Bad Air

Recently there were very contentious elections held in Malaysia and as a precaution I set up an account with the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to be notified of any emergency situation.  There was speculation that foreigners might be advised to leave if certain events unfolded, but fortunately no violence erupted.  However I am now on their mailing list and got the above email this week.

Since my knowledge of the geography of this part of the world was very limited a few years ago and maybe yours is also, let me give you a little information.  Malaysia is a peninsula which extends from Thailand in the north and ends in Singapore, just a short distance from the equator.  The island nation of Indonesia encloses the peninsula on three sides and now is the burning season for the farmers all over Indonesia.  The horrid smoke from the crop fires gently wafts its way and has invaded Malaysia.  Everyone is encouraged to refrain from outdoor activities so my hiking and swimming have come to a halt.  I am very unhappy about that, although the first couple of days seemed like a school holiday.  Now I am ready to get back to it and there is no relief in sight from the smog.

I have recently become aware that my life here in Malaysia is becoming quite routine.  I go to the same places to eat, shop, drink, and it feels so natural.  I still experience thrills several times a week when I discover something new to see, eat, drink, learn.  I am glad to report that I am still amused.

Arab Season

Muslim women dressed in their burkas from head to toe in black even on the beach just seems wrong!!!I am glad the little girls are able to enjoy the beach, at least until they turn 12 years.  

Now is what the tourist oriented businesses in Penang refer to as Arab Season.  While temperatures in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, can reach 134 degrees, here it is a relatively cool 90- 100 degrees.    As someone pointed out to me, there are not a lot of places that welcome Muslims and also have the attractions of Penang, so they flock here at this time.  I had to take very discrete pictures on the beach to show you the unbelievable beach attire.  I even saw one lady riding a jet ski which I thought just totally incongruous.  

Speaking of temperatures here, I think it is interesting that I have learned to cope so well without air conditioning.  I do have air con in my apartment but I am adapting to local ways and only turn it on for an hour when I go to bed.  It is just one more thing I have learned by experience.  

Don't you love this sign?  In public restrooms all around these parts this sign is posted to advise those unfamiliar that this is a sitter and not a squatter.  Personally I am always glad to have a sitter, but you can't always get what you want, ya know.

I am traveling tomorrow from Penang to Kuala Lumpur for the weekend.  I will take a 4-5 hour bus from central Penang to central Kuala Lumpur.  I could take a one hour flight for just a few dollars more but the travel time to and from airports would make it about the same amount of travel time.  Besides the scenery in Malaysia is beautiful, most of the highways being lined on both sides with palm tree plantations as palm oil is the second major export of Malaysia.  (First is oil, as in Petronas Towers.)

Ais Kacang

Penang is respected throughout Asia as a culinary hotspot, probably because there are many ethnicities each with their own regional specialties all living on this relatively small island.  I have mentioned Indian,  Chinese, Thai and Malay food frequently but one treat I have neglected is ais kacang.   In a hot climate cold refreshments are always appreciated so this dessert has a base of shaved ice which is ladled with various fruit syrups, lychees, pineapple, mango, surprisingly red beans and sweet corn kernels, and a scoop of ice cream.  All over the island hawkers sell ais kacang and it is always tempting to stop for a cool bowl of crushed ice with a little sweet thrown in for a quick sugar rush.

I know some of you wonder what I do when I have medical problems so far away from the USA.  I am fortunate that there are many excellent medical facilities in this modern city and today I am going for a follow up visit t a gastrointerologist at Penang Adventist Hospital.  One month ago I started feeling concerned that my stomach always felt a little inflamed and it persisted long enough that I felt I should seek medical attention.  I arrived without an appointment at 10 AM (The hospital does not schedule appointments for new patients for some reason.), saw the doctor, had an xray, a gastroscopy, got results and medications before 3 PM all for less than $400.  The doctor advised me to avoid coffee, orange juice, spicy food and alcohol.  Well, I have cut down on the orange juice at least.