Linda Askitis
1974-1977
Email: lindat44@bigpond.net.au

 

19/6/03

Wow, reading all those stories is a real blast from the past. How do people remember so much detail from such a long time ago.

My memory is not so good, I only remember bits and pieces so I thought I might do a list rather than a story.

* Salty plums - it took me two years to actually be able to keep one in my mouth and pretend to like them.

* Char Kwoy Teow - wrapped in newspaper to take home (I guess its our equivelent to fish & Chips)

* Buying cigarettes for 5c each.

* Running up the hill from the bus stop trying to reach home before the skies opened up.

* Riding around in our purple Hillman

* Dancing at the Joeys dances - Kung Foo Fighting, Smoke on the Water, and Ballroom Blitz come to mind. Also the dressing up for the Joeys dances - we thought we were so cool.

* Parcels from Australia

* The blind men selling cane baskets around the streets - door to door.

* Night markets - buying and eating warm roasted nuts

* Playing basketball against the American Dalat(sp?) school.

* Being sent out of Art class each lesson as soon as Mr Sadokierski walked in the room (wasn't my fault I'm not creative!)

* Listening to my 6 yo sister singing along to the ads on Malaysian TV - She can still sing the Malaysian Milo ad.

Lots more memories come to mind, many I won't admit to. Would love to get to Penang in 2005 but am concerned I will be disappointed as things have changed so much.

2nd June 2006

Well as an amendment to the above, I didn't get to attend the Penang reunion in 2005, I ended up visiting Penang in March 2006 and I had a ball. Initially I was worried that there would have been too many changes and I would be disappointed but to my surprise there was so much of the old Penang I felt right at home. I was lucky enough to be able to go inside my old house and take photo's as it's now a homewares shop.

I enjoyed my visit so much I am going back in August 2006 and taking my mum. I am involved in a Penang Travel Forum so if anyone would like to read about my trip you can find it at www.penangtravelforum.com