The Everyday - Getting Around (as well as some weekend happenings)

Since returning from spring break, we've stayed pretty low key.  We spend a lot of time on the weekends relaxing by the pool and hanging out with friends, but I will highlight a few happenings from the past month and start sharing some of our regular life experiences.

We celebrated Mother's Day here in our typical fashion by heading out to brunch.  We found a very nice one this year with a fun Mad Hatters theme.

As much as I wish I could spend it celebrating with my mom too, that get-together will have to wait for only a couple more months.

Since we arrived in KL, Anna has been trying out a lot of new sports at her middle school.  This term she is on the softball team and she recently had a tournament so we all went to watch her play.

batter up!

Running Home!

It was brutally hot and humid, and her team won some games and lost some games.  I think Anna has been happy giving softball a try, but it's not a sport that ranks high on her list.

David and I had fun attending a fundraiser ball hosted by the American Association of Malaysia.

We spent the evening with a great group of friends and enjoyed getting dressed up for a night.  Ok, maybe I enjoyed getting dressed up for a night.

Malaysians aren't tall people, so renting a tux was difficult.  David was able to find a jacket to rent that fit well enough, but had to have the shirt custom made, and he purchased a bow-tie. Pants and shoes came out of his closet. Voila!

speed racer

We finally got around to checking out the Petrosains Science Museum in the Petronas Twin Towers.

Not knowing what to expect, we were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed an afternoon of hands on science activities.

taking a little space nap

Anna the astronaut 

Hurricane winds

While we were attempting to spin the Mega Wheel, I noticed many of the people working there were pulling back the blinds and looking out the window.  I had to take a look myself and was surprised by the crowds of people walking down the streets and assembling out front.

Malaysia has just introduced GST (goods and services tax) of 6% which started April 1st.  This was an anti-GST rally that was hoping to be one million strong.  The newspaper estimated there were 15,000 that actually participated.

The police weren't taking any chances and had completely blocked off the front entry to the towers. Thankfully, the rally stayed peaceful.

I thought I would start sharing some of what goes on in or our day-to-day lives with a series called "the everyday."  It's all of the small stuff that makes up our experience here and although these things may seem mundane and everyday to us now,  I think you may find them interesting.

As I have said before, we don't have a car.  I don't know of many expat families that don't. In fact, I can only think of three others, but we seem to be making it work.  We picked a convenient location downtown and are in walking distance to most necessities.  David walks to work and I walk to appointments, grocery stores, shopping malls, etc.  The schools are not nearby, so thankfully there are school busses. There are even busses to take them home from most after school activities.

Driving is a bit nutty around here since the road rules seem to be optional. It's a good thing that when the driving gets crazy on the city streets there is usually a lot of traffic, so speeds are slow.

Here is an intersection a block away from our condo, mid-day when the coast is clear.

Here is the same intersection during Friday rush hour.  Notice all of the cars are at different angles and there is one car trying to head the opposite direction.  Lanes? What lanes? Traffic lights?  Do they mean something?  No rhyme or reason, just push your nose through however you can and best of luck.  Let's just say we avoid this intersection at all costs during this time of night. But wait! Then you add the hundreds of motorbikes that take to the streets.  They abide by no rules, create their own lanes, swerve in and out of traffic and sometimes just go the wrong way.

By the time the light turns green the motor bikes have weaved their way to the front to make a quick get away.  If you notice in the photo above, a lot of the bikers wear their jackets the the opening at the back.  I've been told that the reason is for ease of getting it on and off.  They also don't inflate with air when they are backwards.

too close for comfort

This photo was taken right outside our condo while I was waiting for the bus that pulls up to this curb.  Not only are these motorbikes driving down the wrong side of the road, this guy is even looking at his phone!  (Yes, we drive on the left side of the road here.)  We have seen three motorcycle accidents in recent weeks from our condo windows.  Two of which resulted in the biker being taken away in an ambulance.

How do we get around if we are not walking?  Either generous friends or one of the many taxis.

Most of the time we call a red "budget" taxi like the one above.  Budget taxis are very inexpensive, but they run the gamut of automobile quality.  Some we get are nice and new, while others are barely holding themselves together and we spend our time hoping that we are actually going to make it to our destination.  Another option is the blue executive taxi.

The blue taxi's are nicer, newer, larger automobiles with English speaking drivers, but you definitely pay a premium.  Uber has also been introduced to KL, but we haven't gone that route yet.

Although I have been known to stand on the median and wave like a crazy woman in order to get a taxi from whatever direction it's going, I thankfully don't have to do that very often.  For most situations we use the MyTeksi app.  Plug in your location and destination, drivers bid, and one is assigned.

Once a taxi is assigned we are sent the driver's name and tag number and we can follow on a map to see where they are.  It is really quite painless.  Certainly, this is not without its issues.  During certain times of the day, Friday rush hour for example, we may not have any bidders.  Same if its raining and traffic is bad in the direction you want to go.  Drivers never want to head into a "jam." In that case we start offering hefty tips and if all else fails, we walk.  For as many taxis as we have taken, the majority of our taxi experiences have been just fine.

Walking around the city is a piece of cake.  However, there are two things we have to be careful of.

#1.... Purse snatchers.  These guys have been known to snatch on foot, but what I hear of more often is they snatch as they drive by on their motorbike.  Sometimes the bags are cut, but many times they are yanked which can then result in personal injury.  Instead of putting myself at risk, I choose not to carry a purse at all.  I either put my money and phone in a wristlet which I carry in my hand, or most of the time I just put items in my pockets.  I have a small zipper pouch with my money in one front pocket, my phone in the other, and then my keys/elevator card in the back, which then results in an abbreviated version of the Macarena when I get get out of taxis, restaurant booths, etc. to make sure all items are still in their places.

#2... Obstacles.  Many sidewalks are nice and new, but then there are others where if you take your eyes off the path for a second you can end up tripping,

 or worse...

...falling down a whole.  We just always need to be aware of what lies ahead....or below at all times.

There are also busses and trains.  I have not been tempted to get on a city bus, but the train is nice, as well as very inexpensive.  We just don't have that much of a need to take one.

To end with a pretty picture, this is what I walk past many times a week on my way through the park.


All in all, it is quite nice to be able to walk to most locations.  It is weird not having a car, but also nice to not have to find parking or navigate the streets.  It's not perfect, but its how we are living.  One small part of our large adventure.