The Golden Land

by Di Morrissey

  ‘Why did you decide to come to Queensland?’ asked Natalie.

  ‘You can only take that climate for so long. And I wanted a change. See what things are like this side of the country.’ He shrugged. ‘Money’s just as good and I reckon that the conditions are better, too, at least out where Mark and I are. And I reckon I’d better do something with me money, so I’m thinking of buying a unit in one of the high-rises here. Mark is going to show me around.’

  ‘Tomorrow. If you haven’t got anything planned, Nat?’ said Mark, coming from the kitchen with two fresh beers.

  ‘I was thinking of a picnic at the beach with the kids. There’s that spot with that lovely kids’ pool. And you two could surf,’ said Natalie quickly.

  ‘Not me, mate! I’m no surfer dude. Don’t worry, I’ll check out some other things, you hang with the kids,’ said Brad cheerfully.

  ‘I’ll drop you down at Main Beach and point out where we’ll be. You can join us later, if you want,’ offered Mark.

  ‘Yeah, that would be great, thanks.’

  Mark and Natalie held hands, watching their children run along the water’s edge in the dribbling wavelets. Everywhere there seemed to be people, walking, jogging, throwing a ball for a dog or playing in the water.

  ‘It’s so nice and safe for the kids here. If you don’t look behind us, we could be on a tropical island,’ said Natalie.

  ‘Except that the swaying coconut palms are highrise apartments,’ said Mark.

  ‘I know. And it’s a shame they cast long shadows across the beaches in the afternoon but there are so many pretty places like this. I think we’re lucky to live here. I love the little park at the end of our street that faces the water. When the tide’s out, people let their dogs race around on the sandflats. The big kids sail model boats and even little boys can fish there. We’ve found all these spots where we can go for picnics. People pay to come here on holidays, and we get to enjoy it every day. Well, I do at least. And you will, too, eventually.’

  ‘Yes. I appreciate it more every time I come home,’ said Mark. ‘Especially after the boring landscape near work, and the dirt and noise of the mine site. No wonder Brad wants to buy a piece of paradise here.’

  ‘I think it must have been more of a paradise before all this development,’ said Natalie. ‘Years back, Brisbane people used to come down here by boat for holidays. Jodie was telling me that when her grandfather came here in the thirties there were still sandy bush tracks down to the beach. It all really started to develop in the 1950s. Honey-mooners came from everywhere in the sixties and that big Japanese boom in the seventies pushed things along, too.’

  ‘I suppose it’s had its ups and downs over the years, like lots of places. When I was first working here, the Barrier Reef islands were a popular holiday spot for international tourists. But Australians still come here for holidays and lots decide that they’d like to live here permanently. It used to be the retirees and now it’s people like us. We’re very lucky to have the place we have on the canal. Even with the midges,’ Mark said laughing.

  ‘They’re not that bad! Haven’t you heard of insect repellent? Anyway, we’re putting in screens and if you’d cut back some of those overhanging trees there’d be less of a problem, I think,’ said Natalie. ‘I love our house. It’s going to be fabulous when it’s all renovated.’

  Mark sighed. ‘It’s a hard one. The bathroom has turned into a big job, it’s blown out the budget no end. And the baby’s thrown a bit of a spanner in the works re the timetable. Not that you’re not welcome, kiddo.’ He patted Natalie’s growing tummy.

  ‘I talked to Geoff and gave him some of my scribbles,’ said Natalie.

  ‘You did! Why didn’t you wait till I was home? We need to look at those pretty carefully – together,’ he added.

  ‘Mark, we’ve talked about it. I’ve told you what I was thinking and you always said it sounded fine.’

  ‘I guess so. But you’re right about needing to decide how we do it. Let’s see what Geoff comes up with. He’s good at his job and he won’t charge us an arm and a leg.’

  ‘That’s what I’m hoping.’

  Mark looked amused. ‘Okay, boss. Keep me in the loop. Hiya, Brad.’ Mark waved to his friend. ‘Did you see anything you fancy buying? We’re going over to the Ferry Road Markets for ice-cream. Want to join us?’

  As the car stopped outside their house, there was a call from further up the road. Natalie looked up and saw a woman walking her dog. She gave a wave.

