Over the holidays, I needed to leave the country to renew my visa. Now, I could've done a border run like all other farang but that would mean that I couldn't leave Thailand for another 3 months and after Thanksgiving I thought it best to not be around for another holiday celebrated in America. So, I decided to go visit Soo who I knew from New York. She had just retired to a beautiful new home in Malaysia. I flew direct from Chiang Mai to Kuala Lumpur for less than $150. That was good. Chiang Mai was cold; in the 50s, and without proper clothes, heating or insulation. Cold. I stepped off the plane to a blast of heat and humidity. Soo and her cousin, Irene, picked me up. Turns out we were to stay with Irene and her family. That was a bit unexpected. She had a lovely home and I enjoyed her family but I really was expecting to inconvenience anyone but Soo. Irene took us around for a few days.
Beginning that first evening to a theme park called Cowboy Town. That was a total trip. They say a 'picture is worth a thousand words' unfortunately as usual I had no idea where we were going as we dashed out the door. It had an American wild west theme - mostly Native American. Young Malaysian men dressed vaguely to resemble Native Americans (please don't ask me which tribe) did a show with fire and gasoline. Followed by a parade with various animals, more cowboys and Indians, as well as "exotic" dancers from the Ukraine. Totally bizarre hodge podge of themes. May I add at this point that they hadn't researched the old west too well. The audience really seemed to enjoy it. Forgive me but I found myself delighted in spite of the stereotypes, the exploitation of animals and women. It was charming. It was soooo not−disney−low−budget−fun−campiness. I loved it. This show just could not exist in the United States. The political−incorrectness alone would've killed it. But the liability on the fire show and wild animals certainly would've lead to a lawsuit that no one could afford. I felt like such a jaded American, well not after I started to clap along with the rest of the unenlightened crowd.
I think the rest of the trip was pale by comparison. We went to Melaka which was an old Portuguese port. Wonderful museums and quaint old streets made this a place I could live. Of course we went to the mandatory Petronus towers which was interest I suppose although we didn't go up. Having lived in NYC, we didn't see the point. Went to Batu Caves which was interesting. It gave me a taste for India where I will go to the end of the year. Saw some kid get attacked by a monkey. He totally deserved it since he was teasing it. We spent a few days in Penang which is like a less desireable Melaka and a few more on a nearby island, Langkawi. Penang had a lot of sites to see, while Langkawi was really just a beach and hiking place. I loved Langkawi. It was peaceful and quiet. I want to go to the beach. I don't really like the beach but I feel I could use the rest. I always feel I could use the rest. I think I started this trip out wrong. I went to the mediation retreat but really I should've spent a month on a beach: So long that I was bored silly and dying to get to work.
