Warm, warm welcome!

Finally I’ve reported for service but since the morning session was over, the afternoon session supervisor introduced me to the teacher with whom I would be sharing living quarters. It was the only quarters with vacancy as all six units at the Hilton of SMK Serian were already fully occupied. (I found out later that the units were meant for graduate teachers but some units were being occupied by non-graduate teachers who were school hostel wardens. It was some kind of incentive for willing to be a warden). Since the teacher with whom I would be sharing living quarters was free, she was asked to bring me to the quarters.

Nothing cheery about the place, wooden quarters on stilts, looked rather run down with torn mosquitoe-netting and old peeling paint work. And if you think the place only looked depressing from the outside, think again! The quarters was hot like an oven (what a warm welcome!) and the only furnishing was some wooden chairs that would practically swallow anyone who sat in it. (The chairs were definitely more than Asian-size!) There was no luxury of having any cushioned seats and even the rattan-seat of some of the chairs had extra ventilation (there must have been some very sharp-bottom people staying in the quarters before) while some had the rattan base already replaced with plywood.

The kitchen was small with a small wooden table, a couple of wooden stools and this contraption known as the kerosene stove. The only stove I’ve ever used before was the gas stove. I guess some where along the road to obtain a degree, I must have missed something!

The occupants here did not share cooking. It was not the case at one time but since the present occupant, the teacher, caught a former housemate using the toilet brush to clean the wok, she just couldn't stomach anymore shared cooking. Can’t blame her, right? So since then, it has been: to each her own. The teacher did her own cooking using her own single kerosene stove while the other occupant, a laboratory attendant who had a toddler with her, did hers using the double kerosene stove that came with the quarters and so, I would also have to do my own cooking. But then, how did one cook rice using a kerosene stove? Besides, there was also a problem with water supply which meant I would have to store water for daily needs including cooking. Looked like I wouldn’t be having rice for a long, long while even if I could do the daily marketing! (There was no refrigerator!)

Next, the most important place: the high court. It was reasonably clean with hardly any stains except for some green moss in the corners of the cement floor at the farther end but at least the bowl was still white. Thank goodness! The bathroom was also not that bad though I wouldn’t step in without slippers. Next to the bathroom was a small narrow store room but used for drying garments instead.

There were actually only two bedrooms in the quarters, one was occupied by the teacher while the other was occupied by the laboratory attendant and her toddler daughter. The so called available vacant room was actually the dining room but, it had never been used as such. It had been used as a bedroom because of the shortage of living quarters in the school. There was only a single rattan-based wooden frame bed with a single table and a chair in the room. The rattan-base of the bed was sagging and even if it didn’t give way under my weight, it sure didn’t do any good for my back. There was no fan in the room (another warm welcome!) and since it was actually the dining room, the light switch was beside the door on the outside. Well, beggars can’t be choosers!

At least, the room being more spacious, was one grade better than the kitchen and most important, I had a place to stay. I was also given a spare key to the quarters which meant I could go in and out as I please and I didn’t have to play mouse anymore. Ha ha!

We sat, we stood, we walked and we played cat and mouse.

Finally reached the other side of the river safely. Now, our immediate mission was to look for Kuching Plaza. Who can we approach for direction, after all we’ve been taught never to talk to strangers! Scouting around, we noticed a visitors’ information office tug in a corner and without hesitation we made a beeline there. With the direction obtained from the officer on duty, we headed for the designated place.

No sweat, as we managed to find the place easily. We only realised we were famished upon arriving (it was way past lunch time) and without a minute to waste, the guy (real gentleman) went in to buy food for everyone while the rest of us waited in front of the main entrance. The reason for this is, we wanted to be clearly visible to the posting officer when he arrives. No way is he going to miss us!

We gobbled down our burger in no time. Then we sat, we stood, we walked along the steps and we sat, we stood, we walked along the steps (not necessarily in the order stated) for what seemed like an eternity. Can never explain why when we wait for someone, the waiting time always seem to be like forever. Getting worried, one of us went inside to make a call to the officer and came back with the message that we should stay put and he will be with us as soon as he has settled some matters at the office. Well, back to: we sat, we stood, we walked along the steps until we couldn’t believe our eyes when the officer finally showed.

The officer didn’t come with good tidings though. Since he has not had sufficient time to study our predicament and it being quite late, he told us to hop into his car and he will send us to the Rest House where those posted to other divisions were put up for the night before they continue their journey the next day. There’s a catch, however. No booking has been made for us to stay there for the night so we have to sneak in and squat with those who have been officially registered for the night.

Luckily for me, I have a friend posted to 2nd Division and she’s staying at the rest house that night. (In those days, there was only one express bus to 2nd Division and it leaves early morning). Naturally, I squatted with her but putting up as an unofficial guest meant we had to play cat and mouse with the caretaker and playing mouse was no fun. I had to make sure I’m as quiet as a mouse in the room and when I needed to go to the bathroom or answer nature’s call (there was no attached bathroom), my friend had to make sure the coast is clear before I make a quick dash to and fro. Thank goodness I only had to play mouse for just one night. Life as a mouse must be real stressful especially when there’s a cat lurking along the corridor!

We went to bed early as that was the best way to stay quiet and it had been a long day! Anyway, I’m thankful and grateful to my friend for her stake-out and also her willingness to share not only her single bed with me but her milo and biscuits which were our dinner that night! (Remember, never travel without packing any biscuits as you never know when or where you might need it to survive!).