Panchor.

I was talking to one of my friends, Loga and he reminded me of Malaysia. He is back at home and as he was saying things about his hometown, I was reminded of Panchor.

Not many of you guys would know this place or would have even heard about the small kampung area. Let me feed you guys with some information about that small kampung area. Situated in Johore and 45 minutes away from Malacca its a small village kind of area. You will see a small community living there peacefully and somehow life goes very slowly there.

Whenever we go there, we will stay at my great grandfather's house. Trust me, the house is 100 years old. It had seen 4 generations. Only built with woods the house holds special memories to many of us. I was particularly close to this grandfather, my grandmother's brother. His name is Uthrapathi and he used to be a teacher. He reminded me of Gandhi cause of his principals in life. I used to be his pet back then. He made sure I was always attended to like some princess. When he was alive, he also used to have a provision shop by allocating the hall area of the house. I always meddled with those spices and plastic bags. We used to sleep at the roof top and you dont need fan at all. The toilets are dark but the well like structure is so cool. You gotta pail out the water and bath.

The house is situated right in front of the river. My older, cousin brothers used to take on motorbikes and go around the area. We used to go fishing for prawns and fishes. One of my annae will tell me a cruel story about some crocodile in the river to make sure that I eat properly. A walk of some 15 minutes will bring us to the temple built by my grandfather. On the way to the temple, my annae and I will pluck flowers to give to the priest at the temple.

Watching sunset and sunrise through those wooden windows were awesome. Breakfast and tea times were spent with coffee/tea and kaya toast from the small coffeeshop 2 houses away. Brothers cut their hair at the barber shop that was beside the coffeeshop. Trips to Muar town and Malacca have always been exciting and I would never fail to fall asleep in the car during the journey.

Simply awesome memories. Something that I would carry throughout my life.

I miss that bench outside my grandfather house
Where I would sit with my cousins
And look at that dark sky and point out those stars to each other
While breathing in the fresh air and listening to those sound made by the river.