Crossing The Border

The bus turned to the bridge, smoothly crossed over  as the sea laid a view on the side. On the far sight was the big land, not just a land because a concept of nation has built a package of different system, society, a whole different world. That's why they say something about "new place new experience". Ahead was a country of Malaysia, and as the bus head on, I left Singapore behind.

The thing about crossing border by road-trip is the experience of duality by being physically close to both nation yet like a portal send you somewhere new, it is as if you're entering a new world. Now it might sound pretentious but let me illustrate with Agustinus Wibowo's experience written on his book. He was by the side border of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, yet the sight of two zone of the same ground reveal the sight of a stretched one century apart civilization. Turkmenistan had cars passing by while in Afghanistan using donkey as transportation were still common. It is not about a century apart civilization I try to pick up, it is about the mind boggling ideas of two zone. So close in distance yet so far in concept, in none of unit of measure could tell.

Crossing border give that sorts of feeling. The warning road sign has changed the language, it tickled me with realization : different zone different language different behavior. welcome!

At first it was a delight to see hills, trees, such an endless green fields. But it literally became endless, when hour by hour passed by no sight of city could be seen. It was still green fields, palm trees, and billboard and it has been five hours. Even my nap duration could not keep up with it.

Another strange feeling was the first time you tap your feet to the ground, especially when it's your first trip to that country. As the bus started to move in slow motion I ran back to keep myself near so my phone could reach the bus wifi zone. Message was sent in a panic tap before the wifi too, left me. I said I have arrived and she could meet me on the agreed spot. The bus had ran off  caring about its business and left me alone in the strange land. It does not care it is your first solo trip, or how much tackling this means to you.

When you had no clue about your surrounding, or that's what your mind made it out to be, you got to  keep your face normal, keep it cool. Lucky our country had so much in common it was not so frightening. At first I talked to them in English but as days passed by I did not bother to because they got it in second when I spoke Bahasa.

This is Ramadhan month and most of people were fasting, it could have been a greater trip if I took some physical outdoor activity such as hiking up to the hills.. but being in Malaysia during Ramadhan offered its own perk, it gives so much glimpse of strong atmosphere Singapore was lacking of. By 6 pm we always wandered around Bazaar to buy some foods. It was not meant to be the main course but we always ended up getting full on starter dishes!! You just could not handle yourself to finally see two dollars worth a proper fulfilling meal when you've been in Singapore for too long! Mind you it is a bazaar and rows of booth showed food in your face, mocking your drool. We did not really plan things out but turned out it was different Bazaar we went to everyday. Sometimes it was Malay-Thai dominated, sometimes a little bit of Chinese too, and last day was Arabian foods!! It was hard to pick favorites, deep fried are easy to like.. But Tom Yam and Hainan Chicken Rice was on point, so was the kebab which costed only $2.4 for the huge size. Cooked by original Mid-eastern people, it did not have the loads of mayonnaise and cheese you would get in American food, but it definitely tasted just right and cultured. If that's the right word.

I like the sight of different cultures and race on the street. People speak Arabic, Indian, Chinese, Malay on street, mostly are like us, in search of food. Music played on the street sometimes it was dangdut. I love the street food culinary experience here.

I bought Indian dishes too! the colorful dish spread along the table, I expected them to be sweet. Out of the three kind I bought, my favorite is the milky white one and it smell and tasted like milk too. I wish I bought more to home... Not that Singapore won't have it but economically speaking.. well. Also it is quite hard to find there.

To that shout out to Anya, Ira my childhood friend and Mba Nindy, they had me gain all the appetite back the whole journey, and I could not thankful enough for their company and accommodation.

We went to Batu Cave too where temple and Hindu statues were placed side by side with nature. We went excited seeing crowds of birds. Rice were scattered all over the ground and my friend tried to collect the remains to later toss in the air and made a new small group of birds. Kids were running after birds. Suddenly all the birds made a motion toward a spot where family (at least what they seemed to be) took out a bag of rice and feed them.

After almost a week staying there and my budget has run out for food, I had to go back to Singapore. The bus had no wifi but oddly the journey felt shorter. The driver spoke out loud on phone and sang once in awhile like the world was his, my nap was cut now and then.

By the time the bus about to get on the bridge, the feeling emerged again. The buildings from far sight were the typical HDB in Singapore. As we cross the bridge, I went unexpectedly happy if I had tail it might wiggle. I was awestruck by the fact that I am happy to be back to... Singapore. I had subconsciously made it a second home regardless how much mediocrity my life had been there. The road sign was now in English and well.. more prohibition come along.

Malaysia from the distance

Singapore from the distance