Eeeeekkkkk, A Dog!!!

The Apa Kaba Homestay had been recommended by Hannah & Mike (the New Yorkers we had met in Bali). We had booked an air con, double with a shared bathroom. It was quite an interesting set up; 2 single beds shoved together with a large, shiny disco looking towel as a top sheet/blanket. The home stay was in a traditional Malaysian house, raised off the ground due to flooding issues, with an open entrance room and bedroom surrounding the main area. We were quite pleased for about $18.00/night for the 2 of us. The home stay is run by a family (we're still confused as to whether the parents own it and the son & his wife run it, or if the son & his wife own it and the mom & dad were helping out while we were there). Samuel, a retired university professor and his wife Corinne were there, along with their son, Kenny, and his wife, Linda, and their 2 kids. Linda and the kids were in Kuala Lumpur until the last day we were there, and Kenny went to pick them up the prior day.


At 6:00 pm we went off with Zareel for dinner. Samuel met us at the door and showed us, and Zareel, a short cut through a neighborhood.

Samuel – This area is mostly Chinese, so you will see dogs. Over there it is mostly Muslim and you will not see dogs because it is forbidden for Muslims to touch a dog.

G- Really? I did not know that.   (no sooner had Samuel told us this, but a dog ran up to us)

P- (seeing Zareel freak out and move away from the dog) Zareel, I won't let him get you.

Zareel – I have never in my life touched a dog. Muslims are not allowed to touch dogs.

G- Wow!  Our dog slept with us every night.  What else can't you touch?

Zareel – Dog, duck & pig.

G- Really? Duck too?

P- Well stand behind me Zareel and I'll be sure the dog doesn't touch you.

Samuel – You will also not see dogs in China or Vietnam, but it is because they eat them.

G- Then we'll be very careful not to eat any meats in Vietnam or China that could possibly be dog.

Samuel – Cats too. They eat the cats.

P- Good to know! I think I'll be a vegetarian in Vietnam and China.

We split from Samuel and walked along with Zareel, through the red buildings and along the river. We past Christ Church dating back to the time the Portugese ruled Melaka and finally arrived at his favorite Malaysian restaurant, Quayside. I ordered salty fish rice and Phyl ordered rice with chicken & veggies. She had tried to order 2 other dishes, but each time they had run out. Zareel was meeting his girlfriend later for dinner and ordered an iced coffee.

P- Where are you from, Zareel?

Zareel – My family lives in the northeast, about an 8 hour moped ride from here.

G- Do you go home often?

Zareel – No. It is far to go and I must go to school and work.

P- How long have you lived in Melaka?

Zareel – For 3 years while I am at college.

G- Do your parents like your girlfriend?

Zareel – They have not met her, but they are ok about her. Her parents are not happy about me.

P- Why?

Zareel - Because I am Muslim and she is Chinese and Buddhist.

G- I have read that the eastern side of Malaysia is mostly Muslim and more conservative. Is that true?

Zareel – Yes.

P- What will you do when you finish school?

Zareel – I have finished my studies. When I finish working (his internship) I will get my certificate. I want to have a farm with cows, but my father says that is not good and wants me work with him for his building business.

G- Construction?

Zareel – Ah, yes. Construction for people's houses. He say growing cows is too hard and not smart for making money.

G- Sounds like the typical age old fight that fathers and sons have all over the world. So what will you do? Will you be a rancher or in construction?

Zareel – I don't know.

Over dinner Zareel talked to us about being Muslim and answered our many questions. We also discussed the relations between the Malays (Muslims, about 65% of the population), the Chinese (Buddhists & Christians, about 10% of the population), the Indians (Hindu, about 7% of the population) and the remainder of the people. Zareel was proud of the fact that there was little trouble between the different religions and told us about the Prime Minister's initiative called 1Malaysia which encourages Malaysian unity, acceptance, and mutual respect. We also discussed Israel, the Middle East, and Jews.

Zareel – I have heard that Jews think their religion is the most important.

P- Have you ever met a Jewish person?

Zareel – No.

G- Every religious group thinks their religion is the one true religion and the best. People like to feel part of a group and superior to others. That's what is wrong with all organized religions. But at their cores, people are all the same. Don't believe everything you're told, Zareel.  Read many things and decide for yourself.

Zareel walked us back to the homestay and we said good night. He was off to meet his Chinese girlfriend. The one whose hand he supposedly cannot hold because he's forbidden to hold a woman's hand. He has no idea what will happen when his 6 month internship is over. I guess they're just enjoying the remainder of their “college” time together, before the ugly realities begin to take control.

Before we went to our room, we sat in the entrance way and talked with the other guests...........Nancie from Nova Scotia who has been living in South Korea for the past 10 years and teaching at a university, and Liz & Esmond, (Irish) but retired engineers from South Africa where they have lived for 27 years. It may be that the thing we are enjoying most is meeting and talking to people from all over the world.