Selamat Hari Jumaat. After a week in London and thereabouts, I took the train to Cambridge University for the main pur…

Selamat Hari Jumaat.

After a week in London and thereabouts, I took the train to Cambridge University for the main purpose of the trip which is to attend the Summer School for Interfaith Between Abrahamic Religions. It takes place for 16 days and students, activists and other youths from all over the world attend.

Impromptu group purchase.

I used to travel cheap, especially when I was a student in university. So this here is one tip I thought of too late for myself but may be useful for you. As many other students were coming to Cambridge for the same course, had I stood at the station earlier with the signage, I would have gathered more people to share a taxi with me to the location of the course.

When I was in Cuzco (Peru), I stayed with three other Englishmen in a room for five for four nights. When dormitory beddings aren’t available, it is wasteful for a solo traveller to pay for two beds per night. At the same time, it is also easier to make friends when you’re travelling alone, as did I most of the time.

Buy local, by local.

I am born and raised in Malaysia, and am of Hadhrami Arab descent. What I am wearing, has a general Hadhrami feel to it, worn by those in Hadhramout (Yemen), and also worn by those in Southeast Asia whatever their descent may be. The sarong I am wearing though, is Malay in design. And to some extent, I wore what I wore, for the sake of those in Malaysia.

It is unfortunate that many Malaysians don’t wear their ethnic clothing, or don’t do so as often as they could. And in today’s situation, as often as they should. We wear the tie so often, that weekly Batik day is needed – and Baju Melayu potentially seen only on Fridays. Howsoever it may be manifested, I’m uncertain why many avoid their heritage.

Mountain top.

Dressing is one aspect. The manifestation is seen outward and also ‘seen’ inward. It is something I’ve learned significantly the past year, which is to begin and focus in the inward dimension, which is often difficult. But if this is sorted, and clear then the outward will be strong and continuous.

Often when helping someone get to a point, we must remember that it’s not only about powerful words – neither persuasive nor harsh. A lady recently told me something profound, ‘you can’t make everyone reach the top of the mountain without letting them go through their own journey.’

Now let’s go to page 293.

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