The Golden Land (28 page)

Thi paused and Natalie looked at the warm, smiling faces around her. She was lucky, she thought, to count these extraordinary people as her friends.

‘Your husband has a very special gift for you and it comes also with our metta,' continued Thi, ‘our loving kindness and good wishes.'

Mark placed his arm around Natalie's waist and looked at her face.

‘Natalie, I love you very much. You are the best wife and mother in the world. I leave you for weeks at a time to run the household by yourself and you are great at it. We have three very little children, whom you mainly look after by yourself, but you are always patient and loving. We live in a house that needs a lot of major renovations, which we can't quite afford, but you don't complain. Well, you did a bit about the bathroom! And you were prepared to compromise your very strongly held principles by selling something that meant a great deal to you, to help your family out of a tight spot. I think you are just about perfect and I can't believe how lucky I am to have you. So, please open this card.'

Mark had an enormous smile on his face. Natalie could also see that Brad was grinning broadly. On the card Mark had written,
Happy Birthday. We love you, Mark, Charlotte, Adam and Andrew.
On the other side he'd added a note: ‘Your gift is a trip to Burma. And with the help of your friends, you will meet Princess Aye Aye and return to her the you-know-what! Travel safely and we will hold the fort.'

Natalie blinked. ‘I don't understand. What does this note mean?'

Mark hugged her. ‘Exactly what it says. It's all arranged, except your passport. You have to do that yourself, but everything else is organised. Flights, accommodation and the travel agent will arrange the visa.'

‘But, Mark, going to Burma on my own?'

‘It will be safe for you. We've arranged for people to look after you. You'll be in good hands, never fear,' said Thi.

‘I don't know what to say . . .' began Natalie. ‘It's like a dream . . . Mark, are you sure about this? The children?'

‘All taken care of. Listen, we can discuss the details but you're definitely going.'

Brad lifted his glass. ‘Here's to Natalie! On her way to Burma! Happy birthday!'

Sarah and Steve came up and hugged her.

‘Are you surprised?' asked Steve.

‘I'm shocked. You knew about this?'

‘Of course, Mark told us all about it. We're all in on it,' said Sarah.

‘Mum, I don't feel I can leave the children. And Mark. Will he manage? And also how can we afford this? I mean, it's a lovely idea . . .'

‘Listen, I've been convinced by Thi and Mi Mi. Even your friend Vicki rang me,' said Sarah. ‘They think it's important for you to find Aye Aye and give her back the kammavaca. You've wanted to return it for ages. I've been persuaded it's safe enough to go to Burma as a tourist, seeing the sights. As Mark said, you're raising a beautiful family, you're a great wife, and you have a husband willing to do this for you. You might never have a chance like this again.'

Mark handed Natalie a glass of champagne. ‘Don't worry. It's all going to be fine. Start getting used to the idea.'

‘I guess it was a surprise, huh?' said Brad wandering over with a drink in his hand. ‘Mark's been worried you'd twig to his plan.'

‘Are you joking? I would have never imagined in my wildest fantasies he was planning this!' Natalie said with a laugh. ‘How can we afford it?'

‘It's not going to cost very much and all your Burmese friends have taken care of the accommodation inside Burma. They insisted. Mind you, it's not five star, but you'll see the real Burma,' said Mark. He looked suddenly concerned. ‘You do want to do this, don't you?'

‘Oh, Mark, I'll miss the children and you. But I'm suddenly feeling excited,' said Natalie. ‘What about you? I feel mean that I'm going and leaving you behind. Will you be all right juggling the kids?'

‘I'd love to come with you, but someone has to stay and look after those three little monsters. I've got plenty of holiday leave I can take and you can't say I haven't got the experience. For sure, dead set, all agreed,' he added quickly. ‘Jodie has offered backup if I need it. Not to mention all these Burmese aunties. What a crew.' He shook his head. ‘I just hope you're not disillusioned when you get to Burma and find not everyone is as nice as these people.'

‘I'll learn one way or another, won't I?' said Natalie with a broad smile, and they both laughed.

