Kuala Lumpur- Our first visitor-Purple Party

So it has been a while since i have posted. A mixture of inspiration and dedication I suppose. But now I am back in the saddle.

First things first- We made another border run to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is the New York City of Malaysia. With skyscrapers in all directions, people speaking fluent English, and Megamalls that would bring any grown woman to tears- Kuala Lumpur was a breathe of fresh air, literally. The air pollution was not in comparison with the terrible air we breathed in Bangkok and the city was immaculate. Not a piece of paper or gum on the ground. KL, as the locals call it, seemed to be a well kept city all around.

We arrived at the Marriott at night (thanks again to the kind Mr. Hickey), we ventured out to Little India. After 45 minutes of walking we came to find that it had been closed for hours and was more of a day thing. So we hoofed it back to our part of town, stopping off at a small Indian joint along the way. Now Malaysia is known for it's cheap, delicious Indian food. Maris and I have been on a clinically insane Indian food kick, so we were excited to test out their goods. We have a beer and a selection of vegetarian curries with homemade roti, which is actually naan (the bread used in indian food for scooping out the goopy goodness). It was quite delicious and left us in a state of borderline hallucinations we were so full. We wobbled back to the room and called it a night. So far so good, the food was great and extremely cheap. We also noticed everyone spoke good English, something we were no accustomed to.

The next day we took a trip to Little India, also known as Masdjek India. It was fantastic, I commented many times on the fact that I felt like we were actually in India. We ate a little green signed, packed to the brim, vegetarian Indian food joint. It didn't have a name, but if I were to be so lucky as to put a word on their green sign above their door, I would call it "Awesome Ass Food Place".

They stretched out a large green banana leaf on our table and commenced the plopping of food all over it, military mess style. No utensils and a small silver pitcher of water. It was mono y mono. My green leaf covered in rice, covered in two or three different sauces, accompanied to it's right by a small dab of cottage cheese. Next to that two or three different variations of vegetable masala and to top it off, a weird little fruit jello mold concoction and a burned to the crisp pepper for seasoning. We began working on our right hand pincher style dining experience. I first tried picking the food up and dropping it in my mouth like a skill crane dropping rocks on top of a pile. I found that left me choking more times then not, so I went with the scoop method, using my hand as a spoon. That worked great and it helped me absolutely inhale every bit of contents on that green leaf. Maris did the same. I can honestly say it was one of the best lunches I have ever had and without a doubt the most unique dining experience ever. It was all you can eat, so the waiters would come by with their little merry go round of drums filled with everything and slap more on your leaf. I called it a quits, Maris continued to feed the insatiable animal that lives in the pit of her belly.

It was a great rest of the trip. We met with a guy I knew. He showed us around. We had a couple drinks and called it a night. We spent the next two days shopping. Well, Maris spent the next two days shopping, I spent them moping sorrily behind her. There are at least 7 malls I know of in KL. Each are AT LEAST 4 stories high. I could live without shopping again in my life after this trip.

The last night we found a Sushi joint called Yoko's. It was quite tasty and a great way to end our experience in Malaysia. We commented many times on how we could live there. The opportunities there seem endless, much like NYC. So it's in the running, maybe.

We returned back home to our first visitor the one and only Dale Hickey. Two Hickeys in one household for two weeks! My lord. We spent a day at the beach in West Railay and have been eating at all our local favorite spots.

We then hosted a party. The Purple Party. Everyone had to dress in purple and they did. Bottom line is, it was fun. There was karaoke, drinks, talking, dancing- Everything a purple party should be.

I started work at the Sheraton last week. It has been all Orientation so far. This week I have been eating at every restaurant on the grounds (around 6). I am "observing" the associates (staff) so I can better teach them. They are paying for the food, so I am not complaining. The job is going to be great, I love the people I work with. So far so good.

It's been a wild month, we have had a lot of great experiences and we move in a week or so to a new place. Smaller and cheaper, it will suit us a lot better.

So, Til Next Time..

_Brock