Gatya goes

Catja | 26 | Switzerland

[gatyagoes]

My friend Kelly and I were heading to hot springs on Camiguin island, when it begun to rain. By the time we made it to the entrance of the natural, but enclosed, poolside, it was pouring down. On the other side of the hot spring was a little kiosk shack, with an open but roofed sitting area. A few women already gathered so we decided to join, while waiting for the rain to stop. The women from the little village welcomed us with open arms, bright smiles and curious eyes. Asked to sit down in front of the shack on a wooden board, they took seats around us and immediately started a conversation. At the same time some roadwork, further down the road, was put on hold and a bunch of men, sheltered under a porch, were waiting for the rain to stop. Bored, but too shy to walk over, they yelled across during our stay, doubtless madly in love with my beautiful blond friend. We spent over an hour with these locals, chatting, laughing and observing.

When looking at the portrait of the old woman and the child, leaning out of the shack, and its contrasty environment, with the commercial, westernized posters, I realised how much this hour was about Kelly and my physical appearance. Not that the whole conversation was specifically about it, but the women kept on emphasising how beautiful we are: touching our "white skin", admiring Kelly's "blond hair", pointing at our “big noses” and calling my body “Coca Cola bottle”-shaped. Flattered about the compliments it was at the same time uncomfortable. I felt like being put on to another, a higher, level and it was almost upsetting to hear how much they wish to look like us, with its peak when they started to call their noses them of monkeys. Only afterwards I realized them admiring us, goes beyond “you always want what you don't have”, more it has to do with the Philippine history and the influence of white domination. For these wonderful women, which all happened to be widows, our appearance means opportunities, wealth, status and a future!

– Philippine colonial history: 1521-1898 Spanish Era / 1898-1946 American Era / 1941-1945 Japanese occupation

[gatyagoes]

After a few months in Asia, exposed to a lot of sun and salt water, my endings really needed a trim! While in Phuket, I signed up for it, although I knew this will highlight my curls even more - I am on struggle street with my hair, due to the humidity over here. So Jana and I went to this tiny, hidden, local hair salon, recommended by her co-worker.

To begin with we showed the lady some pictures and agreed on a price, communicating by using google translate. Once she started trimming she wiggled the scissor as if she had cut my hair many times before - go girl! Happy with the result, my sister and I then encouraged each others to get some colour. While she applied the colour precisely, layer by layer, I realised, I didn't even know what colour she choose! We felt confident and were convinced the lady knew exactly what she's was doing, so I just let her do her magic. When the result started to show, the lady’s reaction was just the cutest ever: she kept on taking pictures and tried all sorts of different, very very Thai looking, styling methods. It turned out she is not only an expert in her filed but an passionate artist. Styled like Thai dolls, super tired and over the moon with our unique hair salon experience, we left the salon after six hours.

[gatyagoes]

When Jana and I went on a day trip to the Phi Phi islands, we decided to crash the photo of a Chinese group! When passing by the scene, we figured it would be just too funny to join the group: I mean, have a look at the guy in the centre, surrounded by four Chinese girls and one guy, posing like a professional! It was a must to walk over and sit down! While the shoot took place, two other companions, visible in the right back, covered themselves by sand and worked on their stunts.

[gatyagoes]

There is some sort of an unwritten rule when it comes to good food. It could be outlined like the following: If you find the particular restaurant, the “#foodporn” kind of place, go back, as often as you can, without thinking of missing out on other restaurants, or feeling bad for returning too many times.

There is this amazing DimSum place where I went for dinner and breakfast, lunch and probably dinner again. You get to choose your DimSums from trollies, pushed by Chinese ladies in yellow and blue t-shirts, with blue aprons and spit protection. They wind the different looking trollies through the spacious restaurant and whenever passing by your table, they ensure you top up with more food.

This one night, I came for a late dinner, when one of the gas bottles, placed directly in front of the ladies, leaked! I just received my first around of DimSum, started juggling the chopsticks and therefore did not even notice the hiss sound in the other corner of the restaurant. The smell of gas spread quickly and made the guests panic: they got up from their chairs, grabbed their kids and ran! Well, when the locals run, you run (!) and so I immediately joined the crowd outside. Everybody hold their breath and watched, still way too close to the scene, definitely not safe when it all blow up. The staff, hysterically yelling through the restaurant, meanwhile tried to close the gas valve. Luckily they managed and soon the fuss was over, everybody went back to their seats to finish dinner. Happy End.

