Hari Natal di Malaysia

Merry Christmas!

1 - Christmas in KLCC

It doesn't feel the same here, though it is impossible to walk through the city without being inundated by caroling school groups and wreath displays. KL is literally swimming in Christmas. Everyone loves it - Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists included. Our Bahasa teachers George and Pearly, who are Chinese Buddhist, said they would go to church last night because "it's fun." George and Pearly, who likely have never picked up a Bible, go to Church just as often as many "Christians."

Is contemporary Christmas a religious holiday? It's a mostly secular affair here, for obvious reasons (although as several of our speakers have pointed out, Muslims acknowledge Jesus as a prophet of God). Yet it is celebrated here with pretty much the same trappings as home. Take those away, and what's left? I guess it's different for everyone.

2 - Christmas in KLCC

Last night, to celebrate, we went to the KLCC aquarium, on the other side of the KLCC garden and track. The complex is entirely underground. My favorites were the frogs and mantises camouflaged as fallen leaves. Also very cool were the sharks which were covered in parasite fish. Two other things stick out in my mind from the aquarium. In the last tank, the aquarium had dropped in a plastic Christmas tree. I never thought a plastic tree could wither, but this one was dying. I don't know if fish can be depressed, but I know I would be if I were swimming circles around that thing all day. But as we left, the aquarium staff sang "Jingle Bells."

Merry Christmas.

3 - Christmas in KLCC

Now Reading: The Right Nation: Why America is Different by John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge

4 - Christmas in KLCC

5 - Christmas in KLCC

6 - Christmas at Ampang Park