The Famous Mr. Low

  Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
Sunday, February 11, 2007

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Watch this episode here.

Our first stop in Malaysia is an island in the north-west called Penang- a short ferry ride from our train stop at Butterworth. The island- and the country in general- is an eclectic mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures all smushed together.

Without a guidebook to illuminate our path, we were wandering blind. We finally latched on to a few British chaps on the ferry, and followed their lead towards Chinatown. Under the blazing Malaysian sun and through the unforgiving heat, we arrived at 75 Guesthouse. Foregoing our own bathroom and aircon, we bargained down the price. We became quickly enamored with the hostel manager: Mr. Low. A cartoonist could not have created a more stereotypical character, and we relish in the opportunity to share this one man gem with you in this episode.

Dinner and drinks ensued. Our british companions led us again, this time to a fish and chips style joint known as Soho. The beer was not cheap, but Guinness is a priceless commodity. We debated England's accomplishments with colonization, focusing on the island in which we now occupied, as well as to the merits of the band The Police. They defended the latter with their lives. Our first night ended with a bottle of sake and some dumpling soup from a street vendor. We swapped contact info, and sweat ourselves to sleep.

The next day we wandered aimlessly about, watched monks playing badmitten on the streets, and argued with every book seller in Chinatown over the price of a Lonely Planet guidebook. In the heat of our last battle, we were interrupted by a friendly British gentleman who was in the process of purchasing a new one as well. A few beers, and a few stories later, we found ourselves with a free copy. He was traveling with his wife, and they were on their way to Australia, New Zealand, and finally America. We told them all there was to know about the US, and they told us not to get mugged by transvestites in Vietnam. (Laurich, I gave them your address in LA and promised them a futon if need be. Don't let me down). With our train ride to KL leaving in the evening, we said our goodbyes to Mr. Low, and ferried our way back to town. We met a chess playing Canadian at the station and taught him a few lessons of respect. The train ride was as comfortable as can be and we awoke rested in Kuala Lumpur.

The story of Le Village coming soon...