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First week in KL

Dear Friends and family,

The first week has been very turbulent. Meeting new people, eating a lot, visiting the toilet even more and getting used to the local weather. The weather is the most difficult part but I don’t complain. I haven’t seen any rain since I’m here and it’s mostly sunny with a few clouds on the sky. This means you don’t have to dry your hands after washing them, this takes more time than just leaving them wet. In less than 30 seconds they are dry :) Sun protector factor 30 doesn’t help and a 15 min. walk results in a flood of sweat from all over your body. The only solution is to avoid the hottest moments of the day, to jump in a shop with air-conditioning, walk as slow as the locals and to take a taxi very often.

At the moment I’m staying at Sita’s place in Bangsar. Bangsar is a rich part of town, not far from the center and the royal family can be seen here often, for shopping. Sita is a very friendly lady who had a husband in pop art. He unfortunately past away a few years ago but his spirit still hangs around in the house by paintings and all kind of arts, all very beautiful. I’m lucky to stay with her because she is friendly and laughs a lot. Although I think that I’m paying the western price it’s still cheaper than a hotel. I rather give my money to someone who needs it than a rich hotel owner also. Ilylia has organized this and has done a lot more for me so far. The house I’m going to live in, starting from the 18th and also in Bangsar, is organized by her as well. Ilylia is a local and will be my future neighbor. She studied medicine in Prague and is well aware of my western background. This makes it easier to talk and to ask questions about the Malay culture. As you can read in my last report it is easy to walk into the wrong kind of people, Ilylia belongs definitely not to this group and I’m very happy that I met her.

For the rest has it been a relaxing week with a lot of walking, not only for the shopping. Unfortunately I had to say goodbye to Jan-Roelf and another student Tom. I hope they came home save and we will have a beer when I’m back in Groningen! The culture is totally different here with a lot of foreign influences. Everybody speaks English and is very friendly. At the same time am I the white guy what’s like a local tourist attraction. People are looking at me everywhere I come and are curious what the white guy is doing. To be in this position with my head sticking out is new for me. Nevertheless it’s fun too. Especially the local girls are fun to watch, how the check me out a lot and how they get nervous when I come closer to ask “directions”. I think I won’t be bored when it comes to this ;)

I leave it with this to get ready for the night market. They are probably selling coconuts there what’s my new drug. It’s just great to see someone cutting a nut open so I can drink the fresh juice. The juice is like an explosion in your mouth and way better than the juice I normally buy at the grocery store (also healthier and cheaper).

Whish me luck tomorrow when I have my first working day and e-mails are always welcome!

Groeten Bas