When I was assigned to Beijing, China, I had some worries regarding food (I love to eat out) and culture. I was also worried how they would react to my headscarf. I've been there a few years ago, but in the past I have yet to wear a headscarf.
My worries are baseless.
There are Xinjiang Muslim restaurants across Beijing. And if I am to lazy to walk to the restaurant, Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food restaurant chain would do as they only serve chicken. MacDonald, in the other hand, serve pork.
The funny thing was although they claimed to be Xinjiang Muslim food restaurant, I could see bottles of Chinese liquor.
The headscarf problem? Well, Beijingers stared curiously as I walked by. But as I smiled and said,"Ni hao (Chinese expression for Hello)", they would smile back or just nod. Perhaps there have been many tourists from Islamic countries because they seem to accept me.
They were also excited if I asked permission to photo them or to be taken photo with them. When my friends and I visited Great Wall, a man approached me and asked permission to be photographed with me. I was too stunned I didn't pull my camera, so I don't have the photo. I have been wondering why that man wanted to be photographed with me.
One of the most memorable moments was when my friend Bajo and I took pictures with a tire repair guy on a sidewalk. After taking photos for Bajo (a guy), I asked permission to take a photo with him with gestures and voila, he produced a camera out of his pocket (And you know what? His camera looks more expensive than mine). Bajo was a bit amused.
"Why would he take your picture anyway?" he said.
"Well, I'm a girl. Why would he keep a photo of himself and a guy?" I said.
Another funny moment was when Wallacea Foundation's director Grace and I took turns in photographing Hotel Kapok's plaque. (In Bahasa, 'kapok' means you've had enough of something) We asked permission to the bell boy and he misunderstood us wanting to take picture with him. He stood straight when Grace took position beside him. But when it was my turn, the boy made a V-sign. Grace was annoyed.
"Why does he become suddenly cheerful? He was so serious a minute ago," she wondered.
"Perhaps, because I have a friendly face," I said. Hohoho...
The headscarf also helped me in finding Muslim sisters. When I was standing on Tiananmen square, trying to find a way to cross the street, a woman wearing headscarf approached me with the universal greeting,"Assalamualaikum". I replied,"Waalaikumsalam." She said,"Photo me?" I nodded and held out my hand to receive her camera, because I thought she needed my help to photo her and her friends. But she quickly grabbed my arm and her friends took our pictures. I quickly pulled out my camera. And here's our photo.
"You're so beautiful," she said.
What? She is the one who is beautiful. Zhu Men Sha (I don't know how to write her name, but the way she pronounces her name sounded like that) has almond-shaped eyes and freckles on her nose. At first glance, I could have mistaken her as a Russian Muslim because of her fair complexion, but her eyes tells her Chinese identity.
We had a small conversation. She spoke in broken English. I could only catch that she studied in Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunication (BUPT) and that she came from Xinjiang Uighur. I really regretted that I didn't ask for her email. I want to know how are she and her family because I heard about riots in Xinjiang after I reached Jakarta. I hope she and all Uighur sisters and brothers can have peaceful lives in China.
I can't wait for another abroad assignment.
From : http://theindonesiantifa.blogspot.com/2010/05/wearing-hijab-in-china-can-result-in.html
0 comments:
Post a Comment