“May I talk to you?” asked the Japanese lady who approached our breakfast table.
Our minds went back to last night and the drunk Swede. Why are people drawn to us? My theory is that they’re not – they’re drawn to Rudy. I never had this when I was travelling by myself, but he’s a people magnet 🙂 Happily, she was great company – a retired lady who was travelling with her husband now that her three daughters were grown up.
Then a relaxed bus tour (the ticket was for 24 hours, so we definitely got our money’s worth), seeing the city’s buildings:
And transport:
And damp buildings (this is what those new buildings in Cambodia will look like in the not-too-distant future):
And Chinatown’s Petaling street from above:
Later in the trip, I got chance to practice my modelling skills – the girl in front was taking another “strategic” selfie. Rudy suddenly stopped talking when he realised I was looking ahead, smiling and bringing my V-sign close to my face. She looked mildly embarrassed, then pleased and took the photo. Our conversation resumed. I hope I made her happy 🙂
Then it was off to meet Cris and Annie. Walking to the market, we saw this massive hole in the road (which had got noticeably larger by the time we returned about an hour later):
Markets are always good – bustling, alive, colourful, interesting. And this one was no exception. We were just one metro stop outside the city, but it felt completely different – residential and local, despite the large percentage of ex-pats:
“Do you have any onion?” Annie asked the stallholder.
“No, only vegetables.” Ah, right. Yes.
Rudy’s attention was stolen by the dumpling stall:
Then back via the supermarket where, outside, there was a food bank for people to deposit and take whatever they needed. Great idea. Many times I’ve been faced with a BOGOF* offer and would have been happy to give away the free item:
Cris and Annie travel the world. They made their money by working hard, noticing a niche in the market for ethnic clothes and alternating between Thailand, where they designed and made the clothes, and European festivals, where they sold them. They now do whatever they please. And right now this involves a stay in KL in an apartment via AirBnB (must try this sometime). So I went for a lovely swim in the block’s pool, did some yoga with Annie and then ate a delicious veggie curry. Anka and Marishu are their Romanian and Peruvian (respectively) flatmates. A great night with great company:
PS I should explain why we’ve all got our hands up: Marishu (front centre) cut her hand on a glass earlier that evening and needed to keep it raised, so we joined her in a show of solidarity 🙂
* Buy One Get One Free