Preface
If these notes are truly for my future self, then I should do that. First, future me, are you happy? I sure hope so. I’m doing stuff to attempt to guarantee this. I’m moving pieces around the board of life, spending money and filling the well to help out on this endeavor. I’m sure my future-self appreciates this. I suspect he’s probably hoping I have a good time on the journey. I believe I am. I’m sure if in the future I had a brand-new time machine, I’d be coming back to talk to myself from occasionally with a little guidance and hopefully a stock tip or two. If I were to run into my future self from time to time, I suspect I’d start to use a little more sunscreen and have a little work done on my eyelids. That way when I did come back in time, I would look a little better.
I would ask future me on how everyone is doing. I’m sure he’d give me that look, “do you really want to know?” We lose touch with people; we gain people in the form of new friends. Some walk off into that void and are gone forever and some of us reproduce tiny forms of ourselves in new babies. Do I want to be told by my future self about this sort of thing? I think I’ll pass for now. Though it would be nice to know if the Mariners ever go to the world series.
Penang, Malaysia
Ok, it starts off a tad negative...
In the normal world ‘it‘ has a trigger on the sprayer, like in your kitchen sink, such that you have control (off/on plus pressure) using your thumb and forefinger. This stupid one takes both your right and left hand to operate.
The flight from Chiang Mai, via Bangkok, was typical. A total of 9 hours from door to door. The driver from airport to the Bayview Hotel was friendly and informative. It was the initial impression of the hotel drove me down a path of darkness, better known as a ‘pout‘. It started where all things begin, with the bum gun. Yes, they had one, but WTH! Not to get into the details but only a left-handed octopus could work this contraption. Ahhhh I cannot tell you what angst this caused me. Combined with a deep sense of foreboding and terror, I can only stare at the ceiling while laying on the bed. Then the second most important thing to a traveler; the internet connection. It was pretty much non-existent at our hotel during our stay. It’s amazing how much we are dependent on it. I didn’t do proper research because I assumed I could just get online. I’ll give you just one example. What is the local currency? I went to the bank machine and got 500 somethings because it was a nice round number. Did I just get enough to buy a candy bar or enough for a down payment on a 3-bedroom home? Gawd!
Is traveling glamorous? Well, which parts are you talking about? In the abstract, traveling absolutely is, along with soul filling, exciting and fun. But restless legs in a cramped ‘economy‘ section of the plane for between 2 and 12 hours, not so much. Walking thru the airport while zombie-tired and still trying to navigate signs, and having the correct paperwork in hand to get to where you are going is exhausting. Then standing in long lines with security and sometimes immigration and customs. Oh, do I take off my shoes or not? Laptops in separate bin? Remove chargers from personal bag? Every airport is different. Chop, chop… let’s go. People are behind you!
Open air sewer system. Which I’ll call street moats the rest of my life. A phrase coined by Diane.
By mid-day on our first day a few of the unfortunate had asked for money, one or two very drunk people walked by us, later someone was lying on the sidewalk unconscious. I’m hoping they were sleeping but I could not be sure. The only article of clothing was a pair of cutoffs. This comes with the territory of large cities. Even Seattle cannot hide from this. Though I don’t remember if this ever happened in Chiang Mai and I bet it does not happen in Bee, Nebraska.
In large cities in the world, I’m ok with the concept of open sewers, not my fav, but it is what it is. But here in Penang many places don’t have them covered. They are like little unspeakable street moats. It would be next to impossible to accidentally step in one, but if you did, it would be best just to leave your shoe in ‘there’ and hop home.
I certainly looked forward to this ‘trip‘ but I can’t help noticing that I’m not 100% focused. Maybe it’s because all the other things that are happening at the same time. Finding a new home, finding a temporary home, 2023 taxes, getting our O visa via Cambodia and finally opening a bank account. Yes, I realize that nobody in the world is calm, cool, and collected when they go on vacation. I assume that is what vacations are for.
Notice the sink drains into the sidewalk…
Maybe it is time to take this frown and turn it upside down, Mister!
I run across some street art which this city is famous for. If I find enough over the next few days, I’ll dedicate an art section later in this blog post.
Is there a better address than 23 Love Lane? I think not! Sounds like a song from the great singer songwriter Billy Mac.
Is there a better site than BBQ pork hanging in the kitchen window of the restaurant you are dining at? Nope.
Steak Frites Restaurant
Meet Din. Whom I believe single handedly saved the entire country of Malaysia from an international incident. Bill was pouting, and the world knew it. This turns around now!!!
With 26 years of experience in the restaurant industry, he moved like a confident cat amongst customers, asking the correct questions, adept with the rules of service and at the same time was quick to laugh and be a real human being. If I were to open a restaurant in Georgetown, I would certainly poach him, offer him more money and stock in the company then build my restaurant empire around him.
