Yesterday, I was going to get my laundry done and some locals driving by stop and we have this conversation:

"Where you go?"
"I go to get my clothes washed."
"No."
"No?"
"No. Today is no wash, is holiday. You go to see governor"
"The governor??"
"Yes."
..silence..

Eventually I just get crammed into this beat-up old car, I have no idea what's going on but my laundry plan was ruined anyway. We go off to the Borneo convention center where they are celebrating Hari Raya, the end of Ramadan.

I'm feeling very underdressed suddenly because there are lots of funny hats, and colorful, but very formal dress around. I get the only-white-guy-in-the-room-award and shake hands with the prime minister on television, at this point still very confused about what is even going on. I get introduced to his whole family, they insist I sit with them and ask me where I'm from and everything.

Turns out the custom is that, the farther a guest has come, the greater honor he bestows upon the host. Due to various some high-profile embarassments they are lately very serious here about striving for tolerance/diversity, and I think that I was basically a publicity stunt. See also: OneMalaysia

Today is also Malaysian Independence day-- double the party!