Month 6: Malaysia
This month was split up in two parts for me.
I have come to learn that while the city life can be fun and I can handle it in short bursts, I am more of a small town girl. There are a few big cities I have gone to where I have felt at home and alive. The city is beautiful because there is so much to do, see and experience. People are always on the move and the pace of life is faster.
I cannot say that about Kuala Lumpur (the locals call it KL). I did not enjoy the city life. So while my time in KL was enjoyable and I was able to enjoy some western comforts I was ready to leave. KL is a huge city that is always on the move and I felt no connection there at all. I felt cramped, pushed, pulled and overwhelmed. Although I was able to relax and spend a few days allowing my body to continue to heal, I was so ready to leave and experience a different side of Malaysia.
(Awi, the owner of where we stayed, and I)
My team then packed up all our stuff, got on a bus and traveled to the east side of the island to a small community called Cherating. I fell in love. This laid back surfing community was more my speed, no one was in a hurry and everyone knew everyone. We were able to eat dinner on the beach, worship in the ocean, make connections and build a sweet friendship with Awi, the owner of where we were staying, and just experience Malaysia. The true Malaysia. I got to feel and see their culture and the people that make the culture. I had amazing conversations and even met a woman from my hometown, Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho in the middle of no where Malaysia! Small world!
(Two North Idahoans in Malasia!)
(Left: The team cooking with Awi and her family then sitting down to eat. Right: the name of where we stayed.)
(The cabin Laura and I stayed in)
We spent two wonderful weeks in Cherating and then had to head back to KL. While in KL the second time, my team and I got connected with an organization called Malaysia Care. We were able to spend a week working with two organizations that help people with special needs. Two of my teammates worked with children, while Vickie, Laura and myself worked with teenagers and adults with special needs. We got to spend an entire week loving, learning and laughing with them.
(Laura leading dancing while I played music. When I stopped the music they had to freeze. They thought it was the best thing ever.)
Some other fun activities I did in Malaysia:
- River Kayaking
- Had my feet nibbled on by fish
- Rode local transportation – buses, grabs and metro.
- The biggest night market in Malaysia
- Rode on a bus and two trains while traveling more than 56 hours to get to Chiang Mai, Thailand.
- Tried local fruit
- 2 mile barefoot run on the beach
- Slept in the Malaysian airport overnight
- Saw the Twin Towers in KL
- Touched a monkey
- Did a photo shoot on the beach
- Touched a Jellyfish without getting stung – well he more touched me
- Watched Jurassic Park
Thank you Malaysia, it’s been real!
