UNEXPECTED PLEASURES IN MALACCA: LE YIN AND
AMIN
I have been a frequent visitor to Malacca,
the historic town in the peninsular Malaysia which has a parallel history to
Fort Cochin in Kerala. It was from Fort Cochin that Albuquerque left with his
fleet to conquer Malacca which became a Portuguese territory in 1511,
subsequently colonized by the Dutch and the British.
This similarity in history was the reason
for the attraction to Malacca and my visits could be divided into two distinct
period. The former lasted from 2004-2008 and the latter 2008-20012.
During the first period, I was a novice traveler,
much more like a tourist, lacking the understanding of the complexity of
Malaysia. During the second period, I met a lot of very impressive Malaysians,
including the gentle Malaysian ambassador to Cuba, Mr. Jojie Samuel and made a
lifelong friend, MCY
During the earlier period I came up from
Singapore, stayed at the Hotel Equatorial and ate the Nyonya cuisine of Chef
Bong. During the latter period I came down from KL, stayed at Hotel Puri, ate
around the Jonker street, visited the Cheng Ho museum, almost always with MCY
and friends new and old, Including Dr. T of Singapore and A and I of Malacca.
This time, I came down to Malacca for just
one day. I didn’t know what to expect, a premonition swayed me to book Hotel
Equatorial. The trip from Kl was rapid and comfortable. The KKKL express
depositing us at Central bus station in two hours. I presented myself at the
reception at the Hotel Equatorial, recognizing no faces and expecting no
favours. The young girl who checked me in was efficient but not friendly (Ms.
VP), I accepted that treatment with grace.
I fondly thought of two people whom I had
not seen since 2008 (eight years): Miss Le Yin and Mr. Amin, who was the
concierge at that time. When I mentioned Cuba, Mr. Amin personally took me
upstairs to the Club Lounge to show a photograph of Raul Castro being received
at the hotel in 2004!
I felt like revisiting that photograph. I
asked the adolescent faced receptionist, male, about the gallery of
distinguished visitors, he completely denied its existence despite my insisting
that I had personally seen it ten years ago. But he was courteous enough to
direct me to the Executive Lounge.
I got off at the appointed floor and turned
into an empty room organized as an escape from the noise downstairs. Imagine my
surprise when I looked at the gentleman sitting at the entrance desk, it was
none other than Mr. Amin!
It was one of those rare moments in your life, joyous
and euphoric, an event so unexpected. We greeted each other, the warmth was
reciprocated. It was only natural that I enquire about Miss Le Yin. He grinned
and much to my joy said she was the Front Desk Manager and that she would be on
duty the next day.
He then escorted me to the Club, invited me
in. I sat in a corner enjoying the vista from this high floor of the populated Malacca
skyline and the distant sea which seemed like a memory, whereas ten years ago
one could have a grand vista of the sea, the Strait of Malacca, from this
vantage point.
A young man comes over, pours me glass of
Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, and we engage in a conversation. He is known as
Tan, from a small town in Kelantan in the east coast of Malaysia. We have a
nice conversation about Life, Happiness and Career, while I nibbled on Lamb
Kofta and chicken satay.
Soon, Mr. Amin reappears, inviting me to
stay at the Lounge and enjoy the solitude. He said MS Le Yin would be at her
desk after about 10 am the next morning.
Meanwhile in the lounge, I was engrossed in
the book by Philip Roth called Shop Talk, his recollections of literary friends
and interviews, the first two chapters were on Primo Levi (Italian, Jewish) and
Aharon Applefeld (Israeli). I was enthralled by the depth of their conversation
and baring of their inner selves, that I felt proud and happy to be a Jew.
Tan brings a young man over, introduces him
to me, Ady is his name and from Bali. He has a Hindu look to his face and he is
new to this career, just two months into. He was very enthusiastic and eager to
serve.
I received a call around 10 am from MS Le
Yin and I packed my shoulder bag and went up to the lounge. MS Le Yin was
there, in the company of Mr. Amin. It was an exuberant occasion, a happy
reunion, I felt innocent and euphoric, at this small piece of one’s life
history, so unplanned and genuine. Minutes flew by as we chatted and caught
upon all the news of the many years.
Chef Bong was no longer at the Seri Nyonya
restaurant which was a disappointing news but MS Le Yin was in touch with her.
Thus I was able to speak to Chef Bong. I had already my dates in May, as I was
planning to bring two Omaha Indians to visit KL and Malacca while introducing
them to the best model of Peer to Peer Health Care in Cambodia. We will go Chef
Bong’s house and she would delight us with Nyonya cuisine for which she is
famous. Ms. Le Yin promised to take a day off to be with me and the Omaha
Indian friends. It all felt so good!
The lunch hour had passed and none of us
were hungry and it was time for me to take a taxi to the Central Bus station in
Malacca to get back to KL. They both walked me to the waiting taxi.
It was a delicious sort of a day, adding a
story to the story of life, a nice well lived day. Thank you Mr. Amin and Ms.
Le Yin