‘It's nice to see you laugh like that,' said Sarah. ‘Of course, I'm going to worry myself sick till you come back.'

‘No, you're not, Sarah,' cautioned Steve. ‘Natalie will be just fine. She can look after herself.'

‘Let's not worry about those things tonight,' said Mark and he took Natalie's hand.

Later, as some guests left and others helped to clear away plates, food and glasses, Natalie and Mark leaned against the balcony as a breeze lifted the ends of Natalie's hair. They stared at the twinkling lights of the skyscrapers reflected in the river.

‘This is a birthday I'll never forget. I can't believe you did this.' She looked at him. ‘Why did you do it? Because of Andrew? The kammavaca?'

‘Both. I feel you deserve it. When we bought the house, life seemed so straightforward. Then suddenly I'm gone for weeks and you had to do everything on your own. And then you had to deal with poor little Andrew, and me getting made redundant, and we then had the hassle over the kammavaca.'

‘Mark, none of what happened was your fault. Anyway, we share the load. That's what a marriage is about.'

‘I just wanted to do something special for you. I wasn't sure that it was going to work because you haven't even been outside Australia and Burma does seem a bit of a challenge. Funny thing is that when I told Brad my idea, I thought he'd say I was nuts, but he didn't. He said you were resilient and curious and strong, and you've never had the chance to see what's over the other side of the fence and that you should. So I stopped worrying.'

‘Did he? I have to say I'm already getting used to the idea of going to Burma,' said Natalie. ‘I feel I have a bunch of people looking out for me. In the morning I might feel different, but that doesn't matter because you've done something wild and wonderful, and I love you for it.'

Natalie opened her eyes to the bright morning light. Had she been dreaming? No, there was the card propped up by her bed. Before she could reach for it, she heard Andrew whimper sleepily so she slid from bed and went to get him up before he woke everyone else.

Later, after making pancakes for breakfast, Natalie took her cup of tea and rang Vicki.

‘Sorry I couldn't be there. Were you surprised?' asked her friend.

‘Vicki, I'm still in shock. I feel a bit nervous in the cold light of day. I so wish you were coming with me. Someone who knows the ropes.'

‘Of course I'd like to be with you, but Finn is working on a project at the moment, and I'm working on him. Anyway, I think it is important for you to make your own journey. You'll be looked after, and because you're just travelling to see the tourist sites you pose no threat to the authorities, so you'll be safe. I have a friend in Rangoon, Consolina Gambrio, everyone calls her Connie, and I've told her you're coming and she said that she'd love you to stay with her and her husband. They'll give you whatever help you need. They know everybody.'

‘That's really kind of you,' said Natalie. ‘Tell me about Connie. Is she Italian?'

‘She is. You'll like her. She is very charming and knowledgeable about Burma. She's lived there for about ten years and is married to a famous Burmese painter, U Win Thant. They run an art studio and gallery.'

‘What does he paint? When I think of Burmese art I think of religious, Buddhist art,' said Natalie.

‘He's a modern artist. There's huge interest in modern art in Burma. The British introduced western styles during colonial times and some local artists still like to paint contemporary art. Its importance is growing, thanks largely to Connie and Win. If you like, I'll run through some dos and don'ts and the logistics of entering Burma with you later, though I think Mark is on top of that. I'm afraid there are no banks or credit card facilities so you can only take in cash, in pristine US dollars, and the amount is very limited. Has Mi Mi talked to you about finding Aye Aye?'

‘Not yet. We'll go over the details next week. Vicki, I was wondering whether I should offer to look up her family? I know that Mi Mi worries about them.'

‘That's a difficult one. I'm sure she would love that, but she probably doesn't want to ask you to go to the trouble of tracking them down. And she's frightened of getting them into trouble. A foreign visitor taking an interest in them might not be a good thing. By the way, how are you going to carry the kammavaca? I don't think you should put it in your luggage. Better you keep it with you at all times.'

‘Yes, I thought about that. Do you think it might get taken off me by customs or someone?'

