I can't believe how fast time is going by. I don't know if it has anything to do with getting older or the fact that we live a contracted life out here, but something has got to change. And I don't think I'll be getting any younger!
Last Sunday I returned back to Korea after our 9 day vacation to beautiful Singapore and Malaysia. These were 2 countries we essentially picked out of a hat but I'm so happy we did. All I ever heard about Singapore was its obscure rules and regulations. There are more things you can't do in that country than you can. Some of these laws are so ridiculous I was almost tempted to test one out just to say I got arrested for blowing a bubble! Gum just doesn't exist in Singapore. They don't chew, blow it or sell it.
After Katie and I treated ourselves to a delicious western style sub sandwich, we began devouring it on our metro ride to the airport... until we noticed the $500 fine we could be imprisoned for. The sub was good. But not THAT good!
I also found it pretty hilarious seeing signs which covered the streets that read, "no touting". Korea doesn't even have stop signs, let alone signs that order silence and discipline.
What's interesting though is that all of these laws are strictly followed by its citizens and somehow, it all works. Singapore has got to be the cleanest, most efficient and organized country I've ever been to. What I loved the most about this country is that it is so multicultural and truly caters to each ethnic group genuinely. From shopping in china town to eating dinner in little India it honestly felt like we were magically teleported to the country of origin. We embraced each culture head on and I've never eaten a more eclectic mix of foods in my life! In Korea, for example, if I feel like eating Italian I must be aware that my penne pasta is being prepared by a Korean chef (who has most likely never left the country) and will thus have a korean twist to it; perhaps a side of kimchi or pieces of sweet corn mixed in. Singapore differed greatly in that our food of choice was cooked by an authentic native chef and its taste was commendable (but came with a price).
In each small suburb we were a visual minority which made the experience almost overwhelming. Being a minority in a foreign country isn't something I'm unfamiliar with. What was out of the ordinary, however was that all these different ethnicities and cultures could bond together through their native language; English. When we first arrived to Singapore and noticed all the public transportation signs were written in English I was a little surprised but it wasn't until the subway announcements that I realized, I was again in an English speaking country.
I almost forgot how much easier day to day life is when storekeepers, taxi drivers and the general public can all communicate in the same language as you. Part of me does enjoy the challenge that living in a foreign country poses, but at least 50% of the time I'm pulling out my hair trying to order food at a restaurant or crossing my fingers the taxi driver drops me off at my desired location. All in all, a great time was had in Singapore even if tequila shots were $12 a piece!
As our wallets got lighter and the risk of breaking a law higher, we decided it was time to head next door to gorgeous Malaysia. Similar to Singapore, I hadn't heard much about Malaysia only that it was a Muslim country and that there were lots of naughty, hungry monkeys lying around. We took a six hour bus ride from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and checked into a lovely hostel right in the middle of china town. Consequently, our first dinner consisted of lemon chicken, chow mein, chinese broccoli and everything else greasy and delicious.
Our first full day in Malaysia was filled with feeding, riding and bathing elephants and visiting an old Mosque over taken by wild monkeys. There were hundreds of monkeys that ran loose amidst the temple grounds. We were warned not to bring any food or drinks with us for obvious reasons. I even removed my sunglasses due to my last experience with monkeys in Asia.
We had a fun night out in Kuala Lumpur before heading to a small village called Melaka where we would stay for 2 nights. Melaka is a historical town just outside KL made up of beautiful old temples, churches and cultural centers. The citizens want to maintain its historic ambience so there are no skyscrapers, nightclubs or even air conditioning. It was definitely a unique place to visit and I'd recommend it for those travelling to Malaysia. The majority of Malayan citizens are Muslim and are literally covered up head to toe. Going from a capital city to a small town, the religious undertones were especially apparent and temples were much more abundant. Subsequently, the 3 of us felt a little scandalous tanning in bikinis on an empty beach directly across from a Mosque.
So after offending a few religious Malayans, we agreed it was time to leave Malaysia and head back to Singapore where we would eventually be flying home from. It only hit me recently that Korea really does feel like home. Although I did enjoy the variety of food in Singapore and the unique wildlife in Malaysia, I honestly missed Koreas laid back mentality, their 24 hour spas, the hilarious drunk cab drivers and consequently their cheap soju. When we arrived back to Gwangju Sunday night, the air was just as humid, the traffic was just as chaotic and English was still nowhere to be found. It's nice to be home.
"Everyone starts off as stranger, Ted. It's where we end up that counts"- Film: Four Rooms
Write more soon.
Signing off,
Gillian Teacha xx
No comments:
Post a Comment