Second World Cusping On First And A Half
January 6th 2015 Third world status is slippery to define. There's probably an official line of thinking centred around GDP, literacy rates and costs of living v average incomes. But as a layperson I run off a few more overt though less tangible stats.
My last visit to Kuala Lumpur was way back in 1994. In that era I had Malaysia firmly planted in the third World. Yet simultaneously it boasted enough green shoo
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taracloud
Tara Cloud
Love the juxtapositions (always my fave)!
How great that there's something for everyone! I hope the wild, crusty streets of Jalan Alor never disappear though a proper sewage system is always a plus. Glad that Melacca's charm remained intact under the upgrades though I'm sure lots of Chinese who roots go back generations have been displaced--ah, that sweet/sour gentrification. On the other hand, though I poo-poo the upscale, commercial malls, I can imagine heading there for a film in an air-conditioned theater some hot day. And I'm thrilled that even poor people can drink the water, even if it's too-chlorinated for some tastes. Excellent photos!