Author at 7th longest river in the world
I have finally agreed to come to city X with my husband on 20th Sept 24, after much indecision and trepidation.
They were alot of news about being whisked away or kidnapped at some point to a remote border with its neighbouring country and coerced to become phone scammers under daily beatings which did hog the news for a period. A few detainees who have escaped recounted the harrowing details.
It was much to the chagrin of my spouse who wanted to come back to city X and see how things have changed over 14 years and I was pushing the idea away. Then, in a moment of madness, I agreed and he immediately booked the tickets!
My fate was sealed. I googled ‘ Is it safe to go to X’ and it turned out to be negative news. Then he googled the same thing and read out all the positive aspects of it (selective reading), dismissing negative points as just normal cautionary advice to tourists. Talking about blind spots! He had skimmed over the words ‘unsafe’ and ‘dangerous’.
When we landed at X International airport, he insisted on getting a Grab taxi though we were accosted with many smiling taxi drivers.
Our driver delivered us safely to Courtyard Marriot hotel for which I insisted he be tipped handsomely. and I was already bugging my spouse to arrange a safe trip back to airport on departure day.
Over the next few days, we walked incognito (not to appear like tourists)on the streets of X, dressed in dull colors following our motto: don’t stand out, don’t become targets, and don’t be blur.
I suggested that we both carry the hotel umbrellas(it’s monsoon season anyway) and that could be doubled up as weapons; to jab the eyes, throat, private parts, I said if attacked and proceeded to demo it. My spouse laughed but we knew in our hearts that I might be right.
Over the next few days, we became watchful instead over the hazardous traffic for at the bends of the road, a motor vehicle would often loomed up and screeched to a halt inches before me. The grounds almost tripped us due to uneven paths and unobstrusive obstacles. There were some side lanes laden with uncollected rubbish which contributed to the stench.
Notwithstanding, we did not come across any unsavory characters. We were alerted by the hotel not to flash our handphones on the road which is the case in many countries these days. And to avoid late nights outings.
City X has morphed into a quaint city, a far cry from those days when it was much underdeveloped. Now skyscrapers appear on the horizon amidst old ramshackle buildings and the city looks set to modernise further.
Nice eateries and cafes dot the streets at intervals which is a pleasant surprise. There was good food to be had. There is even a beautiful multi storey giant mall with many shops showing how widespread global. brands have become.
We found that people in city X friendly, respectful and gentle. Locals. generally went about their daily activities in a quiet manner and no unpleasant events were encountered.
A few people may look menacing but they soon gave way to smiling countenances , approval nods and folded hands. A sign of gratitude and welcome gesture. We did the same. They appeared adorable to me.
I had begun. to feel foolish for my deduction of the place as being unsafe from my presumption, imagination, rumours and news even though there was some truth to the occurrences mentioned. Unfortunate events could happen anywhere.
In any case, one must stay positive, do our research as to how and where to move around safely in any country for that matter and not draw unnecessary attention to ourselves.
Assuming the worst would lead to inaction in stepping out of one’s comfort zone. It also increases fear in exploring another country’s history and beautiful culture that could enrich our knowledge and understanding.
Fear is a huge emotion to overcome. Nothing in life is to be feared. It is to be understood and managed.
