KL and loving it.
Train ride- for the first time
01.08.2009
Kuala Lumpur, 12:09 pm
I never thought this short trip will be fun.
I arrived KL close to 1am on 08 September 2008 on flip flops. Cold balmy wind embraced me just outside the airport. I was donning my green-brown jacket but it gave me shivers still. Its like welcoming me to this very foreign land. The feeling was great. I can’t explain it. Just as I expected, KL is one of the finest places I have been. It’s nothing different compared to Pinas although it’s more advanced and the weather is a little bit cold. My first peek of the famous PETRONAS Towers was fun but i was more amazed with the mall beside it. To be honest, their towers look magnificent especially during night time as the lights hit the silvery-bluish pastel color towers. It’s nice. It gives you the impression this country is something.
Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual society. The Malays, who form the largest community here, are defined as Muslims. My immersion in a very different culture/religion is pretty exciting and challenging at times. Born and raised and taught as practicing Christian, my first month experience was a mixture of happy-sad-exciting experience. Considering Pinas is an open country, living in KL “requires” you to look at the mirror few times and think thousand times on what to wear before leaving the house (you need to consider short shorts, skirts and popping cleavage. *grin*)
Food is another consideration. Pork (i happen to be a pork lover!) is as scarce as hell here. They sell these babies on a per gram basis. It’s true that whenever Pinoys abroad celebrate something, pork adobo is the most beautiful sight on the table (I’ve experienced it, believe me, it’s true!). Their ayam rendang (chicken in oh so nice lemon grass-coconut milk-chili sauce and nasi goreng kampong (fried rice with anchovies, fish paste, chili and water spinach) are to die for. totally wow.
KL celebrates 3 Christmases. The Malay’s Hari Raya, Indian’s Deepavali and our very own Western version. I never got the chance to spend Christmas at home- my first ever in 29 years. Totally different, but hey, we got pork adobo on our little noche buena.
I know for a fact that the moment i decided to come here, it will change me forever and now, my experiences slowly unveil what’s in store for me moving forward. My new life taught me how to be more mature, how to handle my finances and how to get out of very difficult times like waking up in the morning, battle with cold weather and shower, getting lost and missing people back home.
I love every moment I’m here and yes, I’m 4 months old today.
