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| The KL Petronas Tower! |
Our overnight bus from Besut to Kuala Lumpur arrived in the
city quite early. After waiting in the bus station awhile, our trusty driver
Zaam came to fetch us. He took us to the famous KL Petronas Tower, where we
were able to explore modern architecture of Kuala Lumpur and even enjoyed
beverages at Starbucks. After some time in the city, we went to the Hindu Batu
Caves where my family and I climbed 272 steps and explored an old Hindu shrine
in the caves. Instead of being bombarded by people with cameras wanting to take
pictures with us, we were bombarded by monkeys. More monkeys.
Our last day together in Kuala Lumpur was a fun, yet
extremely bittersweet day. I knew my family was looking forward to air
conditioning, pork products, a familiar bed and the comforts of life at home.
Honestly, I struggled to accept the idea that so much excitement and happiness
had been around me everyday for the seventeen days they were with me. It really
added a special kind of jump to my step. Now, I was trying to figure out how to
readjust back to life without my family again.
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| The Batu Caves! |
My family’s trip to Malaysia was an adventure for each of
them. They got passports, as well as vaccinations when preparing for their
first trip abroad. They also jumped out of their comfort zone and took a 15-hour
flight through Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur to visit me. Similarly, it was an
adventure for me as well! I was given the challenging opportunity to
connect my family to my host community and culture while sharing my life
changing experience with each of them. Words cannot express to me how humbled I
am by the mere fact that my family trusted me enough to guide them on a
Southeast Asian adventure filled with unfamiliar food, language, clothes,
people and experiences.
It was a very teary farewell as I watched my family head
through the departure gate at Kuala Lumpur International Airport without me.
However, I knew in my heart that the memories of our time together as a family
in Malaysia would carry me through the six months ahead, until I would
be reunited with them at the arrivals gate of O’Hare International Airport.
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| My family leaving through the departure gate of Kuala Lumpur International Airport. |
Where will the Chesley’s go next…?
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