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Traveling has always been a big passion of mine. Not just visiting a place, but living and breathing their culture. At this point I had been living in Japan for six months, and I was ready to move on to a new culture. So I decided to move to Australia, with a couple of stops on the way of course. For the first time I was going to really travel alone. Upon arriving on the main island of Langkawi, an archipelago made of 99 islands in Malaysia, I had no idea what was awaiting me. As an introvert I struggle to meet people, but nothing brings me more joy than making real connections. Something that a lot of us find difficult in the superficial society we currently live in. On my very first day, as I was walking to the shop, I heard someone call from across the street: ”Josephine!”. I was confused. I didn’t know anyone, why would someone know my name? My curiosity concurred my shyness, so I crossed the street. I met a dark skinned man around my age, early twenties. Dressed fully in black despite the hot weather. He had dreadlocks and was wearing the biggest smile revealing his braces. I then realised we had matched on tinder. Jeff. Jeff was a bartender at the outdoor bar across the street from my hotel. I had dinner and some drinks at the bar that night, while talking to Jeff and the other bartender Misu. The surroundings were amazing at night. Pitch black, warm air, lightning flashes on the sky, but no sound of thunder. That night. The following night. Every night. Jeff was from Egypt, but had fled to avoid serving in the Egyptian military. A mandatory service, with great consequences for those who refuse. Misu was from Jordan, but after she left islam she had struggled to find acceptance in her country. I felt blessed. I felt grateful. Both for not having to go through what they were going through, but also to have met these two amazing and inspiring individuals. We spent most of my time on the island together. At day we would travel the island on scooters and at night we would hang out at the bar. Three extraordinary things happened on this trip. I clearly remember when we, and some of the other staff, drove to the 7 Wells Waterfall. We explored the whole area by foot. It was so beautiful. Green all over with wild monkeys wandering around. We bathed in the waterfall. Jumped from cliffs. Used slippery rocks as slides, leaving me covered in scratched and bruises. But in a good way. I have always felt adventurous, but this was a new side of myself that I had not met yet. The brave and bold Josephine. The second thing happened the same day. We were at the bar, all a bit exhausted, but the mood was high. That was until one of the other employees came running to the bar; ”Immigration is coming!”. Little did I know that Jeff and Misu didn’t have permission to work in Malaysia. Misu quickly packed her stuff, seemingly stressed and anxious. Jeff was a bit more calm, smoking his cigarette. ”Hurry up! I’m going to the woods!” Misu said to Jeff, but he stayed calm. I was then quick to offer them to come to my hotel room across the street, which they agreed was a better idea than going to the woods. So I hid Jeff and Misu, the two illegal immigrants, in my hotel room until immigration had left. Yet another side of myself that I got to meet. The protective and rebellious Josephine. The last and most important thing, I was happy. After a long period of feeling confused and lost, I had found myself. On this trip I rode a scooter for the first time. Feeling the wind in my hair. I jumped from rocks into a waterfall for the first time. Overcoming a fear. I wanted to travel forever. Feeling my heart race with cheerfulness and excitement. I met the real me. I met the truly free and happy Josephine.