GCP-Malaysia+ (Stranger in my home region?)

It's 4:04 am as i write this post. Not all who wander are lost (404 = Internet geek reference).

Yes, jetlag is real. I thought i could stave off the ZzZzZ-monster attacks, but it was futile. The mid day nap ended up being a a full blown eight hour Zzzzz-time - i woke up at 10:30pm. Now i'm wide awake pondering what i'll do in a couple of hours... Might as well blog a little

--

NOTE: I must remind outside readers of this blog that most GCP participants have never left the United States. In fact for some participants, the trip is their FIRST time on an airplane. Traveling non-stop for 25+ hours (flights + layovers) is NO JOKE even for the seasoned traveler.  

Being from the region, I have my expectations. Were they unreasonably high? I don’t know – Would you like to try durian? How about a runny half-boiled egg mixed with soy sauce? The point I’m making here is that I had to remember that the trip was not about what MY expectations were as much as what my group would experience in their short time.

(Remember, many participants have never left the United States. Whatever they know about these exotic foreign locales come from whatever research they can piece together – Wikipedia, Zoolander, Discovery Channel, Travel channel, lonely planet guidebooks etc).

--

I'm uncertain of previous GCP trips, but I believe I'm one of the few GCP trip leaders who comes (born and raised) from the region visited, hence my expectations.

GCP leaders are told to manage expectations on the run up to the trip, i.e. don't promise sun, sand, and sea, because you might end up with clouds, rainforests and humidity.

Sun - the blazing tropical sun was a constant companion but we are thankful for plentiful cloud cover.

Sand – we had sand and more (rocks, pebbles, mud) as we trekked rainforests (can’t forget the leaches too)

Sea – we had views of the sea and we were drenched in the humid weather.

It would be an experience.

Juxtapositions of new world and old world.

Strangely familiar, yet so foreign

These are some of my thoughts and observations.

 --

1.      Eating at a hawker center (food court but a lot more hectic)

 “I’ve no idea what to order…”

 “Use that packet of tissue to reserve your spot!”

Experiencing a meal in Malaysia and Singapore can only be done at a Hawker center. Hot, stuffy and busy with people. You need to learn how to “chope(reserve)” your spot with a packet of tissue paper. You need to raise your voice a little to let the hawker aunty or uncle know what you want. You need to be ready to get yelled at because you can’t decide. This was a true experience.

 

2.      Food would be a challenge

 “We looked everywhere for pizza!”

 “Whoa! This is like food network good!”

"Shiok!"

"Sedap!"

I think we did well. It was certainly a stretch to try new foods. Readers need to realize that the “Asian” food that we have in these parts DOES NOT compare to what is found in Malaysia and Singapore (Much spicier, less “Americanized”). I think we all have our favorite foods from the trip. Ask around the group members. Somebody had SEVEN helpings of a particular dish :)

3.      Coffee in the US is rather watered down and pricey

“This Dunkin Donuts coffee is a little off. How much did your cost? It tastes great! $1.60?!”

“Going to make me some kopi-O when I get back!”

“Kopi-Kosong”

“Kopi-O”

“Kopi-Susu”

There was certainly yearning for Starbucks. Thankfully those were not difficult to find in the metropolitan areas of KL and Singapore. However, this afforded the opportunities to try the local coffee / tea / hot chocolate fare instead.

4.      I can’t haggle / bargain but my team can!

“Hey Boss! How much you want?”

“Hey, Boss. I give you discount”

I dislike bargaining with shop owners. I lack the skill. I’m pretty sure my group managed to get some rather sweet deals because of their excellent diplomatic bargaining skills!

5.      Our concept of religion and belief is sheltered

“We [in the USA] dislike discussing / sharing about other religions and beliefs”

“It’s like an experience to learn and know about another ethnic group’s religion. They openly share about their beliefs and they’re happy to do so”

Because of the multi-cultural / multi-ethnic nature of Malaysia and Singapore, the various religious beliefs of each group are evident in daily life. More important is the fact that these groups have not  fully embraced “post-modernism” (probably won't either). Though some might think this as backward, I see it as a stance against the loss of traditional values. Schools of thought come and go yet some traditions stand the test of time. We claim enlightened thinking as we press onward. Yet these traditional beliefs are the very basis of cultural identity.

6.      We take our resources for granted

“I can’t take the water challenge, I like long showers!” - ME

“I learned a lot about the rainforest and its value in medicine”

Resources that we use daily are an afterthought. We rarely stop to consider the amount of effort put into protecting them. There is much to learn from nature. She holds secrets that we have yet to discover. Yet we are willing to destroy nature because we “need” these resources. Needs and wants. Something to ponder.
Water is available at the turn of the tap. Yet there are nations that need to plan HOW they’ll provide water for its citizens in the future. The concept of environmental stewardship is essential.

--

It’s not about my expectations. It’s about the experience that each member gained.

Some will be all-in from the get go, while others will take a while to warm up. But in the end, it’s the experience that matters. I’ve been blessed with a solid group of participants.

And to my group:
1. “Oi! Faster upload the photos and videos lah!!!”

2. Hope your "lo hey" wishes come true! HUAT AH!!

It's truly a privilege to lead my group to Malaysia and Singapore.    

In my best Eric accent: Good morning!