Advertisement
Published: October 17th 2009
Edit Blog Post
Touch down. Language that I can not understand. Even English is not English. It is Indian-Malaya-Chinese-Hot Lunch time penne with cheese hybrid. From the plane to the airport terminal exit. Shall I take a cab? Shall take a walk? These and other strange questions I have been asking myself before I have decided to discuss a proper fare for a cab to get my lazy ass to downtown. Discussion was very educational for me. Quick dialog with the taxi driver: -Hi! Nice day huh? So how much to the city downtown? -25$; he replied. -25$ ? Lets make 19, the lady in the reception at the passport checkpoint told me that you guys taxi drivers are charging 19 dollars. (I have prepared myself earlier for this discussion) - 25$ sir. It is fixed rate. - Fixed? What you mean fixed? - Yes, we are charging the same rate as per governments transport regulation. -What are you talking about? I have been here many times (lie for purpose) and I have paid always 19$. -No sir, it is 25. - Ok. You won. Lets go. It is always good to try. Please do not blame me if you think that I have
been trying to cheat. It was worth it especially when on our way to the town he told me his all family and life story with all details along with the Brunei economy history. So in the future, if I want to work in Brunei - all I need to do is to call that guy and he will help me like that. Well, it would be strange. But he told me that they (citizens) are doing pretty good and Mr. King is so fantastic and he is taking care of all his people so no one is moaning about anything and there is no poverty in Brunei. Fuel is cheep… but I do not want to tell you what I had heard. So I got to the downtown than I had a lunch. Chicken baked on honey with the rice and chicken soup and Pepsi. Whole meal - 4 Brunei Dollars. Which is something like 2 British Pounds. I wonder why Pepsi and not Coke? After this very good meal, I have to admit - it was very good, I took a walk around the building (site survey). Same one where I had the chicken meal. So after one
Brunei Water Village
Little bit dark, but yeah... it's me. round I found the river! And one motorboat skipper called me to jump in for 20 dollars so hell take me around the water city. My God! People… it was very good choice. On the beginning I was like - dang, some strange guy is offering me ride in his (maybe his) motorboat "destination unknown"… I do not know. My answer was - "No man!" Thank you, but no thank you. I am just a simple man, doing no harm, paying taxes and I just eat so I am still digesting! But after a minutes he convinced me to jump in. I have done a couple of push-ups before I placed my ass in that boat (just in case of immediate or incredible unsuspected action I have made by biceps a bit bigger). Always be prepared - I have heard once. So it was raining. I could not see much as our motorboat was too fast and the rain was too wet. After a while skipper offered me to show me his house and his family. That was too much and I thought... shit no again. But I said to myself - hey Mr. aj this guy is more cool
than you thought. So I took that risk for real and I have to say people, that house he showed me was incredible! I never saw something like this. The environment hes living in with his family, the whole water city and its infrastructure, history and the reality made me so open for these people. We had a small lunch, coffee (better that in Europe) this air, their smiles. What could be better in the world?
Than this child came into the room. She hardly reached the door handle to open the door. The 4 years old girl with that look. This guy daughter. Speaking something in Malayan to her mom. I could.t stop looking at her. So incredible child with fantastic eyes. That look says everything. Like, everything else in this dining room became a fog and the other people voices sounded like a def noise in the background of this little girls happiness. What I am writing now might look, sound strange or silly to you but it was real.
100% pure expression of being in good company. And all of the sudden I have realized how far I am in my life behind what I am looking
at now.
He took me back to the place where I was trying to get some where. Ive paid 20$ for his time. But have not paid for all the things which opened my eyes wider.
When I was continuing my journey in Bandar I have decided to walk along the street until the sidewalks end. When I reached the end I took the load off my legas on the balustrade next to the street. Some guy just stopped his car and gave me a lift where I am now. Just like that.
I am sitting in the internet café and I am thinking about this place and people.
There is nothing in the world that money can buy. Nothing. We are free. Ill remember these people and this place. For me all the people Ive met here are immortal.
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. 17.Oct.2009
Advertisement
Tot: 0.081s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 14; qc: 62; dbt: 0.0467s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Malte
non-member comment
Wooww
Sounds like a great start. I am curious what will be the next destination. Such a journey will raise your awareness of perception. Cool. I need to do it as well otherwise you going to loose your control over your fortune. Enjoy and keep a good man. Malte