Trip Update

We left Melbourne really late Wednesday night, or was that early Thursday morning? 2.40am  is a strange time to board -and then you get served breakfast; or is that dinner?

We arrived in Kuala Lumpur about mid Thursday morning and ended up having the afternoon and next morning to look around. With specials that Emirates and Etihad had at the time,  worked out more economical to break the trip. It was nice to look around and get a quick dose of 30 plus degrees tropical heat before braving an English summer!

We took a spin on the monorail, we walked, looked, had food and generally took in the 'vibe'.

This place (above) struck me as an interesting name and advertising slogan. 

In the late afternoon, Caity and I went wondering off down one of the smaller side roads. We  noticed it was quite a run down area, with a number of derelict houses and some others with names and silhouettes painted on the doors that suggested a more risqué precinct. Then right there in the midst of all this we noticed the sign (above picture). Well! Well! You never can tell.

 

I find the contrasts of our time interesting. Massive and impressive building construction and the latest in technology alongside ageing traditional buildings and the most simple of kerbside food-stalls! The most chic (and daring) of western fashion alongside traditional colourful Hijabs and black coloured Burqas. Men in Keffiyeh and Jellabiya, as well as western suits and ties. The Mosque (blue and white, above) was full for the Friday prayers - as was the chic department store a block away for it's 30% of sale of fashion accessories!
I wonder what will happen over the decades to the global 'village' in which we find ourselves? Will old cultures and traditional ways of living react to the contrasting and diverse imports that modernity brings and retreat into preserving their legacy? Or will all cultures end up assimilating (and being assimilated) so that eventually we all end up in a more homogenised world?