I represented my boss to attend lunch in British Navy Ship HMS Glasgow, before attended the lunch I have to make a phone call for confirmation. During discussion with the ship agent, he told me many local are also invited for the lunch and I was very happy.

Lunch started at 1330 and I need to come early. When I was infront of the ship gangway one of the crew come and I gave him the invitation card . The crew accompany until I met Ship Commanding Officers at Captain Bridge.

When I was at Captain Bridge I very surprise because I didn’t see any local all of them Caucasian. I took long breathe and deep inside my hard I started to cursed the agent and I fell like to give him one big slap. At this moment I can fell time running very slow and l look opportunity to escape from the event.

At Captain Bridge I was chatted with ship officers and they ask me a lot about Penang. After a while one of them invited me to go to Mass Room. Once I entered Mass Room again I see all Caucasian some of them from Australia, British, Canada and American. Now I become a stranger in my own country.

Before started the lunch I go to Commanding Officer and whispered to him, I want to discuss something outside the Mass Room and he agreed. Outside the Mass Room I told him that I can have a lunch because I muslim. The Commanding Officer told me that food was prepare by local (Eden) and all Halal food.

He invited me go to long table and gave me a seat. All guest started eat and also chatted, menu for that afternoon is a tune fish, vegetable, pudding, fruits, soft drink and also red wine.

The food was good but my mood not very good. I heard their talked about Free Masson, Middle East Conflict and 11 September. Most of their opinion against with my thought . I have kind of feeling that all this people have “an etnocentrizem attitude” During lunch hour most of time I only observe and listen their conversation.

At the end of the lunch I fell relief because life will be back as normal. For me event thought I did not enjoy my lunch but it is one of good experience I had in my life. I will carry this memory forever.