One week and counting - I'm adjusting to the heat (slowly but surely) and getting fat off the delicious food (as well as the not so healthy Oreo's, which live a few shops down). Tomorrow is my last day here in Seremban, but I feel like we've packed a year's worth of visiting and travel into a ridiculously short time span.
Following the traditional tourist route, we've been to Kuala Lumpur (KL) and seen the Petronas Towers, as well as various mosques. What sticks out most was the sudden rush of people - Malaysia's 54th Independence Day saw everyone out on the streets, and 'the white people' were cause for amusement and wonder. Really, we should have started charging them - Mya literally got mobbed, with various people groping her at will, and Geordam standing in the corner laughing.
We've also been to Batu Caves, where following my tradition, I managed to lose my group and ended up wondering around the temples, happy as a clam with no shoes, while the others searched for me. True to form, I didn't have my phone with me either. The elephant sanctuary has probably been the best part of the week - we were allowed to feed, ride and help wash them, and ended up taking a few showers of our own when they decided they'd had enough! Crazily, elephant's in captivity need 100-150 litres of water because of their diet, although I wouldn't want to drink the water we were swimming in.
Yesterday was pretty relaxed - all of us girls bought Baju Kurung's, traditional Malay oufits, as we had (finally) been informed that we were heading to a wedding the next day (actually an engagement). I headed out to a Hash Run with the guys, where we promptly got lost, as the man who had laid the track had failed to inform anyone that it was in a figure of 9, and thus we should return the way we came. Everyone ended up getting pick up off the highway, including 3 Canadian children, aged 10, 7 and 6. Unfortunately, they were probably fitter than all of us Outward Bound lot combined. Then again, I claim a reprieve - a vicious tree attacked me, leaving me reeling from the blow, and blood streaming from my head (I exaggerate).
Today was certainly our most official day. Dressed up, make-up done, hair straightened, we headed to the Chief Minister of Negeri Sembilan's Open House Hari Raya, where we were treated to the silver service, Chris being an in-law. The King of Negeri Sembilan also came, proceeding stately as the paparazzi flooded the area. 'Foreigners!' He cried as he passed us by. 'American?' Shocked as I was by the prescence of royalty, I still had enough in me to correct him. While he didn't seem to mind that, I forgot the important point as we were leaving - don't turn your back on the King.
For those of you worried, it was fine. I may have simply confirmed the point of ignorant foreigners, but I gave them a laugh at least! Anyhow, we later attended Chris' work colleague's daughter's engagement party. No, we didn't know her. We brought nothing, ate their food, and took pictures. Strangely, they seemed pretty happy with this. Seriously, Malay people must be some of the nicest in the world - we've been fed so many times over the last week, and welcomed warmly, despite never having met them before.
Considering the time, I should probably venture forth into the world. We're eating dinner soon enough, and then...well, to the bar I suppose. I still don't like beer. And unfortunately, the quest of the year appears to be to get me drunk. This can not end well.
Jumpa Lagi!
Emily
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