Buddha and some durian

Yesterday while riding the LRT train, I realized a young Malaysian was speaking to me. I hadn’t really heard what he said, so I asked for a repeat. “Are you a Buddhist too?” he asked. That was totally unexpected. “Yes, but what made you ask me that?” I said. He pointed to the mala I [...]

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Wet markets and shopping malls

One of my top priorities in Asian cities is to visit a big market. A wet market is just that — wet, uneven paving treacherous with snaking rubber hoses, puddles of who-knows-what, slippery patches, animal entrails (okay, not in big pieces, but something is making it slimy), and happy cats preening themselves after a meal.

Chow [...]

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I love Kuala Lumpur

Hard to explain what I like about this place (the food, of course, but so much more than that) and why. I have missed a lot of things since leaving almost three years ago, but it’s not merely nostalgia. The feeling here in the city is very positive, optimistic. Something new seems to be in [...]

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Day 4, Kuala Lumpur

Everyone wants to know if I know about Malaysia’s recent elections. Everyone’s so happy to hear that I followed them with great interest! And when we have exhausted our opinions abut the future of Malaysia and its ruling party, the next question for me is, “Are you for Hillary or Obama?” No one asks me [...]

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Already stuffed with rice (and other good food)

Arrived in Malaysia Friday night (May 9) at midnight (noon U.S. Eastern time). My friend Milton met me and ferried me away to her home. Luggage all arrived safely — so far, so good!
First thing in the morning, we went out for some nasi lemak. It’s wonderful how my Bahasa Malaysia vocabulary comes right back [...]

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