Sometimes, people surprise you with their brilliance. Other times… well, they surprise you in different ways.
Living in Malaysia, I’ve learned that for some people, Africa is not a continent but a single mysterious country. For them, “Nigeria” and “Somalia” are interchangeable, and the rest is just jungle. One person once asked me how people in Africa come to Malaysia. I was speechless — my brain scrambled like bad Wi-Fi. I babbled something and walked away, still wondering if they actually believed that or were just trying to be funny.
But the funniest story came from a friend of mine. His Malaysian colleague was preparing to travel to an African country (I’ve forgotten which one). She came to him worried about the trip and her misconceptions about Africa, so, he decided to confirm all her fears, with a straight face he warned her about what she should expect.
“There is no airport there,” he said. “When the plane arrives, it just flies close to the shore. Then you throw your luggage into the sea… and you jump!” She was horrified and scared to death but could not cancel the trip since it was business related. Fast forward when she came back, she punched him hard in the stomach.
I cannot stop laughing every time I picture it. A plane hovering over turquoise waters, people launching their suitcases like Olympic athletes, and then splashing in after them like it’s summer camp. 🤣 In my mind, here what I see and, you know by now that I have a wild imagination.
The plane dips low, engines humming over the turquoise sea. Passengers clutch their bags nervously. The flight attendant grabs the microphone, her voice cheerful but commanding:
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Africa. As there is no airport, we will now begin our shore landing procedure. Please fasten your life jackets, hold your luggage tightly, and when I count to three… THROW it into the ocean.”
Everyone gasps.
“One… two… three!”
Suitcases go flying out of the plane doors like confetti at a wedding. One man miscalculates and tosses his backpack too late — it smacks the tail of the plane and splashes into the waves.
“Don’t worry, sir,” the attendant says calmly, “Our dolphins will retrieve it for you shortly.” 🐬
Meanwhile, the co-pilot opens the intercom:
“Please note, duty-free purchases are waiting for you on the shore. Be sure to collect your whiskey and Toblerone before the tide comes in.”
The passengers line up, shuffling nervously. The flight attendant claps her hands like a PE teacher: “Okay, people, jump with confidence! Tuck your knees, don’t belly flop. Next! Next! Don’t block the exit, we’re on a tight schedule!”
One woman screams mid-air: “I should have just Googled it!!!” 🌊✈️🧳
The truth is that stereotypes are powerful. They shrink an entire continent of 54 diverse countries into one bizarre caricature. But laughter, at least for me, is a way of reclaiming power. Instead of carrying the weight of those misconceptions, I carry the image of a traveler mid-air, suitcase in hand, diving dramatically into the ocean while the flight attendant claps and shouts, “Next!”
✨ Closing note: If you ever catch yourself holding a cartoonish image of a place or people you’ve never experienced — pause and ask. Curiosity builds bridges; assumptions just make people jump into imaginary oceans with their luggage. Or, you know… you could just Google it instead of binge-watching Korean dramas.
Finally, an important tip when travelling to Africa – “Pack Light… You’ll Be Throwing It Anyway”
Salima
Just me thinking out loud over here