 |
Music •
Biography •
Press Kit •
Randomness •
Lyrics Gigs • Photos • Writing • Fun Stuff • Links • Contact |
Monday, November 27, 2006 What I Learned in Malaysia - Singaporeans will go to great lengths for good food (I knew this, but I definitely saw this in action when we got 15 people in two cabs and a van to a restaurant at an unclear location). - Always rinse your dinnerware in hot water—provided at the table—before eating. - Eating steamed fish, hot pot, and rib soup for breakfast isn't unusual. - Some shopkeepers are superstitious: if the first customer of the day doesn't end up buying, the rest of the day will go badly. Use this to your advantage. - Even in other countries, Singaporeans' prime pastimes are eating and shopping. - Although Starbucks is basically the same everywhere, an "upside down caramel macchiato" means different things to different people. And yes, it's totally invaded Malaysia too. - Malaysia is a third-world country. This sunk in when I realized that there were a fair number of rusted tin houses in various parts of Kuala Lumpur and that the atmosphere of good restaurants around the country would scare a lot of westerners. That said, KL is quite modern, and trains there are quieter than the Chicago L. - Drinking carbonated beverages can prevent certain stomach problems (apparently your typical Coke or Sprite can perform the same function as a carbon pill). - It can be surprisingly easy to travel with 15 people. - Sales people from legitimate reflexology and massage parlors in KL stand in the sidewalk, aggressively hawking their wares. - Getting a massage in Malaysia is cheap. - Even though Malaysia and Singapore border each other, they don't make crossing the border easy. - A lot of people ride motorcycles. But no one wears leather. - It's standard practice for traffic cops to encourage bribes in lieu of giving out tickets. Apparently the new prime minister isn't happy about this, though former ones didn't seem to mind. - Bargain bargain bargain. ^ Top | 12:24 PM | | | 
|
