Day 232
“Kristin,” Krish, the owner of my hostel in Cameron Highlands, started bashfully, “Would you like to come to a local party tonight?”
Through my travels, I have learned that when invited to a local event the answer should always be ‘yes.’ When he added that the food was free and the draught Guinness was free-flowing, my commitment solidified.
It was a dinner and karaoke session that was hosted by the Cameron Highlands elite, and I was invited.
An hour or so before taking off, Krish informed me that since I’d be the only foreigner, there was no way I’d get out of performing karaoke on stage. I told Krish I can’t sing worth a damn to which he merely retorted an evil giggle.
We arrived a short time later to a mixed crowd of Chinese-Malaysian and Indian-Malaysian attendees. Krish found it hilarious to introduce me to everyone as a singer from Hollywood, thereby cementing my fate.
Next, an informational video about a dietary supplement played for about twenty minutes, followed by a passionate and heartfelt weight loss story by an attendee. I could make out very little of what was said (as I’m not a Malay speaker), but found it odd that we had just eaten plates of fried food.
Oh, and next we were having cake.
He finished by pointing to a pile of supplements and offering them for 20 ringgit apiece.
It was quite a unique opening to a party.
I had thought that perhaps in the hype of the moment it had been forgotten that a (fake) singer from California was in the audience, but the speech was finished by thanking us, especially ‘our special guest from California, who would be singing later,’ for attending.
I cringed.
A couple of songs went by sung by others – one a traditional Indian song and the other a love ballad in Chinese. Then, Krish mischievously took over the microphone and announced that I would be singing a song.
I hung my head, downed my glass of Guinness for some liquid courage, and walked over to the karaoke booth to make my choice. It was clear I was not getting out of this one.
Have I mentioned that I have never, ever sang in front of anyone? I mean, the shower walls and the inside of my car have certainly heard my singing voice, but even they were silently protesting, I’m sure of it.
My sincerest hopes that a Taylor Swift ballad would be available (yes, I do have her entire discography memorized and yes, I am shameless in admitting that) were dashed when the entire booklet appeared to be stuck in the 90s. Thankfully, there was some Maroon 5 in there to save the day – er, night, as it were.
I greeted the crowd in Chinese and apologized for my poor singing ability. This alone elicited cheers. The foreigner was speaking their language. I instantly felt better.
Missing most of the high notes but managing not to shatter any glass or make anyone in the audience cover their ears and beg through bitter tears for the terrible noise to stop, I finished the song and hoped I’d be done with it. I tried to run off stage.
But, no, an encore was requested. This time, I sang Killing Me Softly (I can only manage deep-voiced songs) to music that was a bit off, and ran off stage insisting I was done singing, damnit!
If you’d like to see me singing, feel free to subject yourself. I warn you, however, that I am really, truly, awful!
Cringeworthy Karaoke in Malaysia from Kristin Addis on Vimeo.
(God, don’t you wish you could dance that awkwardly? Or mess up several times on stage in front of tons of strangers? I know I once did. Goal: reached)
“Singing makes you young,” says Krish.
I think it just made me feel sober.
The rest of the night saw me going around the room saying “Hen gaoxin renshi ni,” (nice to meet you) over and over – the crowd was suddenly much more interested in this foreigner who could speak some Chinese – followed by dancing to a variety of 50s swing, hip-hop, and Bollywood songs.
I was not allowed to sit in my chair and resist dancing. Each time I tried, I was pulled back up.
It was my mastery of all of the moves to Gangnam Style that earned me the compliment, “you dance really well!”. I had a hunch that one day I’d be glad I had learned the leg-kick-wrist-knock combo.
Somewhere between it all, I found myself laughing and enjoying the small party in the misty mountains of Malaysia more than I would a booming Hollywood night club. It was easily the most ridiculous night of my trip thus far.
And I mean that in the best possible way.
Have you ever broken out of your comfort zone while traveling? Tell your story in the comments!
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Rika | Cubicle Throwdown says
You are brave!! I’m always scared at kareoke that I’ll get pulled up to sing 🙂
Kristin says
I wish I could claim bravery but refusal was not an option!
Hector says
You are awesome Kristin!
Aroundtheworldforhappiness says
Awesome post good for you for getting up there and giving her hell, you only live once right:)
Love karaoke but also not the best singer, but its always a really great time!
Thankx for the really amazing post!
Kristin says
I suppose they’re the ones who had to deal with the horrible singing, so I got the last laugh (?)
Jeremy says
Hahahah
Diane says
Sounds like a good time. And the video of you singing Maroon 5 wasn’t bad at all! Way better than what I would have done. You’ve got guts!
Kristin says
Thanks although I’m not sure I agree!
Ashley of Ashley Abroad says
Haha I loved this. I have never tried karaoke but this makes me want to try it!
Kristin says
Pop on over to Asia, you’ll have numerous opportunities!
Ira says
You were rocking it!! 😀
The Guy says
I’m pretty much like you, not a fan of karaoke either. Yet it is very popular in many countries especially Asia.
Thankfully you had a drink or two to help you relax a bit and I’m sure it helped.
At least you had a good time in the end and a night not to forget.
Arianwen says
I hope you’re now a karaoke convert! I find it interesting how much people’s ability and reactions differ in different countries. I’ve cleared a bar in Turkey by being so offensively bad and yet won a competition in Ecuador!
Kristin says
Haha what?! I might have gone in the corner and cried if I cleared the bar.
Beth says
Ohh this post made me laugh! And it also brought back cringe-worthy memories of when I was forced to sing the NATIONAL ANTHEM in front of 100 students in Peru! I wanted to DIE! They were cheering me on, but it was awful. Supposedly there was “no other way” for them to learn it (a youtube video wouldn’t suffice, I guess) haha you just inspired me to write a story about that 😀 I really like your blog! I’m glad I found it 🙂 Keep the great stories comin’!
Peace 🙂
Kristin says
The national anthem is so hard to sing! No way I could manage that one.
Auston says
Sounds like a crazy night! Sometimes traveling helps to bring you out of your shell and do things you might not normally do. Luckily when traveling, you meet new people then move on quickly so you likely won’t see them again to relive your embarrassment 🙂
Ayngelina says
Good job! You’re brave 🙂
Mackenzie says
I stayed at Krish’s place in 2014. Similar start: I was the only foreigner staying, so he took me to hang out with some locals. Turns out there was a documentary film crew doing a travel special on the Cameron Highlands. Somewhere on the internet is footage of me spending 3 days with this Malaysian film crew … hiking, eating strawberries, visiting gardens, and trying steamboat… all on camera! Krish– what a gem of a guy!
Kristin says
Super cool!