Malaysia is an Islamic Republic. The large Muslim contingent was visible everywhere since people's dress reflects the culture. Many women wear head scarves. The picture shows a street market where many go to get fabric.

The current tension in 2003 between many western countries and the Islamic countries of the world made for some interesting encounters. At a restaurant, I recieved glaring stares for 10 minutes straight from one young man. Some of my smiles to passers by were returned with disgusted frowns but these were the exception rather than the rule. Everyone that I got to know well was very nice. Most strangers were very nice or appropriately indifferent to the fact that I look like an American. There were some bad stories about westerners being attacked recently. One has to be cautious in a big city. I think most westerners are safe if they just excercise a little extra caution.

All the people I met ... Let me say it again, absolutely EVERYONE asked me where I was from. It seemed to be the common joke among the people: Ask an American where he is from. He will say he is from Canada but he won't know anything about Canada. (See the quizzes by the taxi drivers on the streets page). Of course, Americans are told to say they are from Canada because no one hates Canadians (right?).

I was passing 2 random strangers on the street. One stopped me and immediately said, "Hi, where are you from?" I responded, "Singapore." She wouldn't accept my answer and said, "No before that." I failed to figure out why everyone wanted to ask where I am from and why no one would accept anything but "America." Even a 12 year old boy who I helped with his bicycle had apparently been taught the game to play with the foreigners. When I responded that I was from Singapore, he said, "Oh yeah? Do you have any Singapore money?" I said, "Don't you believe I'm from Singapore?" He said, "No."

I had many chances to test all kinds of answers to the "where are you from" question. Sometimes I would say, "I'm from America." This was usually followed by stunned silence so I would continue with, "People tell me I should say I am from Canada but, what do you think?" And without fail, everytime I posed this question to anyone the answer was always, "Yes, around here you should probably say you are from Canada."

I decided to go on saying I was from America. The people who questioned me were not threatening me and I saw no reason to insult them by lying. I hope to do my part to desolve tension by having more people meet nice Americans and realize that Americans do not hate them.