No risk $1,000
wad the way to go at the Immigration desk for Era the Minangkabau currently.
Once upon a time $500 comfortably did the trick. Now that sum raises suspicions
and prompts a leafing through the passport, one page, another page, and another
still. Hhmmming and Arhhhing. Tell them a thousand—CHOP straight-away. There
you go. Have a nice day!
Before the ropes were properly learned, before the money-show and the adequate sum established, the question would come: What's a (average-dressed no-jewelry) gal like you wanting in Singapore? (Entry via the cheap ferry terminal from neighbouring Batam—not Changi.)
A-grade answer: Biznis. Handbags, accessories, manchester for the shop in Indonesia. (B-grade would be Boy-friend visit—especially informal de-facto E-grade boy-friend; visiting a sick aunt; holiday, the Night Safari.... )
— What, you think I came down in the last monsoon?!...
Six months ago the Minangkabau was denied entry and told she should not try to re-enter for the next two months. No evidence of wrong-doing, nothing incriminating. The authorities are not required to justify themselves. Suspicion, a whim, good enough. (Just as a tiresome, harping and carping author might be told, Sorry sir. Your Visit Pass has been cancelled. We'll escort you to the airport in the back of the van here. Mind your head and safe trip.) A year and a half ago young Lia was caught at the Immigration desk with messages on her phone from cleaning clients. Six more months before she can attempt re-entry—barred two years.
Era's thou is borrowed from a fellow Sumatran family made good on Batam in the Building industry, a tenner's consideration added to the sum when Era returns the money on Monday. (Without good contacts Lia was adding $50 to the $500 on arrival here. No waiting on return back home—the Loan shark had his people waiting in the lounge of the ferry terminal for his cash.)
We talked quietly using Google Translate for back-up after Era's supper she had brought from home.
Careful — hati-hati
Aunt — Tante (from Dutch)
Where / when / how — dimana / ketika / bagaimana
Era has a niece studying medicine in Jakarta. Not nursing; medicine. Five year course, followed by a practicum. The girl calls her aunt "mother". On the phone recently from the capital she revealed the good news: Mother, exams completed. Fourteen more months to graduation.
Era the aunt very pleased for her niece and sister of course. The practicum however needed some money. Could the aunt help out with R200,000? Despite straightened circumstances Era agrees. Yes. OK.
At home Era's own daughter wants to be a doctor. All going well the older cousin will help. Seven year old Angely continues her punishing schooling regime with earnest endeavour, never any complaint. Up at five for half seven start at regular school. Back home at one; lunch an hour before setting off for the afternoon Madrasa. Five return. TV one hour, supper and then schoolwork until bed-time. Always counting off her English numbers Angely, the days of the week and months. Not satisfied with being a teacher; firmly set on medicine. Perhaps she can follow her cousin's path, hopes a fond mother.
Era noticeably thinner. Once a day she eats in order for the girl to get two full meals, chicken with one. No problem for mother, the child has been assured. The girl does not need to be told to work hard at school.
All night Era's tummy rumbling after the large dinner. The grease-proof paper pack she unfolded that had been brought from home contained a good serve of rice, with diced sausage and some chilli sauce. A shared orange; pumpkin seeds — labu; almond and pistachio, all expensive on Batam. The angel Gabriel's favourite bean curd, bought especially from the Haig Road stall, was too sweet for Era. Honey likewise. Yoghurt too acidic and sour—two spoons, not more. We shared manga and pisang; an orange packed for the weekend's cooking at a wedding in Jurong East. ($150 for two days work. A good rate with a good boss.) The packets of mee readied on the desk were forgotten in the haste for the bus early morning. (On Batam a dollar for three—half the week's food for the mother.)
In the Hadith the Prophet suggests two meals a day ought to suffice. Also the advice not to over-indulge; one ought not retire with a full stomach.
Before the ropes were properly learned, before the money-show and the adequate sum established, the question would come: What's a (average-dressed no-jewelry) gal like you wanting in Singapore? (Entry via the cheap ferry terminal from neighbouring Batam—not Changi.)
A-grade answer: Biznis. Handbags, accessories, manchester for the shop in Indonesia. (B-grade would be Boy-friend visit—especially informal de-facto E-grade boy-friend; visiting a sick aunt; holiday, the Night Safari.... )
— What, you think I came down in the last monsoon?!...
Six months ago the Minangkabau was denied entry and told she should not try to re-enter for the next two months. No evidence of wrong-doing, nothing incriminating. The authorities are not required to justify themselves. Suspicion, a whim, good enough. (Just as a tiresome, harping and carping author might be told, Sorry sir. Your Visit Pass has been cancelled. We'll escort you to the airport in the back of the van here. Mind your head and safe trip.) A year and a half ago young Lia was caught at the Immigration desk with messages on her phone from cleaning clients. Six more months before she can attempt re-entry—barred two years.
Era's thou is borrowed from a fellow Sumatran family made good on Batam in the Building industry, a tenner's consideration added to the sum when Era returns the money on Monday. (Without good contacts Lia was adding $50 to the $500 on arrival here. No waiting on return back home—the Loan shark had his people waiting in the lounge of the ferry terminal for his cash.)
We talked quietly using Google Translate for back-up after Era's supper she had brought from home.
Careful — hati-hati
Aunt — Tante (from Dutch)
Where / when / how — dimana / ketika / bagaimana
Era has a niece studying medicine in Jakarta. Not nursing; medicine. Five year course, followed by a practicum. The girl calls her aunt "mother". On the phone recently from the capital she revealed the good news: Mother, exams completed. Fourteen more months to graduation.
Era the aunt very pleased for her niece and sister of course. The practicum however needed some money. Could the aunt help out with R200,000? Despite straightened circumstances Era agrees. Yes. OK.
At home Era's own daughter wants to be a doctor. All going well the older cousin will help. Seven year old Angely continues her punishing schooling regime with earnest endeavour, never any complaint. Up at five for half seven start at regular school. Back home at one; lunch an hour before setting off for the afternoon Madrasa. Five return. TV one hour, supper and then schoolwork until bed-time. Always counting off her English numbers Angely, the days of the week and months. Not satisfied with being a teacher; firmly set on medicine. Perhaps she can follow her cousin's path, hopes a fond mother.
Era noticeably thinner. Once a day she eats in order for the girl to get two full meals, chicken with one. No problem for mother, the child has been assured. The girl does not need to be told to work hard at school.
All night Era's tummy rumbling after the large dinner. The grease-proof paper pack she unfolded that had been brought from home contained a good serve of rice, with diced sausage and some chilli sauce. A shared orange; pumpkin seeds — labu; almond and pistachio, all expensive on Batam. The angel Gabriel's favourite bean curd, bought especially from the Haig Road stall, was too sweet for Era. Honey likewise. Yoghurt too acidic and sour—two spoons, not more. We shared manga and pisang; an orange packed for the weekend's cooking at a wedding in Jurong East. ($150 for two days work. A good rate with a good boss.) The packets of mee readied on the desk were forgotten in the haste for the bus early morning. (On Batam a dollar for three—half the week's food for the mother.)
In the Hadith the Prophet suggests two meals a day ought to suffice. Also the advice not to over-indulge; one ought not retire with a full stomach.
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