I visited Southern Thai last week. It was definitely an eye-opening experience. I'm still excited about the ziarah, I'm simply trembling while typing this post. Priceless experiences I had. Thankful to Allah for that 3 days. I was never hesitate to join the ziarah but was nervous before and during the trip! Again, alhamdulillah everything went well. I am still in one piece.
;)
At least.
First thing first, the language - they don't speak Thai there as majority of the locals declare themselves : Malay.
They speak - bahasa Melayu ; in Kelantanese dialect. So the language wasn't a barrier for us to understand each other, though I had to listen very hard in order to comprehend every little words.
:)
I visited Songkhla and Yala. Districts 'belong' to Muslims. I went there to ziarah the rural people who experiences trauma after lots of incident occurred to them. The truth is, I was nervous all the way during the journey. I was covered with endless fears. I was so scared, I could die. Naturally die. No one has to shoot me. I'd simply die out of scared.
Call me paranoid, but there wasn't a moment I wasn't anticipating any bomb dropped on my head or at least the sound of guns shooting. Miracle happened, there wasn't! Every second I had there was a preparation for me to face death.
Visit the rural, was truly a touching moment. Laughter and tears. Pleasure and pain. The range of emotions trough out the changing of experiences was so great that at times I thought I just couldn't stand it. I took deep breath to regain my composure, thinking shouldn't I be the strong one? For the innocent people to 'throw up' their emotions at? Lucky I didn't have to force myself a smile. All thanks to my niqab.
There were moments, when we just sat and silents cries took over. I don't know about the others but it was definitely a heartbreaking moment for me. The pain they had in them are so powerful, we all fell into tears.
The locals there, masyaAllah - they were so warm and friendly. I felt as if I was one of them. I wasn't a stranger to them. I felt so attached that I hardly wanted to let them go. These living characters are simply just inspiring, putting me into shame of being ungrateful to tonnes of ni'mah Allah has given me.
And the food? MasyaAllah - it was heaven! The cuisines are the best in the world! I always have the intention to bungkus some to bring back home. Ngeeee... They are all delicious, I could marry them!! Serious. The food put my mind that I was in a safe and secure country while I'm actually not. See? They make you high and addicted. I'm going to ask My Imam to take me to a Thai Restaurant on our next date. Ngeee...
Will I be visiting them again?
Oh, can't wait.
(*.*')
