I remember long ago when Penang was still very colonial in its outlook. Celebrations which were considered Western in nature were still much in vogue as late as late 60s and early 70s - street celebratory parades, chingay, flower arrangements, processions with local beauties and firework display during New Year.
Appa has taken the whole family for such celebrations many times when I was a kid, before RRF days and life was happy. I vividly remember watching the fire works from the streets along Duke Streets back in 1970. Of course, as in our dreams, memories of fireworks are in monochromatic hues. I do not remember any other colour appearing in that pitch black sky except for white but in various shapes and patterns.
After the show, the crowd, all watching from the streets slowly sauntered towards the bus stop to head home. Some, obviously dissatisfied with wasting the night away which was just beginning, would instead start their stuporous march towards their favourite hideout den to drink their night away. That was then, everybody watching the display from the same stand wishing each other in the spirit of the new year and singing 'Auld Lang Syne'.
Appa has taken the whole family for such celebrations many times when I was a kid, before RRF days and life was happy. I vividly remember watching the fire works from the streets along Duke Streets back in 1970. Of course, as in our dreams, memories of fireworks are in monochromatic hues. I do not remember any other colour appearing in that pitch black sky except for white but in various shapes and patterns.
After the show, the crowd, all watching from the streets slowly sauntered towards the bus stop to head home. Some, obviously dissatisfied with wasting the night away which was just beginning, would instead start their stuporous march towards their favourite hideout den to drink their night away. That was then, everybody watching the display from the same stand wishing each other in the spirit of the new year and singing 'Auld Lang Syne'.
Fast forward 2015... Dateline: Kuala Lumpur, areas surrounding the vicinity of Petronas Twin Towers. People of all walks of life gather around to usher in the new year amidst the maladies that had struck the nation - the downing of its third plane from the nation's associate carrier and the immersion of half of its country by floods, hoping that the new year will symbol a new dawn.
Unlike my experience in Penang some 40 odd years ago, this time around, there was an apparent divide of its spectators.
Just like how John Lennon, while performing in Royal Albert Hall in front of the Queen and her royal entourage had said, "For the next number I need your help. People from the cheaper seat, clap your hands. And the rest of you just rattle your jewellery!"
People were all watching the same fireworks but the division of classes ensured that they were put amongst their own kind. The upper crust of the society had the privilege of viewing it in the comforts of a lazy chair perched at the edge of an infinity pool, sipping the favourite alcoholic beverage after being immersed in rendition of nostalgic retro music by the performing band to set the mood and a sumptuous new year meal. The commoners, on the other hand, had to satisfy themselves by shoving and scampering for a nice spot to view the extravaganza. That too, after braving the inclement weather and the stuffy unreliable public transport. Their misery does not end too. After all that revelling, they had to get back to life to meet the challenges of the new year in a two hour traffic kerfuffle. Do not even mention about the pick pockets and pranksters.
The haves, have to just move their bodies in the stuporous gait to the hotel room and enjoy the seed of their labour in the comforts of their plush beds in their hotel suites.
Unlike my experience in Penang some 40 odd years ago, this time around, there was an apparent divide of its spectators.
Just like how John Lennon, while performing in Royal Albert Hall in front of the Queen and her royal entourage had said, "For the next number I need your help. People from the cheaper seat, clap your hands. And the rest of you just rattle your jewellery!"
People were all watching the same fireworks but the division of classes ensured that they were put amongst their own kind. The upper crust of the society had the privilege of viewing it in the comforts of a lazy chair perched at the edge of an infinity pool, sipping the favourite alcoholic beverage after being immersed in rendition of nostalgic retro music by the performing band to set the mood and a sumptuous new year meal. The commoners, on the other hand, had to satisfy themselves by shoving and scampering for a nice spot to view the extravaganza. That too, after braving the inclement weather and the stuffy unreliable public transport. Their misery does not end too. After all that revelling, they had to get back to life to meet the challenges of the new year in a two hour traffic kerfuffle. Do not even mention about the pick pockets and pranksters.
The haves, have to just move their bodies in the stuporous gait to the hotel room and enjoy the seed of their labour in the comforts of their plush beds in their hotel suites.
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