  ‘Who’s that?’ said Mark.

  ‘A neighbour I’ve just met. Vicki Fletcher.’

  ‘I’ll take the kids in if you want to chat. Adam is nearly asleep. Brad, can you give me a hand with all the stuff that needs to come inside?’

  ‘I want to see the puppy,’ said Charlotte when she spotted the spaniel straining on its leash, tail wagging.

  ‘Hi Vicki. I knew that once we met, we’d start running into each other,’ Natalie said laughing.

  ‘Isn’t it the way! I walk past your place every day, and I think I’ve only seen you once before. I was going to drop a note into your letterbox. About the information day.’

  Charlotte bent down to greet the dog, who licked her effusively.

  ‘This is Ipoh. He’ll lick you to pieces if you let him. Here, give him a scratch behind his ears.’ Vicki bent down and showed Charlotte where to rub the curls behind his droopy ears. ‘He loves that.’

  ‘You mean something about the Friends of Burma information day? You said you would email me,’ said Natalie.

  ‘Yes. I’m sorry that this is very short notice to ask you, because it’s tomorrow, but it’s pretty low-key. We want to have a big rally in support of Burmese democracy fairly soon, so tomorrow we want to give people information about what’s happening in Burma so they’ll understand what the rally is all about, and hopefully join it. We’ll have booths around town. I’m on the Pacific Fair stand. Could you come and help hand out leaflets? I’d love you to come, any time. We’re there most of the day.’

  ‘Actually, my husband is home at the moment and he’ll be happy to look after the kids. I’m sure I can come for a while,’ said Natalie.

  ‘You won’t miss us. Look for the flags and bunting. I sewed the bunting, so it’s pretty big!’ Vicki said laughing. ‘I’m supposed to be the media liaison person, but I also got stuck with the decorations. You have to be versatile.’

  ‘You seem very active. Being on the committee,’ said Natalie.

  ‘Yes.’ Vicki looked thoughtful. ‘I’m very committed for reasons I’ll tell you when we have more time. Ipoh is anxious to get going so I’ll see you tomorrow. And thanks. Bye bye, Charlotte.’

  ‘Can we have our own puppy, Mummy?’ asked Charlotte as Natalie locked the car.

  ‘One day, but not at the moment. I’m sure that we can go walking with Ipoh sometimes, darling. He seems a very nice dog.’ With a partly renovated house, two littlies and another one on the way, this was definitely not the time for another complication Natalie thought.

  The next day, as she prepared to go and help at the information booth, Natalie still felt a little tired from the previous night out with Mark and Brad. Mark had suggested that they go for cocktails in Cavill Avenue in the heart of Surfers Paradise and Brad had been captivated by the buzz of the tourist strip. Brad had then insisted on taking them both out for dinner at Main Beach. It was a beautiful evening sitting out under the stars eating fresh crab and prawns, even if Natalie couldn’t drink anything other than sparkling water. It hadn’t been a particularly late night, as Natalie didn’t want to keep the babysitter up, but since they’d been saving for their renovations they hadn’t been out for an evening like that for some time. She had enjoyed every minute of it and when they got home couldn’t thank Brad enough.

  ‘No worries. It’s been my pleasure. After all, you guys are putting me up and showing me around. It’s the least I can do.’

  ‘I’ll take you to Jupiter’s Casino another nig
ht,’ promised Mark.

  ‘Yes,’ said Natalie. ‘You two should enjoy that, but you can leave me out. I’m not really into losing what little money we have at the gaming tables.’

  ‘You never know. We might win,’ said Brad.

  Natalie said nothing, but gave both men a withering look.

  ‘I hope your Friends of Burma won’t work you too hard,’ said Mark as he walked out to the car with her the next morning. ‘Don’t stay on your feet too long.’

  ‘No, I won’t. I’m only helping for an hour or so.’

  By the time she reached the shopping mall, Natalie was wondering if a famine was looming. She could see people milling about in shops under signs advertising specials and sales in order to generate a shopping frenzy. It all seemed a bit incongruous when she was here to tell these carefree shoppers about the deprivation and repression of the Burmese people.

