The Unexpected
written by : Suryanie S.

I’ve never flown before, never bold enough to go out far from my comfort place. Seems like I’m too loyal with hometown just similar from the local song’s lyric Sayang Kinabalu  “ apa guna pergi luar negeri, naik Kinabalu hati saya rindu ”which that’s mean why bother yourself to travel out from your hometown instead you have everything in your hands. After one hour twenty-five minutes across the border of Brunei, I’m arrived to the Land of Hornbills. By having to go to another state by own gives me the heebie-jeebies. In Kuching , Im carrying too much luggage and struggling myself with the some thoughts played in my mind, “would I adapt with the new environment?” “Are the people nice?” How about their food”? “Can I still feel like home?” The questions leaved unanswered.

Dorm that I used to stay was shared with another student which is local people and on that day, they brings along their families. When I looked at the relatives, I felt a little bit envious and suddenly missed my home. I listened to the way they were talking, I felt like I was in another place. I didn’t even catch every single word spoken. I was the one who supposed to learn a language and the day that I got here, all I knew was “ kamek sayang kitak”.

The next day, I attended my first class and I met with new friends. We were given tasks which we need to go out to do the assignments. I was put in a group where none of them were local people. We decided to explore the main city of the state. Without maps, without direction, without guide, we were bold enough to explore around the city by themselves. We went to the landmark of this state, the big cat statue located in the middle roundabout of this city. We took some photos as memories as a student here. then, we proceed to go the Waterfront which another famous place for local and  foreign tourists. Along the Waterfront has a river, and they provide canoe to across the river, it called "Penambang". The "Penambang" also become the attraction among the tourists. Then, we tried the local food that local people say must tried it, which is Mee Kolok and Laksa. The taste was different with mine hometown, it has unique taste that makes the dishes taste more heavenly. 

We continued our journey till we does not know where the place. We looked around, observed the people and the surroundings till we arrived at one place that they do not know where it is. We are lost. Our surrounding was only buildings. There were a few people who gave them strange looks, but were busy doing their own business. The people were ignoring them. Then, a guy who looked like in his 40s, in his casual suit, approached us, asking us if we were lost. “Kids, are you all lost?” He was asking to one of my members and nodded. He volunteered himself to give ride to them to the place that we want to go. Along the journey, we had a small conversation and seems like we are close to each other.  While we are so immersed in talking, suddenly ‘BUMMPP”a crashing sound had been heard. The crash was not too hard neither too soft. The car bumped another car in front of it when it was stopping at the traffic light. The man did not realize the light turned red. There was no injury occurred, we only shocked but felt guilty to the man who helped them. The car looked bad, but the man said it was his fault that he did not pay attention while driving.

The man felt so guilty that it made him a little panic. Suddenly, the owner of the car in the front went out of his car. We thought that the man was going to argue about the bump. He opened his car’s window slowly while watching the man walked towards them. Luckily, the man was so nice. “Are you hurt?” they felt strange. Why is he so nice even though he was the one who was troubled? The man looked at them in their silly faces and laughed. “Oh, don’t be panic. My car is alright. I just wanted to check if you guys are okay..”

I was amazed. From there, I learned about respect and empathy. Don’t make any further action without knowing what the real reason that made the situation happened like that. I found out something new in my life. Be nice to people, then people will do the same to you…