An adolescent love letter to Malaysia
Malaysia began appearing on the horizon on my travels since
2008... The year I met my best friend in Asia on a flight to Siem Reap from
Kuala Lumpur. In fact I had determined not to return to KL after having dinner
with some wannabee European Chinese and a disappointed midlife crisis German!
They were so negative about Malaysia I began wondering why they continue to
live in this country... Are these people representative of the opinion in
general, painting such a negative picture of a picturesque country and an
anthropologically interesting one?
MC, who was to become my closest friend in Asia was on that
flight, like my dinner companions the night before she was Chinese and I was
not warm at all to her. I asked her direct questions and she patiently
explained to me, the dilemma of Malaysia.
Then followed a plethora of visits to KL and Malaysia,
people began commenting that they were seeing me more often than their friends
who lived in KL. Also I was introduced to some erudite people, intellectuals
and artists and all in all a very cultural respite, after the long trips to get
here. I met some intellectual Indian expatriates, the Cuban ambassador became a
friend.
Ipoh, Penang, and Malacca multiple times, Kuala Terengganu,
wonderful food at various restaurants in KL all followed. I also got to know
the tempo of Malaysia.
Believe it or not, this is my second visit to KL and
Malaysia this year, I have been averaging 4 to 5 visits per year. I became
aware of the Iran-Malaysia connection and benefited from it. I miss that
connection…
This time two Native Americans, Indians as they are called
in USA, are with me and their enthusiasm for Malaysia has increased my
affection for Malaysia. It was good to be with them, they look at everything
with such innocence and get such pleasure, watching with glee the fountains in
front of KLCC.
The night has fallen over KL. I am sitting at the 34th
floor of Double Tree Hotel in Ampang Park. My loyalty to this hotel has earned
me many friends who greet me with such warmth, making me forget that I come
from more than 10 000 miles away.
My Indian friends would come back from their adventure at
Taj Vivanta at Langkawi and after our brief ceremonial visits to KLCC and Nasi
Kandar Mellita (they have taken a liking to Roti Canai), I will once again
summon UBER to get us to KLIA where I would say a tearful goodbye to them, even
though I will be with their tribe, in my capacity as their Physician
Anthropologist in two weeks..
So much happens in the course of one day
Ramadan has begun in this predominantly Moslem but tolerant
country.
The sun has long set, taking with it my longings
Life is an unplanned journey, treat each and every one you
come across gently, pleasantly and nicely. Even if they are not nice to you, we
do not know the thousands of reasons what makes them unhappy. We are happy and
let us be grateful.
Grateful for Malaysia
I know that I would always be welcome here at the 34th
floor of Double Tree Hotel….
Thank you Iera, watie, didath, shahril and hafiz and also Nina
and sweetie
And at some simple Chinese restaurants in Seri Kembangan I
can feast on chicken on paper wrap..
I am so glad I could bring two American Indians here to KL..
I fly to Singapour tomorrow to meet my good friend Joe from
Bogor who is coming in for a chat and a good meal for sure...
