Of sky rises and garbage heaps

My calender indicates that I left Hanoi a mere 10 days ago,  a time span in which I have been fortunate enough to experience the hustle and bustle of HCMC, drive a moto through rain and ocher- coloured mud in Dalat, pay a short visit to Siem Reap and take in the imposing construction works of Hindu and Buddhist kings alike (or rather that of their subjects). Presently I am in Kuala Lumpur obeying my true nature as a fully fledged foodie, trawling lines of hawker stalls, and familiarizing myself with the intricacies of the mamak food culture. It is a thoroughly enjoyable activity I must agree.

The city seems to share a certain likeness with the urban landscape of Dubai, sky rises and luxury malls abundant in the city center. A great array of nationalities populate the streets, from locals to expats to the tourists such as me passing by for a few days.  Having splurged on a more upscale hotel, I and my boyfriend are set up quite nicely, fluffy bed, wireless in-room internet connection, daily newspaper delivered each morning. We walk the streets freely, eat whatever we want when we want, duck into air conditioned temples of consumerism when the heat becomes too much. I guess that’s KL.

From dusk the streets fill with peddlers, parading their ware on plastic tarps lain out on the ground, their children playing nearby. On the pavement the same beggar in the same spot, his face and head turned downwards, arms stretched out, hands forming a cup for good Samaritans to place some ringgits in. Down backstreets and alleys, heaps of garbage piles up, and worn-down housing projects hide from the eyes of most visitors.  KL too. There is also this:

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20090720204545/Article

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