Upon arriving to Kuching, Malaysia, my hastily thinking was in full speed – far from the methodic wisdom of cats – “Odd? Why would they have cat statues positioned in the center of this majestic city?” I spewed. To no answer from my partner and taxi driver. Large and unadorned, the statues seemed out of place against the gold-plated Old State Mosque, Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building, Chinese temples, and the Dura Hana Bridge (rooted in traditional Bidayuh). Religious and cultural monuments engulfed my attention effortlessly and away from my inquisitive judgments about cats. In preparing for this trip, I read about the large Muslim population in Malaysia but I did not expect to see women in jihads or burqas amongst women wearing short sleeveless dresses patterned in sunflowers, poppies, and daises. Naively, this filled my mind with worry: “Do I need to be wearing one? I should have researched more about religious sensitivity? Am I being disrespectful to this religion?” Without internet, when traveling, questions are left to be answered with time and from your environment. And so, my first question verbally answered was by my bicycle tour guide. I asked, “Is it okay that I am not wearing a burqa?” With a friendly grin, the kind you give to a child whose question is filled with such naiveness it warms your heart, she answered, “Yes, it is not a problem. Only women who are Muslim wear burqas.” It then dawned on me, a Muslim country meant a large religious population it did not mean religious imposition for everyone in Malaysia. Once this “mental reframe” occurred so did the lens I was experiencing Malaysia. Birthed in Los Angeles and born again in Wisconsin, a narrow lens to begin with, this I knew. Now I noticed a country dancing collectively with one another’s religions and cultural traditions. Differences were respected and admired. As the mosque bells rang to note time for prayer. I no longer fretted for guidance. I simply did what I associated the sound of bells with –Mindfulness. I closed my eyes and brought attention to my breath. I was free to be my western-self – half Cali’ and half ‘Sconsin. Within three days of integration, the acceptance of religious freedom created a 3-D experience, one of transparency, acceptance, and inclusion. Releasing my initial confusion and subsequent list of questions, I sat in a mesmerized state on the steps of The Kuching Old Courthouse. Overlooking a squared courtyard, its well-manicured grass was centered with a circular water fountain. Outlining the square were symmetrically placed white columns before single-level buildings. Buildings that once housed Sarawak’s government officials. Now, a tourism center, an upscale bar, and a mostly all-white casual eatery. I relaxed into the richness of it all. I watched towards the fountain as a young couple posed for their wedding pictures. A groom wearing all-white was joined by his bride in a vibrantly hued red and pink bejeweled dress. With joy, I reflected on the thousands of traditions that fill our world and the vastness of all the differences. In my reflection, my attention caught a woman with her small child, both in a hijab, walking briskly pass the young couple and into the "mostly-white casual eatery." The door held open for her and her daughter by a teenage girl wearing a Nike hat, navy blue tank-top and denim cut-off shorts. In that moment, I realized, I had cats all wrong. Cats are said to have nine lives and even with this karmic luck they protect their lives wisely. When faced with a decision, they methodically observe, wait (for the right time), and then act. As such, Malaysia has done the same with the arrival of differing cultures and religions - observed immigration, waited to make a decision and their action was to create space. The people of Kuching know this wisdom very well, and so, cat statues are honored proudly, even naming their city after them. In Kuching, Malaysia, this cat-like approach has allowed all to co-exist, leaving travelers, like myself, feeling as if I’ve traveled to nine countries.