Uncle Ringo is in Town!

No, he’s not my real uncle neither he is a real human being, but it might be named after him. Whatever the reason is, I didn’t know Uncle Ringo until last night. It’s a small carnival, a fair! But not the Universal Studios type, but instead, the Pasar Malam (night market) type that we have here in the heartlands. We decided to bring our daughter out for a walk at Khatib Plaza last night. She has been down with stomach flu the past few days and an outdoor escapade would be a treat for her. Also, it would be interesting to see her react to a local fun fair. She has tried the animal ride which can roam around malls and the train ride in the SM Mall in the Philippines which literally “choo-choos” all around one section of the mall’s atrium. And of course, the usual $1.00 to $3.00 vendo rides in shopping malls. But this one is different, it is outdoor and very similar to the Philippine “perya”. (Perya is the Filipino transliteration of the Spanish word feria which means fair.)

Entrance is free. Tickets are priced at $3.00 each for the Truck and Car Ride (the one she chose), the Balloon-Popping Booth, the “Anchor’s Away”, the Slide, and the Train. The Bump Car ride is worth 2 tickets and is designed for bigger kids or even adults.

It was not crowded. Actually, she was alone when the ride started. It was about 10 to 12 rotations on a track which went up, down and around. I was hesitant at first to let her ride fearing that she might jumped on the tracks while the thing is moving but she finished the ride quite well-behaved with a few smiles every time her truck passed us by, steering occasionally and with her seatbelt fastened. It made me realized that she has grown, both emotionally and intellectually.

Speaking of growth, I am proud of her at how she handled her latest checkup and blood test. She sat quietly and responded pretty well to the attending nurse while her blood pressure was taken. And she just cried in the beginning when the nurse pricked her finger to get some drops of her precious Type AB blood to a vial. Also, we were surprised at her latest height check at Smaland (Ikea’s playground) to know that she is now eligible to enter and play!

Oh, she has really grown…