People

Above and below : Lady selling snacks at entrance to Kampung Baru LRT. Unfortunately I was unable to capture this lady's beautiful smile. Like many people in this part of the world she went all shy on me when I took snaps - and too quick for me when she did smile!! A real character - I had several humorous chats with her in Bahasa Malayu (Malaysian). She's a real star - I'll try and get that smile again if I get the chance!!!
A lovely woman called Shamsun Dalilah Hamid , whom I met at Kampung Baru LRT stations.
For more on this lady see:- http://smartsd.blogspot.com/
Above two photos: two Indonesian sisters who work in my local kedai

Annie, a Chin from Myanmar, who works at my local kedai (coffee shop).

Girl I met coming off RTM train at Kampung Baru

Woman serving at warung at Kampung Baru

Girl at hotel - picture could have been better - but I think the camera was shaking !

Man and woman who repair shoes on Jalan Pasar (opposite market).

He fixed my bum-bag for a few pennies a couple of weeks ago

(the repair was practically invisible).

Woman at Chow Kit market

This Malaysian beauty was waiting opposite Pudu Raya bus station.

Budget Meal

From a buffet selection I had fish,veg, and sweet and sour Pork. Plate of soup free with dish. I also had a glass of 'Teh o Kosong Panas' (Plain hot tea for about 1 ringit 10 cents). Think the meal was about 6 Ringitt (90p - you wouldnt get the rice for that in UK !!). The sweet and sour was really nice - and their fish is always good.

Duck + Curry Laksa Combo

I had a plate of Curry Laksa today (4 Ringit - about 60p). It had tofu pieces, chicken, veg, noodles and some sea food like clams or something (the dark things at centre of dish) ? Very spicey like a curry - I assume it had coconut milk added to it. Along with this dish I had roast duck and rice (4 Ringitt 50 cents). Great combo !! Especially with a bottle of Tiger Beer (or two).

General background here.........

Given some recent demos and riots in KL recently by Malaysian Indians the following news story is worthy of highlighting - it refers to an Malaysian Indian politician murdered (shot) in the lift of his local party HQ yesterday. So far the media has played down any possible connection with the riots (it should be pointed out that he was a member of the MIC - the Indian section of the governing coalition - perhaps some people considered him a 'lacky' and 'sold out' Indian interests (that's simply speculation)? I thought his death would have sparked off some 'trouble' - (not realising at the time his party was part of governing coalition) but it seems things are not as simple as that.........Politicians ocassionally get murdered here in mysterious circumstances with no apparent explanations. Of course it could have been over anything - robbery/extortion/gangs ? So far I haven't come across any demos or riots........

http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=20481

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/1/12/nation/19992206&sec=nation

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080111/india_nm/india313552;_ylt=A0oGk5tkcohHykoB10ZLBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTFjYTBtOWhqBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMTIEY29sbwNzazEEdnRpZANVSzAyNjVfMjY1BGwDV1Mx

For background to riots see:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7178709.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7176323.stm

Leech Oil

I came across a man selling oil made from leeches today outside Pudu Market. As you don't see leeches everyday I thought I'd take some photos. The advert describes the aphrodisiac properties of the oil made from the leeches.

It never rains but it ......

Yesterday 9th January - Jalan Pudu about 5pm

Nasi Lemak anyone ????

Tonight the Indonesian woman at my local warung was frying 'kacang' - peanuts - an essential ingredient of Nasi Lemak. The previous night she was frying another ingredient of this dish......

Above: - the previous night.....

At my local Muslim Warung (food stall) I caught the Indonesian woman at midnight deep frying Ikan Bilis (anchovies) for Nasi Lemak. These little fish are essential ingredient for this popular dish - though I was suprised she cooked about 5kg of them in batches. I can't imagine how many Nasi Lemak they must sell - their shift works till 7am.

For more info see:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikan_bilis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasi_Lemak