But despite the fanfare, Shanghai is hardly an international city (anyone who has been to Kuala Lumpur will immediately spot the difference) and a curious absence of creative energy can make this fast-changing city seem oddly parochial and inward-looking.
from the lonely planet guidebook on china (which is banned around here).
really missing the visual stimulation of islamic architecture. walking down the streets and noticing all the colors and geometric details in the facades.
(by comparison, shanghai is so bland and grey…)
so there we were, in the middle of rows of tables. kampung baru, the same area that was deserted during the whole day is now busy with life. people all around us, sitting on these tables, food steaming in front of them, colorful plastic glasses filled with iced colorful drinks. but no one is eating, not even the kids who stare at the food with hungry and impatient eyes. there is rain outside the improvised tents that cover this canteen and it is getting darker.
at 7:15, a chant on tv, subtitled in arabic. on the radio as well, a man prays in a mixture of praying and singing. and as soon as they stop, the feast starts. in the whole country.
kuala lumpur, singapore and malacca were a blast. many pictures and field notes to follow :)
(or, “how to stay in kuala lumpur for 10 euros/night”)
we’ve been looking for places to stay in kuala lumpur/singapore and since we are having trouble finding couches (ramadan starts today) someone suggested us the tune hotel, describing it as a “no frills hotel, that is for hotels as ryanair is for flights”. and you know what? it is exactly like that - except that it is made by airasia, one of our favourite lowcosts in asia.
the place looks neat and is just what we were looking for: a simple, chic and clean room to sleep without all the fancy stuff that we won’t use. i’ll let you know how it goes. :)
image by lynac on flickr.
