Selemat Hari Raya!

So the day started off with a trip to the Doc's to deal with my bloody JUNGLE ULCER on my leg. Urgh. Horrible infected sore that probably started off as a mosquito bite and now resembles a swollen hole oozing pus. I shall spare you the joys of a photograph.

Armed with antibiotics and ointment from the surprisingly fast and efficient staff at the hospital in Kota Kinabatangan (Cost- 50 Ringgit, approx a tenner)  we headed back in Cyril's (our current host dad, pronounced Sye-ril) big house to prepare for Hari Raya.

After a brief and unexpected off-road adventure ("Do not worry! I very experienced driver!") we got back to the house where Mariani, our host mum, was busily preparing delicious treats for the expected guests. We had selected our traditional clothes from the choice available in the wardrobe ( garish and hideous Haha) but as neither Cyril or any of the rest of the family had chosen to wear theirs we decided not to.

One by one family trickled through the open front door, exclaiming "Selemat Hari Raya!" and heading straight to us to shake our hands. More and more family appeared at the door until at least 30 people had arrived in a riot of colour. None of them live in the Bateh Puteh Community and had travelled from KK and Sandakan and they seemed much more modern and cosmopolitan than our sweet villagers.

As soon as they arrived they pulled out their cameras and asked the 4 of us if they could have their picture taken with us. It's considered quite a trophy to have photos of yourself with Westerners so who were we to refuse? We felt like celebrities as each of these lovely people clamoured to get into as many shots as they could and took photo after photo. It was hysterical.

They were disappointed that we hadn't dressed up so off we went to change, dancing out of our room to whoops of delight and lots more flashing cameras. We then danced to Malaysian Hari Raya songs. I can't get over how metal Malay music is, its all dual guitars and crunching riffs but the vocals are the complete opposite, its a hilarious mix. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much dancing, everyone cheering and clapping at the moves being busted to these cheesy Malay tunes!

Oh god the people are so gorgeous here. Just honest and open and friendly. The family didn't stay for long, probably about two hours, as they had other houses to visit, as is the Hari Raya tradition, and they lined up to shake our hands one by one and say goodbye. Malay people have the most charming, sweet handshake. They use their right hand to shake and then touch their heart, I just love it.

What an amazing evening. Beautiful food and company. There are so many aspects to life here that I envy so much. We really lack this sense of community, friendship and trust in England. It's like a different world here. No paranoia, or suspicion. Just trust and acceptance. Yet they consider us trophies and envy our lives! Crazy!

And to top it all off, I met my first Malay Muslim Metal Dude. He's the guy in blue -you can't see but he has long dreadlocks and plays drums in a Death Metal band. Cyril's family rock!!!!