After a week's hiatus, let us continue the Aceh stories. Continuing from the last article, From Pidie on to Bireuen...
Here is a picture of the main mosque of Langsa, a city some 220 km or so south-east of Bireuen taken Thursday morning, 18th June 2009. So how did we end up here? While I have made connecting stories in my Malay blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU, there is a big gap in the storytelling here. So let me fill in the blanks as I show pictures en-route from Langsa to Perlak ya.
Here's a picture as we left Langsa to head back north-west towards Perlak. What happened was on the previous night, Wednesday night that is, we arrived in Birueuen and visited two traditional religious schools...
We spent quite sometime at the traditional schools and by the time we're done, its almost or already midnight...
Our original intention was to visit the tomb of the venerable ancient ruler Sultan Malikus Salih at Geudong some 15 km from Lhokseumawe. While Lhokseumawe is about 60 km south-east of Bireuen, maybe slightly more road and traffic condition made it equivalent to almost 2 hours of driving...
Thus we reached the city of Lhokseumawe sometime around 2 am. As it was already very late, we decided to find a place to sleep first before visiting the tomb during daytime.
Instead we found the hotels fully booked. The next city with hotels is Langsa some 160 km further south-east.
Thus we decided to head for Langsa and reached the city at 4 am or so. Luckily there's a hotel available...
Come daytime, Thursday morning, it's time to head for the intended tomb of Sultan Malikus Salih.
As the route from Langsa will pass the small town of Perlak where the tomb of another venerable ancient ruler is just around, we decided to go there first.
Unlike the trip from Banda Aceh the previous day, this time me and wife took the Innova and followed the Landcruiser...
In fact we started taking the Innova the previous night from Bireuen to Lhoksuemawe and on to Langsa because the driver of the car asked us to join his car. I obliged because it was he who has driven us around Banda Aceh the previous few days using the same vehicle.
While my wife who was then 6-months pregnant was more comfortable with the more luxurious Landcruiser, I said why not take the Innova just for the sake of the driver who has become comfortable with us.
While we could be snobbish with the driver and the rest of the workers if we wanted to, after all, we are friends with Kak Ann who owned their travel and tours company and many other companies here and overseas, not with the workers, I always try to maintain good relationship with people from all walks of life just for the sake of humanity and kindness. Until they cross the lines of decency that is and forgot their place as had happened many times when we allow ourselves to be chummy with people from lower walks of life... not to sound snobbish but it is a reality that necessitates the existence of social classes. After all, I can bet that the many of the same poor people you give face and pity because of their less fortunate material conditions would change overnight and become monsters the minute they become rich and have power.Anyway, we have reached Perlak here. I shall continue the story-telling another day in my Malay blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU , then show some rural views in and around Perlak here ya. Good night! :]
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