Where are you from?

Where are you from? … is the most common phrase that I need to answer every now and then while I am here in Medan… often the conversation will lead to this:

strangers: where are you from?

me: I am from Thailand.. (often with my Thai smiley face…)

strangers: really? you look Taiwanese.. Japanese to me…

strangers: I love it there… i went there once.. the shopping is so cheap, the food is awesome etc.. and everythings are so cheap… i love it there… blah.. blah..blah..

strangers: I went to MBK, pattaya… etc.. i love the food.. there is so much to eat… all the sweet stuff on the read side… ( still going on about Thai food and the beer)

you see.. for each time such conversation pop up… all I have to do is answer that *I am from Thailand * and the person will just go on and on of how much they enjoyed Thailand and continue saying, while me, all I have to do is simply giving them the Land of Smile face… ahhah

now.. imagine.. being an Indonesian and someone asking you where you are from? this is what I often get when I tell people in other countries that I live Medan, Indonesia.. ( I am not even an Indonesian!)

Me: I live in Medan, Indonesia

strangers: where is Medan?

me: an hour flight from Singapore and the place that is nearest to Aceh where the Tsunami hit in 2004..

strangers: oohhh… i see.. is it dangerous living in Indonesia..? I saw all the killing on the TV and the people looks so scary…

strangers: I have never been to Indonesia and I only know of Bali.. have you been to Bali? is it really that nice as advertise?

me: No.. coz Medan to Bali is 5 hours flight and I rather go to Phuket..

strangers: yah yah .. its true.. ( still going on … asking of how Indonesia looks unsecure)

worst yet, for me to recommend something good of Indonesia, I am often speechless.. whats there to buy, to eat, to play? most things here are all franchise, you can hardly find any good local stuff apart from the famous fashion designer Biyan whom at the price that he is charging, I would rather spend on International brand name…

its just a thought…

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