said to her that i am a small eater but i would try everything, which i did. The sumptuous spread laid out before me was delicious. A home cooked meal so lovingly prepared and shared definitely tastes glorious. The hostess was delighted that i enjoyed every mouthful, every morsel with gusto. She was pleased that i liked Burmese food and gladly answered all my questions about each dish!.
Before i could even wash and dry my hands, sweet milk tea was served with a platter of fruits. Burmese chatter was in full swing... i didn't understand a single word but there i was surrounded by so much warmth, such gracious hospitality in the midst of hardship and an uncertain future. i sat quietly soaking up the atmosphere, appreciating what i was given so simply and sincerely.
My friend apologised for having left me out of their chatter but i told her how content i was just sitting there... watching them, listening to a language i didn't know but understanding at some point that the women were also venting out about their husbands, sons and other grouses. Somehow, amidst the laughter and lively chatter, i detected the 'complaints' from their changed facial expressions. What else would a woman complain to another woman, if not about her spouse among other things of course.
My friend and i took our leave after a couple of hours and the hostess asked me to visit again. i held her hands in mine and thanked for her hospitality, complimented her excellent cooking skills and bade her goodbye by bringing both my palms together in a prayer like gesture as i was truly filled with gratitude. She suprised me by returning the gesture and gave me the loveliest smile.
i was humbled by such graciousness. Those who have so little give the most and they do so generously. There is no pretence and pandering. i thanked my friend for inviting me along this visit which warmed my heart. A life experience assuring me that goodness still exists... in the most unlikely places from someone whom you would never expect.
In this day and time, full of feigned politeness and forced manners, straightforward simplicity and real warmth are endearing. It shines through as a beacon of hope, for surely compassion and caring for another human being should have and know no barriers.
i was invited by my Burmese friend who is a Buddhist to visit her Burmese Muslim friends. i was also told that lunch was prepared. Though excited about indulging in Burmese fare, i was concerned for imposing as an additional guest. i was touched that they were welcoming a complete stranger into their home and to partake in their weekend midday fare.
Both my friend and her friends are refugees from Myanmar. They have a hard life here, making ends meet the best they can, making do with what little they have and living with dignity.
My friend and i had to take a train, a bus and walk a little before reaching our destination whereupon, she announced that i had arrived at a different country. i have never been to Myanmar but i was among the few Malaysians in that place at that time. i was looking at them and they were staring at me. i was curious and asked endless questions which my friend patiently answered. The fruits, the vegetables, seafood, poultry, cooked food, the language spoken.
We climbed three flight of stairs to reach our hostess's home and she greeted us with a shy smile. She looked so beautiful with thick black hair neatly bunned. She shook hands with me and invited me to sit. Already seated were a new mum with her month old baby girl, another woman and the hostess's teenage daughter. There were no men in sight. (It was only when we were leaving that i found out, the host was sleeping in a nearby room. i am amazed that he slept through all that female chatter and laughter!.)
There were no chairs nor a table. We sat on a linoleum covered floor. The lunch spread requires a paragraph!.
Rice was central. A clear soup with 'sour vegetable' and lily buds, fried beancurd stuffed with fried garlic flakes that is eaten with a squeeze of lime. (Yummy!). The customary dhall curry, fish curry interestingly reminded me of 'assam pedas', french beans fried with egg, broad beans in thick gravy. Prawn 'sambal' that wasn't fiery red but cooked 'masala' style, an assortment of sliced cucumber, sliced green mango and some bean with a dipping sauce. i suppose it's the Burmese version of 'ulam'. Sliced bottle gourd deep fried in batter with a tart dipping sauce. This is similar to an Indian snack called 'Bahji'. There was also the ubiquitous Burmese salad akin to 'kerabu' and a thick tamarind paste that tasted fantastic. i hope i got everything in!.
The ladies were amused that i ate very little rice. The hostess got worried and i said to her that i am a small eater but i would try everything, which i did. The sumptuous spread laid out before me was delicious. A home cooked meal so lovingly prepared and shared definitely tastes glorious. The hostess was delighted that i enjoyed every mouthful, every morsel with gusto. She was pleased that i liked Burmese food and gladly answered all my questions about each dish!.
Before i could even wash and dry my hands, sweet milk tea was served with a platter of fruits. Burmese chatter was in full swing... i didn't understand a single word but there i was surrounded by so much warmth, such gracious hospitality in the midst of hardship and an uncertain future. i sat quietly soaking up the atmosphere, appreciating what i was given so simply and sincerely.
My friend apologised for having left me out of their chatter but i told her how content i was just sitting there... watching them, listening to a language i didn't know but understanding at some point that the women were also venting out about their husbands, sons and other grouses. Somehow, amidst the laughter and lively chatter, i detected the 'complaints' from their changed facial expressions. What else would a woman complain to another woman, if not about her spouse among other things of course.
My friend and i took our leave after a couple of hours and the hostess asked me to visit again. i held her hands in mine and thanked for her hospitality, complimented her excellent cooking skills and bade her goodbye by bringing both my palms together in a prayer like gesture as i was truly filled with gratitude. She suprised me by returning the gesture and gave me the loveliest smile.
i was humbled by such graciousness. Those who have so little give the most and they do so generously. There is no pretence and pandering. i thanked my friend for inviting me along this visit which warmed my heart. A life experience assuring me that goodness still exists... in the most unlikely places from someone whom you would never expect.
In this day and time, full of feigned politeness and forced manners, straightforward simplicity and real warmth are endearing. It shines through as a beacon of hope, for surely compassion and caring for another human being should have and know no barriers.
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