This was the first time in 4 months we had a steak. Sure, we have had a fair amount of beef, but a big, juicy chunk of cow, not in a while. Yeah, I know, I will turn in my man-card soon. By luck, we stumbled into our now favorite restaurant south of the equator. I am a huge fan of restaurants with a short and succinct menu. This menu had one item on the menu. Yes, you read that correctly, one option for dinner. “A steak with fries and a salad.” Order this, or just leave. It’s up to you. “I pity the fool” that leaves this excellent restaurant.
To the common observer this looks like a simple meal. Sure, a steak filet with the best french fries I’ve had in an eon, with a simple green salad served earlier.
This tender 6-ounce steak had a generous dollop of herb butter with a subtle dash of some mysterious Indian spice. My mouth just salivated as I retype my notes. Wines by the glass came in two options…. red and white. At first, I was a little worried but when Din opened a nearby wine refrigerator for the white my apprehension dropped to the floor. The pour was generous, and Diane’s tasted remarkably excellent. My house red, which I didn’t know the varietal or vintage was as welcome as a hug from an old friend.
One could make fun of the dinner roll that was served, but it was something my mom would have on the table. It brought me home, much like the scene in Ratatouille where the villain was soothed by the flavors of home.
Walking tour with George... in George Town... Nice
Today started with a walking tour of the city of George Town in the state of Penang. This experience has cemented in my brain to do a private tour with a guide in every new city. Especially if we are only here for a week or so. George, our guide proved this for sure. He was a walking encyclopedia of info on George Town. His name was a mere coincidence. We started with dim sum at 7am. Which, for me, is way too many kinds of meat at that time of day. Diane was very happy with the ‘sitch’.
George was a pleasant human being to boot. In a different situation, I’d be happy to hang out with him and have a couple of beers. We could talk sports and maybe politics.
I found it interesting that when the morning started with George his English was excellent but with his heavy accent, I understood 65% of it. But every minute my brain adapted and learned. Within an hour my comprehension was at 90% Then by the end of the day it was much like listening to someone from Texas. Only a few words I wondered about.
Street Art
As we wandered the city we came across fantastic street art. The canvas for these artists were random buildings spread across the city. This is the part where I stop typing and just show…
Conclusion...
My attitude has turned around for sure. Has this area made it on to the ‘we could retire here‘ list? Probably not, but it was most enjoyable. I hope the beginning of this blog was not too negative. I try to cast an honest shadow as I write. At the finish I ended up really liking George Town in the state of Penang in the country of Malaysia.
What turned me around? It was the people. Like the happily working fish monger to the left. And especially George our excellent guide and Din our dining expert. It certainly helped that I figured out the bum-gun at the hotel. A real game changer.
Malaysian people were quick to smile and nod their head in friendly acknowledgment. I shook someone’s hand and it felt right. This has not happened in 3 months. It was nearly shocking to have the young woman at the phone store reach out with her hand and a smile. It isn’t done in Thailand.
Tomorrow, we head to Singapore for a similar excursion. Stay tuned for our next adventure…
Epilogue
I notice that breakfast is far from home. In this 340-room hotel the dining area for breakfast has a couple of dozen or more guests. Being a predominantly Muslim country most of the women I see are wearing hijabs and several of the men are wearing the brimless kufi. Then I made a discovery. Is it possible to have stumbled into the worst toaster in a hotel in the Southeast Asia?
Yes, I have. Though in a positive light it is becoming the social version of a watercooler at a place of work. People are gathered and much conversation is promoted amongst strangers on how to best work this ill designed and ridiculous contraption. After observing for several minutes and seeing an opening where no one is there, I make my move. Complaining can be a team sport. I ended up chattin’ with a woman on the best usage. I was given sage advice. I discovered that indeed it takes two times thru the conveyer belt. Once to get to the warm bread level (90 seconds) and the second time the toasting is nearly acceptable. I think 3 times would have been perfect, but I have had two birthdays since I started this endeavor, and there was an 8-year-old boy standing next to me and staring at me the whole time. When the ‘toast’ shot out for the second time I laughed and told this kid, “That will have to do.” He smiles and the two of us have a moment.
I hope the future me enjoys the toaster story. I will have forgotten this moment until I read these notes 10 years in the future.
Another excellent staff person with a New Zealand accent when he speaks English, Etienne. Yes, ladies, this guy looks even better in person. Well spoken, polite and a touch of wit. Simply go to Nyonya Lah restaurant where you can ogle all you’d like. (We are talking about the guy on the left).
Our last day was spent on Armenian street. We ended up having two lunches and ice cream. We were there a while. I even purchased a linen shirt with a Mandarin collar.
A Pakistani ice cream guy was way fun to talk to. He had an engaging smile which caused Diane to circle back and walk in. We chatted with him and hung out a bit. He has been in Malaysia for 7 years now. We had ube for Diane and cookies and cream for me. Ask Diane or any Filipino what ube is.
It was 90 degrees with enough humidity to make it feel like 100 degrees… and these guys are doing what?? No! No! No! OMG No!
