down under

'Where are you from?' is not easy to answer anymore. During my recent trip to Aussie, different people have asked me that and though I am so sure of the answers at first, replies tend to be long.

David, from the backpackers' inn in Perth:
So where are you from?
We're from Manila, but we actually came from Singapore today.

Dev, a Cambodian IT professional based in France who were with us during the tour of Western Australia:
Where are you from?
I'm from Manila.
Is it different from Malaysia?
Yes, it's in the Philippines.
So after this you're flying to Manila?
No, we're heading off to Melbourne. But we don't actually came from Manila before the trip, we're based in Singapore now.

And now I realised the British accent I tend to have in Singapore evaporates in foreign land. And winter clothes can mask my Southeast Asian origins:

The Australian shop assistant at the ski equipment rental place at the foot of Mt Buller:
Can you please pull your pants a little higher to it doesn't go into the ski boots?
(after pulling my pants up)
Oh, you're legs are tan, you've been travelling around, yeah?
(in my mind: I'm tan! I'm Southeast Asian!)

American lady outside the cafe near the toboggan area at Mt Buller:
(after hearing me speak to the shopkeeper)
Where are you from?
I'm from the Philippines.
How come you have an American accent?
Really?
Yeah, you have an American accent.
I normally speak like that.

Ski instructor
(after hearing me explain why I slid in the slopes during the lesson)
You from Australia?
Nope, I'm from Manila.
Really?
Yeah, why?
Your English is fanstastic. You sound Australian to me.
(those head-to-foot winter clothes hid my tan and suddenly, I can be mistaken for an Aussie!?)