[gatyagoes]

I went for lunch in Penang's little India. There are lots of options, so I choose the restaurant based on how many locals sat there (if there are a lot, I assume it is not only good but also authentic and hygienic). After walking into the open and simple setup restaurant, I waited until one of the many staff guided me through the process of choosing and ordering. Rice with dale, always a good option, I ordered and sat down at one of the centred long tables, surrounded by Indian Malaysians. Immediately, the man diagonal opposite, having lunch with his brother and his 18 years old daughter (which aims to become a lawyer and has her name tattooed on her arm) asked me if I am alone. I get this question quite often and always answer with a smile: yes, just me. Wandering alone, as a white girl, eating at local restaurants, really surprise people and gives them a reason to start a conversation. The next hour I spent answering all sorts of questions about Switzerland, the Swiss system, wages and values. When I was ready to pay and head off, the kind man decided to invite me and payed for my lunch. Thank you Sir.

[gatyagoes]

On the way to Penang Hill two teenage boys approached me at the Penang bus terminal:

Excuse me Miss? We have noticed the past few minutes, that some guys, passing by, have been looking at you strangely, please be careful. ⁃ Oh, okay. Why do you think they looked at me strangely? Since you are a foreigner, Malaysians think you have a lot of money, so they might try to kidnap you or they will try to convince you to go somewhere with them. Please be careful Miss. ⁃ Oh, okay. But will I be safe taking the bus? Yes Miss.

The entire bus ride to Penang Hill my thoughts were spinning about what the two boys just told me. Meanwhile, staring out of the window, I realised the bus took me out of the tourist centre through some poorer areas of Penang. For the first time in a while, I sat with crossed arms and an introvert gestures, thinking: Is my behaviour naive? Am I not aware of what could happen? Do I feel too secure walking around alone, in countries I don't really know? Should I probably stop looking at people? Stop returning a smile and even more important, not interact with strangers when they start talking to me? 

When arriving at the lower station of Penang Hill railway, I was seriously confused about my own thoughts. With a nod, the bus driver ensured I realised we arrived where I requested to go and then sent me off with a little smile.

On the way up, I decided I should not be worried, and little should I change the way I act or wander or hide a smile! And again, while exploring the beautiful Penang Hill, I was approached several times, meaning to met wonderful people, having little conversations and being part of strangers photos.

[gatyagoes]

A bit hidden, just off a main road of Penang's Georgetown, I found a Jewish Cemetery. Walking past the entrence gate, a kind looking older man, sitting in a plastic chair, waved me in. The graveyard appears as a little, calm and beautiful oasis with coconut and banana trees. After strolling around for a bit, the man walked over to show me some of the remarkable graves on the site: The first body was buried in 1835 and the last in 2011, no more to follow, he explained. It turned out that this Hindu man lives on the cemetery ground and is its caretaker in third generation.

The scenery completely took me in the spell. While I was focusing on taking photos, the old man, back in his chair, had to call me over since he was worried I could get hit by falling coconuts.

Sitting in this chair, he looked so peaceful, I thought, but I was to shy to ask for a photograph. However, I couldn't leave without capturing him! On my way out I warned him that I will photograph the entrance gate and that he might be in the picture - a bit worried he would get up and walk out of the scene. The opposite happened: he followed me, closed the gate and stood there while I took on last picture. Thank you Sir.

[gatyagoes]

A waterfront is always a good choice to watch sunsets. The other night I picked the probably ugliest spot on Penang. It smelled like all sorts of things, but dead fish was the most prominent, completed by thousands of little flies and other bugs. Just as I got there a Chinese Malaysian fisherman pulled out the first catch of the day. He waved me over, asking me to take a photo of what he got, only to explain seconds later that what stuck in his net was nothing remarkable.   

[gatyagoes]

Current and ongoing wander around Asia outlined on one map with all destinations in order of travel