Goodbye to Malaysia
by Rachel
for Sunday, July 21st
Today we didn't have to leave until 9:40 a.m. Normally we get up early to avoid the heat of the day and I enjoy this because I like to be busy all the time, however, I was grateful for a day to sleep in.
Our first stop was church where we were warmly welcomed by all the members there who clearly loved having visitors. I always find it interesting to visit English speaking congregations in other countries because it is interesting to hear about people in the congregation. Since they speak English, a lot of them aren't natives and instead are from different countries staying in Malaysia for various reasons. Everyone was really nice.
Next we met up with some of my dad's former students at Merdeka Square. Merdeka Square means Independence Square. It's where Malaysia declared independence in 1957. My dad's students took us out to a traditional Malaysian lunch. I enjoyed the curry with rice. We also got some ice cream. My mom, Sarah Ann and I decided to try durian ice cream. Durian is a fruit that is in season in Malaysia and it is sold everywhere, so we figured we needed to try it at some point. One of our Grab drivers (they use Grab instead of Uber here) told us that no tourists like durian and that it smells really strongly so he doesn't allow it in his car. We each tried a bite of the ice cream and it did taste and smell very strongly. It was interesting to try though!
The tour was fascinating. Our tour guide explained to us that Malaysia is about 60% Muslim, 20% Buddhist, 10% Christian, 7% Hindu and 3% animist. He also explained to us a lot about the practices and beliefs in Islam. There was a chart that showed the prophets of Islam and it was interesting to see how it overlapped a lot with Jewish and Christian beliefs. He explained how Muslims pray shoulder to shoulder during services in the mosque to show that they are all equal before God. There also are no images of God or Allah in their worship place because they believed that God was so powerful he could not be represented with an image. The main difference between Islam and Christianity is that Muslims believe Jesus Christ to be a prophet whereas Christians believe Jesus Christ to be the son of God. I learned a lot from the tour and it was one of my favorite parts of Malaysia.
Next we headed to the airport. Dad and I are on a different flight than the rest of our family so they have to wait in the airport for a long time. Well, we are about to board and head to Singapore!
for Sunday, July 21st
Today we didn't have to leave until 9:40 a.m. Normally we get up early to avoid the heat of the day and I enjoy this because I like to be busy all the time, however, I was grateful for a day to sleep in.
Our first stop was church where we were warmly welcomed by all the members there who clearly loved having visitors. I always find it interesting to visit English speaking congregations in other countries because it is interesting to hear about people in the congregation. Since they speak English, a lot of them aren't natives and instead are from different countries staying in Malaysia for various reasons. Everyone was really nice.
Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur
Here we are with my dad's students
Next we met up with some of my dad's former students at Merdeka Square. Merdeka Square means Independence Square. It's where Malaysia declared independence in 1957. My dad's students took us out to a traditional Malaysian lunch. I enjoyed the curry with rice. We also got some ice cream. My mom, Sarah Ann and I decided to try durian ice cream. Durian is a fruit that is in season in Malaysia and it is sold everywhere, so we figured we needed to try it at some point. One of our Grab drivers (they use Grab instead of Uber here) told us that no tourists like durian and that it smells really strongly so he doesn't allow it in his car. We each tried a bite of the ice cream and it did taste and smell very strongly. It was interesting to try though!
Outside the City Gallery in downtown Kuala Lumpur
We went into the Masjid Jamek Mosque next. It hadn't quite opened for tours yet, but my dad's student had a connection so she got us in before they opened. Sarah Ann and I were asked to put on robes that were floor length and covered our arms and heads because that is respectful attire in a mosque. Taylor had to put on a floor length skirt and my mom put on a head covering.
in our head scarves
the Masjid Jamek Mosque
The tour was fascinating. Our tour guide explained to us that Malaysia is about 60% Muslim, 20% Buddhist, 10% Christian, 7% Hindu and 3% animist. He also explained to us a lot about the practices and beliefs in Islam. There was a chart that showed the prophets of Islam and it was interesting to see how it overlapped a lot with Jewish and Christian beliefs. He explained how Muslims pray shoulder to shoulder during services in the mosque to show that they are all equal before God. There also are no images of God or Allah in their worship place because they believed that God was so powerful he could not be represented with an image. The main difference between Islam and Christianity is that Muslims believe Jesus Christ to be a prophet whereas Christians believe Jesus Christ to be the son of God. I learned a lot from the tour and it was one of my favorite parts of Malaysia.
Next we headed to the airport. Dad and I are on a different flight than the rest of our family so they have to wait in the airport for a long time. Well, we are about to board and head to Singapore!
It's so wonderful to hear about your trip and all that you are learning. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCarol Scheel
I love reading your posts. I learn from them, as well. Please tell me that all of those colored tiled areas are escolators and not steps. If they're steps, Holy Smokes. I'd never be able to do them.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your ventures, kids. You're all so very fortunate experiencing opportunities of a life time.
So glad you got to do all that - go to church, meet your dad's former students, try durian ice cream and have the special tour of the mosque. Thanks for sharing!!! Much love, Grandma Huber
ReplyDeleteThis is so epic. I'm enjoying y'all's blog so much.
ReplyDeleteAnd that mosque is GORGEOUS!! stg my favorite parts of visiting Cairo were the mosques; you can see how all the devout artisitic intention that seems to end up in icons or paintings in Christian religious spaces ends up instead in the architecture, calligraphy, and abstract/geometric design in Islamic spaces. Like, you've been hired as interior decorator for the house of god, better step it up. ;) Can't wait to hear about Singapore when you get there!
So, Taylor wore a floor length skirt??? How did he feel about that? Would love see a picture of Tay in a floor length skirt!!! haha. Was it because he had shorts on?
ReplyDelete