Hi!
Today is Sunday, 15th May 2011.
I have a bit of time today to jot down my experience in joining HOST program last couple of weeks. I went to Northern Ireland, and stayed at Terry and Betty’s residence for 3 days 2 nights. They’re friendly folks, and I’ve enjoyed my stay there.
I was busy before this trip, and nearly forgotten about it, but thank god Aer Lingus reminded me through an email of the flight that I should take the day after. I took the flight from Heathrow at 1.30pm and reached Belfast International Airport at approximately 3.30pm.
Terry and Betty waited for me at the airport. I guess it is not that hard for them to recognise me, but not for me though because it’s mostly English there and I have no picture of them. But they’ve just taken a couple of minutes to recognise me. Betty greeted me with her warm smile and hugged me. At that time, I really felt that it is my mum that hugged me, so full of love. I knew that I’ll be in good care for these next few days. I’ve handed her the stargazing lilies with just a little expectation that she’ll love that kind of flowers and she did! I am so glad. Terry greeted me with his warm smile as well but minus the hug plus a handshake. He’s a very playful father I should say, and they really are an excellent imprint of my parents whom I missed a lot at that particular time.
After that introductory moment, we went to their parked car, and Betty insisted me to sit in front as I am their guest. I’ve kind of reluctant at first because I think it’s inappropriate. Then, I realised it is better that way because its harder for them to talk to me if I sat in the back seat.
Terry drove us back to their house, and it took around 30 minutes from the airport to reach their place. When we arrived there, I saw a beautiful home with pleasant surroundings. I can’t help to think that I have once dreamt of being at this place. It is really a Deja Vu moment for me.
They showed me my room n it looked comfortable. The bathroom is well decorated too. I’m honored by the amount of work that they’ve done to welcome me as their guest.
They showed me my room, and it looked comfortable. The bathroom is well decorated too. I’m honoured by the amount of work that they have done to welcome me as their guest.
They invited me for a drive to see the town. I’m more than willing to say yes, so I agreed. I’ve enjoyed the beautiful view of it, which the town seems like a hundred years of old, and in fact, it is. Betty and her family lived here since her childhood, while Terry and his family lived 50 miles away. He told me that he once borrowed his father’s car and drove a long way from his house to Betty’s place, just to ask permission of Betty’s father to take her out. How polite and well-mannered he was, wasn’t he? In fact, he still is.
They shown me the place where they got married 44 years ago and the maternity hospital where Betty gave birth to their 2 children, of which located beside a beautiful lake at the People’s Park. It’s a peaceful place to give birth to a child and a wonderful place, indeed.
Terry later drove us to another exciting place of the town, it is called the Slemmish. It is a hill at which a breathtaking view of Ballymena can be seen, and it is such a beautiful, peaceful and greeny, as wide as my eyes could see.
After spending almost 30minutes here at the Slemmish’s foot, Terry drove us home, so that Betty could prepare the dinner for us. After changing my clothes, I went to their kitchen to help Betty’s out, but I reckoned I didn’t do that much as I’ve no skill in cooking. Betty prepared a very delicious meal for us, spaghetti with sweet tomato sauce, it is simple yet delicious. I loved the sweetness of the small tomatoes in the sauce. I can eat many of them raw, but thinking that its inappropriate to eat so much, so I leave it for only a few pick. Terry read their prayers before we eat, and they’ve allowed me to read mine. We chat while we eat, and the dinner was followed by coffee and fruits as dessert. We did spend quite a time during dinner, talking over small matters about them and about myself.
After dinner, at around 9pm, we’ve moved to the living room and spent 1 good hour watching the pictures of my family and friends in Malaysia. We watched their photographs taken at Kenya where Terry used to teach English for 2 years. I’ve spent 30 minutes or so, later on, chatting with Betty until 10pm. This was when I discovered that she used to have a brain tumour and that fact shocked me a bit because she looks just fine, really healthy despite being in her 60-ies. Still, again, it was 12 years ago, and she’s well-recovered since.