  She soon spotted the Friends of Burma stall set up in the open-air central plaza opposite the escalator. The stand was festooned with Burmese flags, placards and posters of Aung San Suu Kyi. Thi, Mi Mi and Vicki were handing out leaflets. There was a petition for people to sign and Thi was chatting animatedly to some bystanders. A banner strung across the top of the canvas stand read: ‘Help the People of Burma Achieve Democracy! Free Aung San Suu Kyi.’

  Thi waved to her. ‘Hello, Natalie! Glad you’re here.’

  ‘Hi, Thi. Are a lot of people stopping to sign and take pamphlets?’

  ‘Yes. The Lady’s beautiful face makes them go, "Ah, I’ve heard of her." And that gives us an opportunity to give them a few facts about Burma.’

  ‘Is that enough?’ asked Natalie.

  ‘It is never enough, but by getting people interested, we are raising awareness and that’s a good step. If enough people ask the Australian government to put pressure on the Burmese military regime to release The Lady from house arrest, along with all other political prisoners who are held in Burmese gaols, the junta will have to listen. Eventually. We also want people to write to the Burmese ambassador in Canberra and lobby him to tell his military government to stop the dreadful human rights abuses that continue in Burma, not just to the Burmese and to the other ethnic groups. You know this also includes the systemic rape of women by the military? They use rape as a weapon of war,’ said Thi, shaking her head.

  ‘Natalie, word of what we are doing will filter back to Burma and give moral support to those who suffer silently, to those who are unjustly arrested, and to those whose family members have been killed and tortured by a junta that imposed itself on a country against the will of the people. Our country has been in a state of suspended animation since 1962. The generals raid the country’s riches for themselves, but we have never given up hope.’

  Natalie struggled to absorb this passionate torrent. ‘How will people in Burma know what you are trying to do?’ she asked.

  ‘People here in Australia have no idea how fortunate their lives are. People are starving in Burma, making do with very little, afraid to speak aloud, unable to meet openly with friends and discuss what they all hate and fear. But quietly, at night behind closed doors, Burmese people listen to their little radios – the Democratic Voice of Burma that comes from Norway, the BBC and Radio Australia – telling them not only what is happening outside their borders, but also what is going on in other parts of Burma. Brave people also smuggle news in from outside. There are organisations and groups and individuals helping those who have managed to escape and have become refugees.’

  A man standing behind Natalie spoke up. ‘My father fought in Burma more than sixty years ago. He always said they were good people. I’ve read about what is happening in that country now and your friend is right. We don’t know how damn lucky we are. Where do I sign?’

  Natalie stood quietly, handing out pamphlets as people drifted past. The curious paused and were gently drawn into discussions. Natalie listened as well, absorbing the information that her friends were relating and the depth of passion and pain felt by all Burmese.

  She had planned to stay only for a short time, as she wanted to get back to Mark and the children and Brad, but she found that listening to Thi, Mi Mi and Vicki talking to the ordinary shoppers was inspiring. Their message was conveyed without hubris, on a very human level. It seemed to touch most of the people who stopped to listen and Natalie was surprised at how many of them signed the petition and took a pamphlet.

  Suddenly she began feeling weak, her head began to spin and she reached behind her for a chair.

  ‘Are you all right, Natalie?’ asked Thi, looking concerned. ‘You look so pale. Mi Mi!’ she called as Natalie swayed and then slumped in the chair.

  When Natalie opened her eyes, she found she was stretched out in the chair with her legs propped up on another, a sweater rolled up behind her head and Mi Mi staring down at her with a calm, serious face.

  ‘What happened?’ Natalie glanced around. ‘Did I pass out?’

  ‘You’re fine, Natalie. Your blood pressure is probably a bit low. Here, have a sip of water.’ Mi Mi handed her a bottle of water. ‘Just rest for a few minutes and we’ll get you home. Did you drive here?’

  Natalie nodded, feeling embarrassed and rather shaky. ‘Has Vicki gone? She could have driven me home. But I’ll be fine.’

  ‘Vicki had another appointment. You can’t drive home. Thomas is due here any moment so I’ll take you. Where’s your car?’

  ‘Oh, that’s all right. Thank you. I’ll be fine in a minute. I can ring Mark.’

  ‘No, Natalie, let Mi Mi take you. She doesn’t mind,’ said Thi.

