KL

On our way from the airport I was already anxious to see the iconic structure which has been all too familiar in my mind. True enough at first sight, while our train was making its way through the streets of Kuala Lumpur those two towers stand brightest, glimmering over all that shines in that night skyline. And at that moment even for an outsider and a tourist like I, I realized the importance of having such a landmark for all to see, for all to recognize, and for all to identify that indeed this is Malaysia.

I originally planned on writing a rather lengthy and angst-ridden post on my experience in traveling around Malaysia but for all intents and purposes I feel like this isn't the right medium to vent it all out. This is the first time in ages that I didn't care much about what would happen to us since I wasn't that involved in the planning so I really had much time to observe.

If there is one thing I can say about Malaysia, it is that relatively it is a much more convenient place to live in compared to the Philippines. It is much more developed in more ways than one. Over and over I thought of how it would be great to imagine the Philippines reaching the same level of progress. Sad to say only that decades ago it was safe to say that both countries were really on the same level. Now the Philippines is lagging behind its contemporaries.

On a lighter note, I very much enjoyed the food there. What with that daily fix of teh tarik or that generous serving of nasi goreng or char keoy teow which cost so cheap but really tasty I had withdrawal symptoms coping with what was being offered here in the Philippines. My experience there just made me realize that I deserve better.

But in the end I am just thankful for another [mis]adventure. For missing our pre-booked bus trip heading back to Kuala Lumpur from Melaka. For missing the last shuttle going back to the city proper later that evening. For spending a night sleepless and worried next to my sick girlfriend. For the bus breaking down for almost five hours on our return trip from Penang. For my friend who forgot his camera on that same bus. For that same friend who shouted at a taxi driver who tried to overcharge them on taxi fare. For the chance to be lost and to find my way back. For another story to tell. Terimah Kasi, KL.