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Published: November 18th 2011
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You know that moment when you wake up in a Muslim country, and you realise all of a sudden that the clothes you're wearing may not be appropriate? Never mind the rest of what's in your suitcase? That happened to me the other day.
It's really not like me to travel without doing a lot of research and preparation beforehand, but this was different. I was travelling for work, I knew I was going to be picked up at the airport and taken straight to the hotel, and knew I'd be in training for the first three days before I'd get the chance to really get out and explore Kuala Lumpur. Not great excuses I know...
So, despite the well above 30°C humidity, I threw my long cardigan over my singlet top, just on the offchance I offended anyone with my bare shoulders. The first day was just registration in the morning so as I wandered around the hotel getting myself organised, I kept my eyes peeled for what other women were wearing. There were a lot of knee length skirts and heels but not a single naked shoulder in sight.
Once I'd managed to get internet access
from my room, I did a quick Google search to try to get answers, but only found very mixed and contradictory information that didn't help very much at all. Finally, after half a day of wandering around, overheating in my cardigan, I saw a woman in the lobby in a short, sleeveless dress and tore off the ridiculously inappropriate top!
Work The hotel we were in was 45 minutes from the city, so for the first few days I didn't really get the chance to see much except for when we went out at night for dinner as a group, which was always really nice. The training was for everyone across APAC so I got the chance to meet a lot of people from a lot of different countries in a short space of time, which was really interesting.
The only thing that worried me a little was that on more than one occasion, when I told a local my plans to discover the city on my free day on Friday, they all replied with, "What... alone?"
But enough people assured me there was nothing for me to worry about, as long as I kept my wits
about me and didn't walk around with my 'boobs out'.
Play After the three long days of training were finished, I went into China Town on Thursday night to visit the markets with one of the other people from the course. I was so excited to finally be out and about - and I wasn't disappointed!
It was exactly as I'd imagined. Busy, loud, colourful, noisy, full of people, food, and cheap clothes. I felt like my eyes were having a mini seizure, flitting around in my head trying to take it all in. I couldn't stop smiling it was just so vibrant and exciting, I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it. And I never thought I'd be able to barter, but once I got the hang of it, it was so much fun!
The next day was my free day, and I'd organised to spend the whole day in the city before heading home. One of the Malaysians had very kindly organised a taxi driver for me, who picked me up from the hotel, looked after my bags for the day (after me making them promise me he was trustworthy), then pick me
up at the end of the day in the city to take me to the airport. The thing is, in Malaysia the taxi drivers aren't always super trustworthy, so a number of people have a dedicated driver that they always use. The driver wouldn't have done anything dodgy because this would have meant he'd lose his regular customer and her whole network, so it was really safe.
In the city I just walked around, and then came across a 'Hop on Hop Off' bus tour, which was perfect. It allowed me to really easily and safely get around the city, see everything I wanted to see and get off whenever I wanted.
I didn't have time to get off and explore every part of the city I wanted to see, but it was so great to still be able to see everything from the bus an bookmark areas for me to visit next time I'm in Malaysia.
Because there will be a next time. I can't wait to go back and see everything properly. In Malaysia and other parts of Aisa too. This little taste of a holiday has reignited my travel bug and I am so
Street food
This is what I loved most - people cooking on the street everywhere, people eating outside. So much life! excited to start exploring the world again!
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