Stories from Deli

Deli Planter by Kleian

With a much sharper and quick swing, which threw us up a notch for the last time, we turned into the driveway of “Hotel de Boer”.

With a jerk, causing the vehicle to creak in all its depths, the wagon pulled up in the front yard right in front of the main entrance.

Oh, my legs, my legs, Koos sighed. What have I started. I’m broken. A handsome boy who once again persuades me to get into such a whirlwind.

We had already heard a few things about the busy hotel on board, it was not disappointing. Spacious, fresh halls, with colorful murals and mirrors. Everything looked brighter and more cheerful.

As soon as we were seated, a smiling Chinese servant came to our table to take the order.

In the great hall sat about a hundred planters who had come to Medan from all over the East coast to spend their hari besar.

There was shouting, laughter and singing, it was a pagan spectacle. To make yourself understood, you had to turn your vocal cords to fortissimo.

It’s funny, isn’t it, van Dalen called to me.

I just nodded back. I couldn’t scream that loud. Bottles, with a volume of almost a liter of heavy German export beer, were continuously brought in by the quick servants. What a thirst was quenched here!

Because of the hari besar, rijsttafel was served. My stomach was craving a piece of food. In the morning, I had used little, partly out of emotion and also because of the rush I made to watch the shore from the deck.

I was therefore pleased when it was unanimously decided to go to the dining room.

On the table there were countless dishes with vegetables, meat, chicken, fried and boiled fish, shrimps, prawn crackers, too many to mention.

Several dishes were unfamiliar to us, but except for a few very spicy dishes, everything tasted excellent.

Although there was enough noise in the dining room too, at least you could make yourself heard here.

Every now and then, you had to get up again for a new greeting. Everyone seemed to feel the need to test the stamina of your shoulders, for a continuous blow to this announced that someone was standing behind you to greet you.

It did not take much human knowledge to accept all the remarks as a joke. The novice was constantly being fooled, but always in a really witty way. There you have Van Oosten, your boss, Zeegers!

Once again, we put down fork and spoon to be introduced.

Mr. van Oosten requested a chair and sat down with us. He had already eaten with friends in town.

It was a barrel round, pleasant boss. He inquired with interest about anything and everything. While talking, he stole a shrimp or a piece of prawn crackers here and there.

Jaap first heard from him where he was actually placed. It was far away. About 190 km from Medan.