  ‘I’m fine. I feel so silly . . .’

  ‘You’re pregnant, these things happen,’ said Mi Mi, glad to see the colour start to come back into Natalie’s cheeks.

  ‘This has never happened to me before.’ As soon as Natalie tried to stand up she knew she still felt a bit odd. ‘You’re right. I can’t drive.’

  ‘That’s okay, I’ll drive you home. Are you up to walking to your car?’ asked Mi Mi.

  Natalie nodded. ‘Yes, it’s not too far. I’m sorry about this, Thi.’

  Thomas, who had just arrived, came and patted her hand. ‘You take care of yourself. We’re so glad you came and helped us. Mi Mi will look after you,’ he said gently.

  Natalie didn’t argue. She felt weak still and was glad of Mi Mi’s firm hand under her elbow as they walked to the carpark.

  At home and settled on her chair, Natalie glanced at her watch. ‘Mark and the children must have gone out. He has a friend staying and they’re probably down at the park. Would you like a coffee or a tea, Mi Mi?’

  ‘A tea, please. You, too? I’ll make it.’ She bustled into the kitchen.

  Natalie called out to her to tell her where the tea was kept. ‘Please excuse the chaos. We’re renovating.’

  Sipping her tea, Natalie thanked Mi Mi again. ‘This has been a bit of a shock. I’ve never had any problem with my previous pregnancies.’

  ‘It’s nothing to worry about, I’m sure. But mention it next time you see your doctor. I understand that your husband is away from home a lot, and you must be very busy with your two small children. Maybe you need to have a bit of time for yourself. Is that possible?’

  ‘You’re right. I don’t seem to have any time at all to relax. I seem to always be on the go, organising the renovations or doing things myself. Actually, I covered the chair I’m sitting in,’ said Natalie proudly.

  Mi Mi looked at it. The chair was certainly different. Natalie had used contrasting swatches of fabrics, featuring flowers, stripes and tiny geometric sections to cover the arms, the ends of the arms, the wingback seat cushion, the back and front of the upright and the skirt at the base of the chair. While the patterns were different, because the colours were in the same range, the yellow, pink and green flowers, the stripes and the shapes all blended and married together perfectly making the deep, comfy chair almost a work of art.

  ‘That’s really lovely,’ said Mi Mi. ‘How clever of
you.’

  ‘Thank you, Mi Mi, I enjoyed doing it. You should have seen it when I rescued it from my step father’s farm! But you are right about my lack of time. When I have the chance to leave the children at preschool, I use the time to shop or pay bills, or for appointments. You know the sort of thing. The last time I had a day to myself, I went to Brisbane to see an antique dealer about my kammavaca and to buy bathroom fittings.’

  ‘You should rest occasionally. There is a place not very far from here where they teach yoga and relaxation exercises that are very useful to pregnant women. I recommend it highly and I think you will find it of great benefit, even if you can only get there for an hour or so each week.’

  ‘Thanks, that sounds great. I haven’t done yoga since we moved. You’ll have to give me their address and I promise to go, Mi Mi,’ said Natalie, looking at her friend earnestly. ‘Today was fascinating. I have so much to learn about Burma, but I noticed today, when people heard about what’s going on in your country, they tended to be sympathetic, didn’t they? I mean, how could they not? It’s funny, Burma seems like such a faraway country, a place we’ll never see, a place we have no connection with, and yet it’s just as close as the places Australians do go, like Thailand and Vietnam.’

  ‘Yes, Australians might feel they have more in common with countries like Britain and the United States, but South East Asia is so close geographically. I think that many Aussies only think of Asia as a stopover destination on the way to somewhere else, or as a cheap holiday to somewhere beautiful where they can get spoilt,’ said Mi Mi.

  ‘And the Burmese military government has made it very difficult for people to enter our country, so the tourist trade is very weak. Also, The Lady has made it known that foreign visitors legitimise the junta, so she discourages tourism. So not many people come to Burma.’ She paused. ‘You said that you have a kammavaca? May I see it? We had one made when my brother went into the monastery. He is still a monk; he enjoys the religious life. As I told you, the monks sheltered us when we were escaping the Burmese army. But I haven’t heard from my brother in a long time.’