In year 2006, I was transferred by my former manufacturing company to be base in Molong to handle a full of set accounts of their branch. Hence it was first time that I got to work overseas, considering I have never been to New South Wales before except Melbourne, but challenged myself for a better change and exploration.
Many of you may not know where the hell is Molong. Well, in fact, Molong is just a small town in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the Mitchell Highway about 300 km west of Sydney (about 4 hours drive away by car!!) and about 30 km from the city of Orange.
Behold. For your imagination, this is how a small of Molong town look like (the images of Molong I extracted from the net).
Stop crapping about this small town. Speaking of easy-approachable and friendly western, let me recall my memory to share my experience with you all. Generally, my impression of Molong is a dull place along with the local as it is too smaller than Kuching. I couldn’t decided to wander around the area by myself during freetime, seeing that some Chinese Malaysian director still staying around for a particular period, be it 3 months trip. Mind you, I had been staying with the Management directors under the same roof during their stay! Nuff said.
When the Chinese directors were away for Malaysia or hometown in New Zealand for a short while before they come back, here went me being carefree wandering around the area by walking alone at evening time to take unwind. Anyway, one day, after having had a meal, I then wandered around and stepped in a pub that is 20 mins walk away from my place I stayed, I grabbed the vacant seat next to the notice board at the back, of course to stay away myself from meeting a group of bad chaps for my safety purpose, who knows. There were quite some local people inside. I ordered Old Toohey beer at the counter. It was going at about AUD$3 per regular glass considered standard price from my definition. grabbed local newspaper available to read to kill time.
When time passed later, I noticed there seems getting crowd. Out of curiosity, I couldn’t help myself feeling wondering what is up. Then, I noticed a group of local girls appeared and sat down next to my seat at the back and they ordered meal for dinner. Of course, the pub serves for not only beverages but foods too. I tried to mind my own business to behave myself pondering around my mind while ignoring the crowd people having a good talk and laugh.
About half an hour later, one girl of the same group that I mentioned just now, started talking to me. I shocked, shrugged and awkward. I wrote a small paper went like “Sorry, I am hearing impaired” and showed her the paper. To my shock, she informed her group about my existence and she didn’t mind and had a small talk to me that went like, to my best of memory, “Are you alone? Where you come from? blah blah blah blah……After the small talk, she was back to her group to continue the talk whereas I mind my own business back, seeing that I haven’t finished the Old Toohey beer yet. I was just wanted to stay back for a tad more, seeing that the night still young.
About many minutes later, she again went back to me and wrote something that went like “Would you like to join us to the pub nearby for a second round?” At first, I blurred and shocked the culture. To my knowledge, I didn’t even know there is existence of another pub in the small town. But not to let her down without choice, I nodded out of her courtesy, considering that night was young. She introduced me the group of girls. To my shock, according to her, some of girls married with kids already. I had a wrong impression that I thought they are 20an huh??? Anyway, I learned out their husbands went away for traveling, so they went clubbing once in a blue moon. So that figures!
After the group finished their drink later, then I knocked off and followed the group proceeded to walk until cross by the train railway road. After about 15 mins later, here went we reached the pub. It looks like a ball field kind of sport next to the pub. When stepped in the pub, I noticed there seems it was too full with the crowd consist of many of them wearing uniform coat which look like Rugby team. The noise music also played around the sky from the music kiosks machine. After dragged out the info from the group, I learned out the Rugby team were celebrating victory over the tournament. No wonder the group of girls joined them for sharing the celebration and fun time.
I sat the same table with the group and I had to order Old Toohey beer again for myself (my pocket money got a hole sooner good grief!)…Somehow, when proceeding to the payment counter for ordering the beer, I dragged out some AUD$2 coins from my pocket pant, I noticed one guy of Rugby player standing on the counter next to me, saw me as if I am a poor chap huh??? He spoke something that I couldn’t understand but the way he mime is he offered to foot the bill for a beer I ordered. I shocked and speechless yet awkward. How many total stranger would treat you for a beer at first sight???? Before I got to reject his offer gently by shaking head, he quickly passed the AUD$10 money (to serve my correct memory) to boss on the counter and spoke to the boss he was pointing at me when the boss served him the beer he ordered. Without choice and didn't know what to do, I just shrugged and thanked him. He smiled at me while thumbed up a good sign. That was nice of the chap. As I am not good at conversation, I went back to the table to sit with the group and just sitting there like a dummy. The group even offered to share snacks with me for a bite. I comfortably just silent and wandering around the environment and the locals while listening to the music played around the sky albeit the music was kind of country songs.
Later, one lady appeared from the crowd and started talking to me. I learned out she is wife of the president of the team’s rugby club. She was friendly and didn’t mind writing paper to communicate me. She even mentioned about her family that her daughter has been to Malaysia before. Before she ended the nice talk, she even presented me an uniform tie and a small pin of the rugby club for souvenir. That was sweet of this lady.
When it was getting quite late, I had to excuse myself and bid goodbye to the group and thanked them for the invitation. It was indeed a unique culture experience that I have ever had albeit I am basically anti-social and homely type person. Albeit some particular town are a dull place be it is small and isolated area, the unique culture lies in people. That’s how I have found the particular people have a great personality, friendly and easy-going especially Beth who even comes from a small village, my current colleague from UK.
