Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

My last few days were spent in the capitol of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. I took a bus down from the Cameron Highlands and was dropped in China Town, the backpacker district. I after securing a room for myself, I went on a wander, as I am wont to do.

The city is massive, as most capitols of a few million people are, but easily navigable and with a fairly competent public transit system. After taking a brief lap close to my hostel, I returned. And lo, on my return visit I stumbled upon a parade. And quite the parade it was. It was clearly for religious reasons, and I assume it was a combination of Buddhist and Hindus.

Mixed of mostly equal parts Chinese and Indians, the parade had several distinct stages. First came several floats with small, temporary shrines on them. Next were Chinese dancers/actors and Chinese dragons, then Indian musicians and actors, followed by more floats.

The floats were very elaborate, papier-mâché and stone statues with garlands and incense. The Chinese dancers were some sort of warriors; they carried swords and other weapons. Most amazing was their self-mutilation. During their performance they repeatedly struck their own backs with the weapons. One man cut himself severely and was bleeding quite badly – only a three inch long gash across his back.

The Indian musicians were mostly drummers. They played a fast beat on their drums and sang to accompany it. With them was a man dribbling vermillion from his mouth (it looked like blood). Worshipers would come to be blessed by him.

Wandering amongst all the dancers and floats were a variety of characters dressed as mummers, fools, and, I assume, angry ghosts. They ran up and down the procession alternately scaring and joking with the observers.

To even greater luck the parade came to a halt where I had bumped into it and began setting off fireworks. It was not a great production, but made all the more impressive by my proximity to it. And the fact that the fireworks exploded literally feet from the surrounding buildings. After the parade I returned to my hostel for the night.

The following morning I went on a much longer wander. I encountered a preserved rain forest in the middle of the city next to the KL tower (KL=Kuala Lumpur). Years ago the government decided to create a national park within the center of the city; it’s strange being in the middle of a rainforest, but being able to hear all the sounds of the city.

I did not venture to the top of the KL tower, as it cost an exorbitant rate to ride the elevator, but I did take some photos of the impressive structure. And then, slowly, made my way back to the hostel.

That night I ventured over to the Petronus Towers; they were the tallest buildings in the world for six years. Taipei 101 overtook them in 2004. Lit up at night, they are truly stunning. The lights play against the night sky and their sheer size astounds. The overall image looks surreal.

The next morning I ventured to Little India, not much to comment on, but the food was great. And then finally to the airport where I spent the night before returning to Singapore. And here I am now, a week later and just now updating. I still don’t have internet at home. Mid-autumn festivals, terrorism on the subway, and more coming soon.