It is three weeks into my travel journey. I am so grateful for this experience. Traveling through Peninsular Malaysia, we have been on beach Islands, a mega international city (Kuala Lumpur), and now have traveled through the rainforests of Borneo to arrive at the eastern coast of the island.
I have often commented that world travel is not a vacation. There is effort and discomfort required of us to be in a completely different culture. It gives me renewed perspective and compassion for those who are seeking refuge in our country and other countries of privilege.
Here in the town of Semporna, the beach paradise pictures on the Internet do not tell the full story. Arriving here by bus, we saw very young children begging on the streets. We bought food for some, but it is a drop in the bucket. it is clear there is tremendous poverty here.
talking with locals, we learned that there is no infrastructure for waste removal outside of city centers. So those who cannot afford private waste removal are accustomed to putting it in the ocean. When we arrived at a dive resort just outside of the town, the beach here is full of plastic trash, and there are local children playing with the trash on the shore.
It is deeply sobering how the world is consuming these beautiful places and destroying them. We took an island hopping boat yesterday for snorkeling and diving. At a lunch stop on an island, we watched a group of Chinese tourists depart leaving dozens of plastic bottles and food wrappers behind. Their tour company made no effort to collect the waste or instruct them to do so. I spent some time at the island collecting trash.
I feel conflicted to participate in tourist activities here. I’ll try scuba diving, somewhat reluctantly, for the first time tomorrow. When in Rome…
Outside of the resort (which is quite humble), we enjoy being in the local Muslim culture and supporting small businesses. Prayers broadcast on loud speakers from the local Mosques five times per day and the sense of spirituality is deeply palpable. I appreciate how alcohol is absent from their culture and a religious, family-centered lifestyle is primary. The energy is dramatically different than the tourist areas. The locals greet us warmly here and young people are eager to practice their English and socialize.
We have connected with many local young adults on this trip and see opportunities where we can support their education. I will be in touch with opportunities if you would like to join me in supporting these radiant individuals directly. For example, we met university students from Myanmar (currently in civil war) studying in Thailand. Their families struggle to pay the equivalent of $350 for one semester tuition, room and board. We would like to sponsor some of these amazing young people.
I come back again and again to the reflection by Clarissa Pinkola Estes: “Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.”
With the privilege of stretching out to travel the world, this is now within my reach.
I return to home Colorado 2/19 and look forward to connecting with you for yoga, bodywork, and meaningful community connection 🖤
