Name: Jędrzej
Occupation: Officer in a honorary consulate of the Republic of Poland (archaeologist by education), at present back at university (Ph.D. in Geology)
Why are you abroad? First, I came to take part in archaeological excavations, work in a museum, train kung fu, and then I started working in the honorary consulate.
What has surprised you most during your stay in Malaysia?
I have spent 6 years in Malaysia, so I do not even know what to start with. At first, it was probably the fact that we really often found our photos in newspapers. During the first six months, it was once a month or so – it was usually related to our work in the Museum or kung fu training. We must have been a real curiosity, something unusual in the local community, not like tourists who just come and go. I was also surprised by the kindness of the local people in practically every situation, total lack of aggression. In six years, I have been verbally abused only once, and it was in fact my fault, as I blocked the way.
How is Malaysia different from Poland?
It is totally different and it is not different at all;) You could actually write a book about it, but if I am to talk about something specific, concrete, I would say it is the style and pace of life. Unlike in Poland, nobody is in a hurry here. People have time to eat, talk with their families, go out for a beer or have a dinner in a restaurant. There is a downside to it, too, of course, as even if you need to have something done immediately, it might take long weeks before it is ready. What Poland and Malaysia have in common is our family bonds. In both countries, family is a very important part of life, which is much more visible than in Western Europe or the USA, for instance.
How are Poles perceived by the local community?
To be honest, we are not perceived at all. Malaysians are not really aware that Poland exists, some of them do not even know this word, and for others Poland is a remote land somewhere in Europe, but they do not know where exactly. Interestingly enough, every Malaysian knows who “John Paul II” or “Waleza” [Lech Wałęsa] is. For those who know a bit more, we are a post communist (or still communist) country. Most of the Malaysians perceive us simply as some Europeans, not different from tourists from Germany, England or Holland (and we are often mistaken for the latter ones due to the similar names of our countries). Europeans, in turn, are considered to be big, loud and weird, but also intelligent and not afraid to try new things. Unfortunately, some local people think we are rich, which means we should be careful in all kinds of travel agencies, taxis and other places where tourists are the source of income.
Do you like local food? What are your favorite dishes?
Generally, yes, I do. Malaysian food is really varied, especially in the eastern part of the country. It is rooted in Malayan, Chinese, Hindu and British cuisine, and also includes various dishes of local tribes which base on fresh ingredients from the jungle. This mix resulted in many dishes which are known only here, maybe also in Singapore. My favourite dish is definitely laksa sarawak (spicy prawn and chicken soup with a lot of coconut milk), but I like other meals, too, like umai (shark meat salad with chilli, onions and lime), pansoh (chicken, pork or fish cooked in a bamboo stalk) and finally rendang (beef stewed in coconut milk).
What are the three places in Malaysia that are worth visiting, in your opinion?
I have spent most of my stay in Malaysia in the eastern part of the country, so my answers will be rather predictable: Bengoh Valley near Kuching, Niah caves near Miri in Sarawak, and Mount Kinabalu near Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.
Why did you come to this country?
At first, I simply wanted to see something new and take part in interesting archaeological excavations. My second visit was about learning martial arts and spending time in a new place. When I came to Malaysia for the third time, it was to find a job here, because of my Malaysian wife that I met during my previous stay in Kuching.