‘I don't think that customs will be looking for a Burmese artefact coming into the country. But I suggest that you don't take any jewellery with you. The authorities keep a close check on what you bring in, and they'll check it again when you leave, just to make sure that you haven't sold it or given it away. Now, it's going to be very hot and humid. I don't have to tell you to dress modestly. No shorts or bare arms. The Burmese are conservative people.'

‘Of course!' The trip was becoming more real. ‘I still can't believe I'm going.'

‘You'll love Rangoon and there're some nice places to see around Mandalay, too. The bus ride from Rangoon is a bugger of a trip and the train takes forever, so I'm glad Mark has organised a flight. It's barely an hour by air. If I think of anything else I'll let you know and if you think of questions, just shout.'

Although she practised yoga at home, Natalie liked going to classes. With Mark at home, Natalie was determined it was time to get to a class. As she settled into her first pose at the centre, her eyes closed, concentrating on her breathing, she felt relaxed and pleased that she had come. When she changed position, she was aware of movement beside her. She opened her eyes and saw Moss sitting next to her, his eyes closed, his long limbs folded into the lotus position.

They didn't speak until the class was finished.

‘It's good to see you again, it's been a while. Have you got time for tea?' asked Moss. ‘How are things with you?'

‘Amazing,' replied Natalie as she poured herself a cup of lemongrass tea. ‘I've had the best birthday of my life.'

‘I'm pleased to hear it.' Moss smiled.

‘In fact, Mark tried to reach you. He said he left a message here. He wanted to invite you to my surprise party.'

‘That was nice of him, but I've been running a course in Adelaide and travelling for research, so I haven't been around. So were you surprised?'

‘Was I ever! It was a total shock and so many of my family and friends were there. And you'll never guess what Mark gave me as a gift,' bubbled Natalie. Then she proceeded to tell him about her trip to Burma.

‘That's certainly a surprise present all right. Is this trip part of the proceeds from the sale of the kammavaca? Did your husband persuade you to sell it?'

‘Oh no, we didn't sell it in the end, so I'm going to take it with me to return it to Princess Aye Aye. Isn't that wonderful?'

‘How about that! I hope she doesn't live in the Irrawaddy Delta region. Travel there has been limited since Cyclone Nargis.'

‘I'm going to Rangoon and Mandalay.'

‘Where does your mysterious princess live?'

‘Somewhere near Mandalay. I'm so excited I can't believe I'm going.'

‘It's certainly an important undertaking. Do you have a friend going with you?'

‘I'm staying with a friend of a friend. Everyone has been so kind. I feel very nervous but, except for meeting the princess, I'm just a tourist going to the tourist spots.'

‘You must feel a little sad at parting with that kammavaca,' said Moss.

‘Not at all. I'm pleased that its journey will be complete.'

‘When are you leaving?' Moss asked.

‘Soon. Mark's sprung it on me but he's been incredibly organised. Things have worked out well. And you? Are you back here on the Gold Coast for good?'

‘I've got plans for more travel. I'm taking several students on a study trip mainly to Bodhgaya in India. I look forward to hearing all about your adventures. I feel it will change you, Natalie. Spiritually, I mean.'

‘I don't know about that, though I've never been exposed to another culture before, so everything will be different for me.'

Moss gave a little nod. ‘I'm sure your appreciation of Buddhist art and history will be enriched in Burma. I hope you make many good friends, although it is difficult for local people to mix with foreigners. The military doesn't like it. I will be intrigued to hear what happens with your kammavaca. Take care and travel safe.'

‘You, too, Moss.'

Natalie surveyed her clothes spread on the bed then sorted them again and repacked for the third time. Mark stood in the doorway watching her.

‘Take half of that out. Travel light! You don't know where you'll end up and you have to be able to carry your own gear. Mi Mi said just to take one pair of walking shoes and a comfortable pair of sandals.'

‘I feel so odd. I've never travelled overseas before and now my first trip is so adventurous. Not somewhere like New Zealand or the US. I'm going to Burma! I wish you were coming with me, Mark.'

‘No way. I don't think you would fully enjoy yourself if I didn't stay here to look after the kids. This is your trip, Nat, you started this whole journey.'