Coffee Breaks: Goodbye Folks

To Berlin

As all good things must come to an end; we had to bid our dreaded goodbyes to the music school and the host families.

The journey to Berlin was not a short one; 8 hours on the coach for a distance of 629km. The very thought of the ride was tiring but we were pleasantly surprised that it was not so bad after all. So very early in the morning host parents brought the children to the school for the final departure.

Once again I would like to say that the Heidelberg youths are an exemplary lot; they were really well behaved, warm and hospitable. They come from humble and kind homes with parents who have taught them well.

The older folks; the parents are just as friendly and helpful. I was told that they saw to all their needs meticulously and some even packed meals for the students; they seem to return all possible gestures of appreciation to us when we hosted their youths during their visit to us last June. Love really makes the world go round.

The journey was made extremely easy and comfortable because we were traveling in a first class coach; big, safe and smooth. In all social engagements and meetings, you learn about people's ways, values and practices. So we had to learn to abide by local traveling practices too; like not stepping over the driver's working hours and not demanding things be done our way. This driver comes from Nuremberg; a town where my younger sister lived some years ago. He had to drive about 3 hours to Heidelberg to pick us before leaving for Berlin. Perhaps he had slept at Heidelberg the night before as the journey to Berlin was a good 8 hours away and coach drivers are not permitted to take any journey longer than that. We were warned by the tour guide not to agitate him but to be polite towards him. Most of all we were told not to take him for granted for he would serve us no more after an 8 hour work each day.
Of course we were presumptuous and many a time were ill-disciplined and at certain times he threatened to leave us in the lurch. We must have caused him much anger; what with the boisterous kids and the numerous drop off points !

The coach had a small toilet like the one you use in planes; but it can only be used for emergency times and only for small businesses. For relieving purposes he would normally stop at food outlets along the autobahns and it is indeed difficult to adjust to local practices; you pay as you use the public toilets.

This big and friendly bear is a look out point; notice the Malaysian flag.

Yes, it was clearly dark when we finally reached our destination and were greeted by a Malaysian diplomat; Encik Razif.

After a week away from home, it was good to see familiar things again. The Malaysian Flag; it was like home. Yes, we have arrived at the Malaysian Embassy in Berlin !

The familiar name etched ... Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

The ambassador of Malaysia to Berlin; Dato Ibrahim Bin Abdullah was there to receive us and eager to show us off to a local counter part in Berlin. He had graciously allowed the students to stay in the embassy for their stay here; that meant saving some costs. The school is grateful to him.

On arrival, though tired; the choir quickly gathered into their positions and "sang for their supper"... they had to let the host hear their songs; that they indeed were up to the mark.

Mutton Kurma; ayam goreng kunyit, telur masak merah...whooo all Malaysian cuisines that we have been missing. It was a most welcoming sight. Delicious too.