Homecoming to Myanmar After 41 YearsAt the very beginning of this note, I must say that I am absolutely thankful and happy to have had the opportunity to visit my beloved native country. As a tourist, I would have thoroughly enjoyed the trip on its own. But, this trip was so much more than that. Sara and I traveled to MYANMAR to be with our relatives and to see the places dear to my heart; my schools, the homes and grandfathers' and my father's business places which were very much part of my growing up. I accomplished just about everything I set out to visit and do, including keeping my mouth shut on the political situation and the country's economy. My humble conclusion is that I must pray for that country to soon be on the way to recovery for improved quality of life and freedom for the people. When I left home in very early 1956 for University of California, Berkeley, there was ONLY one objective to achieve; that was to get my Ph.D. in "Nuclear Physics," and go home. Until late 1962 when I was going back home with my new bride Sara Cristina Wong, Argentine-born Chinese, there was to be no doubt or hesitation that we were to be settling down anywhere but Yangon, Myanmar. A very important and memorable turning point of my life occurred when, with great reluctance and sorrow, we left my beloved native country and came right back to the United States. What happened in Myanmar starting 1962 and the years following have been widely circulated in the news. We have been so extremely lucky to be blessed with comfortable retirement life back in the better part of this great democracy, namely northern California. Our three American-born grown children with a daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and our two-year-old grandson are within an hour drive from us in Davis. For all of this we are forever thankful. My homecoming would not have taken place without the constant persuasions of Sara's sister and husband, Virginia and Boonchit Santikarn. Our annual visits to their home in Bangkok stand out as most comfortable enjoyable travels of our lives. The comforts they extended us in their home have led us to nickname their Lakeside Villa as a "6-star deluxe accommodation." To all my cousins, their families, and to my sister Siok Hoon's in-laws, we are very thankful for their warmest welcome home and all the special meals in our honor.
Buddhist Temple in twin buildings donated by Ahn Kong (Grandfather) Teoh Eng Hock
The sad stories of my two Ahn Kongs' (grandfathers') once very successful businesses are clearly told by the two buildings remaining - On the left, Sin Swee Hoon Chye Chinese Drug and Herb Store, and On the right, Chip Hwat Import/Export & Shipping Agency.
The building hosts four seemingly independent entities:
The sad stories of my two Ahn Kongs' (grandfathers') once very successful businesses are clearly told by the two buildings remaining - On the left, Sin Swee Hoon Chye Chinese Drug and Herb Store, and On the right, Chip Hwat Import/Export & Shipping Agency.
In Bangkok with Family of Boonchit & Virginia Santikarn
|
||||
