Today is the first day back .. and I have to admit, I am so happy to be back in my own home. There is a comfort like no other. I think you guys all know this. Well, perhaps most do. For those who don't - kinda sad I suppose to not feel that total comfortable feeling to be back in your own "environment."
For me - as I write this - I guess that also means I haven't become that elusive wizard either. Cos as Merlin had pointed out to the young (pre-King) Arthur - for the wizard, everywhere is his/her home.
Well, anyway - it was a good journey as mentioned before. A couple of interesting observations to make in regards to landing back in Malaysia.
First, almost immediately after landing (i.e., plane touched down, and we are on the move into the airport) - my acid reflux which hit me about a week plus ago returned. Could feel that familiar burning sensation in the solar plexus region. How odd, I thought. But then - this was almost instantly followed by the "Wow. I am glad this didn't happen during the entire trip over there." I had of course brought along the medication I had received from the doc previously. And had dutifully followed his instructions (something I rarely do - follow doctor's advice) of taking the meds and no chilli or spicy food the entire time. The meds I had finished at the start of the week - so for days, things were ok. UNTIL I got back to KLIA2. Haha. Coincidence or what?
Had a loooooong ride back home from the airport. Met a chatty elderly Malay driver who talked non-stop about his family and his life. How he came to KL in the 70's. What types of jobs he has held. How he used to be "nakal" (naughty) when he was younger and working a civil service job - and had even gone for movies during office hours. Told me about his 7 children and what they are doing now - studying and getting married etc. In the course of the conversation, he also spoke about the changes in the society (our country) and how it was once harmonious but now, as he puts it - due to politics, everything has changed. Race and Religion used by politicians to divide the people. The people were so much more harmonious - not just tolerating differences of the others but also accepting and respecting each other. He talked on about how he would go over to his friends' houses regardless of whether they were Chinese or Indians - especially during festive seasons .. sharing freely and happily. Today, he lamented, even wishing another person of a different race/religion Happy "whatever the occasion" can lead to arguments and condemnation.
Sad but true - as he rattled on, it also reminded me of my growing up days. We had always looked forward to the many festive seasons celebrated by the mutli-racial community. We visited friends of the same and other races/religions - looking forward to the "special food" of their culture. Each had their uniqueness - and we loved them all (well most of the food anyway).
At the end of the looooong journey back to my place - I mean this dude was literally driving abut 40 to 50 km per hour (I estimate) - I reached home, went out to the mamak to get a quick bite - and wondered where have we come over these years? Where will we head from here on out. I read a little about the two by elections over the past week - and the clamouring about this and that by both sides of the political divide. Ahhh - is this why there seems to be so "less peace" upon touching down at the airport? For certainly Cambodia did not appear to be a richer country - and the hustle and bustle I noticed as I drove through their city was like ours here - but I didn't feel the tension. Perhaps, I am sure many would say, cos I don't live there. Perhaps so. I can't figure out everything and do not have the answers to solve the problems of the whole world.
What I do know is that - again - change begins within the self. If I change my thoughts and my perception, I will literally change my world. Peace is to be found within and not without. And so the Journey - moves on.
Thanks - Universe - for the opportunity to have visited Cambodia. Met some nice folks there. Am glad to have had the opportunity, am glad to be home, and am glad that there is still journeys to move on to.Peace Out.
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