Sinjok Upbringing Part 3

Author: Ann Sibang / Labels:

At times, when I felt so inclined, I would help my mom at our paddy field. It is not an easy task but I found it quite fun. It was difficult because one had to stay under a very hot sun and brave sunburned skin (as sun block was unknown to us at the time).  I could become as dark as charcoal but I relished the time playing in the mud.

Then we moved to Sinjok for good. Everyday, though, my parents still had to walk a total of 8 kilometers back and forth to our plantation. Once in a while, I would join them if I have no babysitter to look after me. I was a spoilt brat then, I know. I annoyed everyone who baby-sat me ;), that's what I did best except there was this one babysitter who was a tough cookie. I was so scared of her I once peed my pants. Anyway, those were the days.

I remember our (my parents and I) walks from our hut (plantation) back to the village. I liked  the part when approaching the village; I could see the village lit up by a number of small lamps in small houses. I always imagined I was approaching a big city of lights.

It was a tiring trek but at the same time it was fun. I would hear my parents talking about our crops and about lots of things. I didn't have to understand every topic or be involved in every conversation, but the sound of them chatting kept me calm. It felt reassuring that my parents are with me. Oh believe me, if my parents are away, I would cry my heart out and that never failed to annoy my brothers and sisters ;). They often have to tell me scary stories about children taken away by evil spirits if they cry a lot just to stop me crying and it never failed.