Early one Sunday morning, I hear sounds from the park across from our condominium. Grabbing a cup of tea, I look down and see billows of smoke hovering above the trees. The mechanical sounds remind me of fogging which is done regularly to curb Dengue Fever outbreaks.
Marquees are set up and at 7 am pronto, there is the explosive sound of a very friendly person announcing over the loudspeaker that 'we should come down to family fun day and to help ourselves to breakfast, before exploring the games on offer.' Music blares forth to the sounds of Queen 'We will rock you.' This is going to be a fun day.
It is Father's Day in Australia as we hurriedly talk to our daughter before heading off to the park. As we approach, we are cornered by a super friendly gentleman who tells us that breakfast is served and to help ourselves. There is Nasi lemak and chicken burgers and while we help ourselves, I try to find someone to pay for our goods. When I ask, the waiters look a little confused and unfazed we sit down happily munching our breakfasts assuming this is a sponsored day out.
'Gosh, these Malaysians are generous,' I enthusiastically comment and Bruce nods while he munches away. We get up and walk towards the assortment of games and again one of the organisors comments that we need to try the burgers but to register first.
We are unsure of what to register for but line up and give our names dutifully. We are looked at curiously as they cannot find our names and add to their list 'Bruce and Susan.' Despite not being on the original list, we are given gifts of beautiful thermos water bottles to take home which has a sponsor written on them so we are not too concerned.
Although I have a twinge of discomfort at us being here, we continue to enjoy the games and line up for a chicken burger and then ice creams.
we are rounded up with everyone else we sit and listen to speeches. Cameras are in all directions while our photographs are taken. Professional photographers line the stage.
We are thanked for our supportive roles in taking care of our 'family members' when we realise we have gate crashed a function. Mortified and trying to make a dignified exit, we duck around the back of the marquees scurrying away. Heading home we laugh wondering how long before our photos will be in the newspapers. You see we have crashed a function for family members of a newspaper we know is widely read by expats!
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