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MALAYSIAN DIPLOMATS: OUR STORIES

and they came with four Mexican Facebook friends whom they met upon
arrival in Mexico. T e Mexicans were so helpful and generous to the bikers.
T ey provided accommodation for them and helped to wash their clothes.
T ey also took the bikers sightseeing and treated them at a famous Mexican
restaurant.

According to the bikers, who had travelled around the world, the South
Americans were the warmest, friendliest, and most generous people they
have met. T ere were instances when the locals of ered to pay for their meal
when the bikers stopped in small towns. T e bikers were amazed by their
hospitality although they had just met.

In Mexico, they use the expression, “Mi casa es tu casa”. Literally, this
translates to “my home is your home”. T is conveys the message that anyone
who wants to visit them will be welcomed with open arms, and the guests
can feel so comfortable as if it was their own home. T e bikers def nitely
experienced the true meaning of this expression.

Conclusion
Time f ies. It was already 2015 and it was time for me to leave. My work
at the Embassy, the of cial and personal trips I took, and the never-ending
diplomatic events as well as the activities with the locals really made the four
years feel very short. I did not even have time to think about the high crime
rate and the drug cartel, which was my main concern before I arrived in
Mexico. As advised by my Mexican friends, if you do not want to be a target,
do not wear f ashy expensive watches and jewellery, stay in crowded areas,
and avoid dark and lonely streets. One Head of Mission was kidnapped
with a few others while jogging in a secluded park. Fortunately for him, he
managed to escape. T e next day, he issued a T ird Person Note, sent to all
embassies to share his traumatic experience and to remind other diplomats
to be careful.

Crimes aside, Mexico has many things to of er. It is a beautiful country,
rich in culture and tradition, and is well known for its delicious food. Most
importantly, the Mexicans are friendly and hospitable people as the famous
Mexican saying goes ‘Mi casa es tu casa’.

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