I woke up and prepared myself around 9am, and at the kitchen I found a prepared table, just waiting for me to use them. So I just poured in hot water in my cup and took milk with flakes for my breakfast. Minutes later, Terry joined me, so did Betty. We’ve chatted on nothing big, just ordinary matters. It really helps when I got the chance to have people that are patient enough to chat with me, as my English-speaking is not that good. After almost 2 hours in the kitchen, Terry and Betty invited me for a walk at the seaside. So to another breathtaking place of Northern Ireland we’ve gone.
Terry drove us to Giant’s Causeway, almost an hour from their house. It is really a beautiful place. I loved the view during the journey and even loved it more when we’ve reached the seaside. I am totally amazed. Subhanallah. No other words can describe the beauty of this place. I am so blessed and thankful to Allah swt that He has granted me the opportunity to meet this couple and to see His remarkable creation, a glimpse of heaven on earth at their place.
After lunch, Terry drove us to Port Rush-a nearby town. There were breathtaking views along the journey as well. Terry made a couple of stops for me to take lovely pictures. We even stopped at 1 place where there were a lot of cows, and I managed to touch their noses, which Terry had failed to touch at the beginning.
We attended a speak by lifeguard officers on the new rescue boat they’ve received, and window shopped as well. It is a lovely town and peaceful. Then Terry drove us to an Italian ice cream shop, a 100 years old shop it is. I have the opportunity to buy them and myself good old ice creams – well not the icecreams that we ate are old, but the recipe and the shop that is. After that treat, we window-shopped again, and I managed to buy a few things, including Tefal cooking pans.
We attended a speak by lifeguard officers on the new rescue boat they’ve received, and window shopped as well. It is a lovely town and peaceful. Then Terry drove us to an Italian ice cream shop, a 100 years old shop it is. I have the opportunity to buy them and myself good old ice creams – well not the icecreams that we ate are old, but the recipe and the shop that is. After that treat, we window-shopped again, and I managed to buy a few things, including Tefal cooking pans.
At 5pm, Terry drove us back home. I and betty slept the whole way, and I even snored as well. Betty said maybe it was due to the walking and fresh air that afternoon. Poor Terry though, he drove all by himself, he must be tired as well like the rest of us, and he even made us dinner. I felt horrible for making them worked that hard. When we reached home, we took a short nap, and I then help Terry prepare the dinner. However, he’d made all the works, and I just sat at the table and watched him prepare the meals. He made a local speciality, the English breakfast and baked vegetarian sausages and fried potato bread, a unique local bread, as well as runny eggs. I loved the potato and that local special bread, and I reckoned they’ve gone all the way for that vegetarian sausage.
We sat for dinner then, and I really enjoyed the meal Terry prepared. Betty also prepared a different kind of cheese to be taken with crackers after dinner. The cheese I enjoyed most is goat cheese. We spent an hour or so after the dinner-chitchatting.
We spent the rest of the evening in the living room, reading. Terry was reading the newspaper, Betty was reading a magazine and myself the Return of the King. Almost 30 minutes after, Terry went to watch his favourite game in the other room while I excused myself to go sleep.
I slept like a baby and got up quite late that tomorrow morning. Both of them waited for me for breakfast, and we spent almost 2 hours chitchatting over breakfast.
I got time for myself for about half an hour before they despatched me to the airport. I spent the time taking pictures around the house. I loved their garden and their neighbourhood as well. I wish I could live in a friendly surrounding like this in the future. Insya-Allah. I wish I had their kind of relationship too with my partner. They’ve lived for 44 years together, same like my parents.
I think that wraps it all up. I may have forgotten some details, but I wrote all the things that I want to remember. I kind of sleepy now and its almost 2am. I guess that’s all for now. Bye.
* Get a paperback version of this writing HERE.
* Rest in Peace, Terry
