Another week draws to a close when that ‘winding down’ and ‘settling in’ feeling signifies the conclusion of the weekend and transition into an another week ahead.
What to say of this week? Well, there was work of course, which brought with it the opportunity and obligation to stay late and meet with parents. Tick ✔️
There was a public holiday and its preceding social occasion, which offered up jollity, sociableness and *dare I say it* dancing. Tick ✔️
Most of all, there has been a transition into calling this place and strange new life, ‘home’. More time was spent nesting. In part, because Wednesday evening’s frivolities insisted on being followed by a thoroughly lazy day at home, which felt glorious! I spent most of the day indoors and in my apartment- barely surfacing until guilt forced me into action, demanding that I visit the gym and then an evening stroll- finished off with a divine lamb cutlet at the recently explored Seppia & Polpo’s, which sits at the foot of our block.
Another reason for this self-imposed homeliness might just be the recent purchase of a guitar, which arrived on Monday. Special mention should go here to the parents and staff of SWP whose generosity and thoughtfulness funded said guitar: thank you. It’s taken pride of place in my little home, which feels so much more complete now. Sorry neighbours…
A further motivating factor may just be that myself and my erstwhile, beloved companions in the Golden Triangle are about to go out separate ways. Briefly. It’s half term next week, so there are various independent adventures that are calling the others abroad: Grace is off to Thailand for a short solo break before meeting a friend in Singapore; and El Daniel is off to Taiwan and Cambodia with his sister and brother in law. All of which leaves me with a much less-full social calendar for the week after this one. I won’t pretend it isn’t disconcerting, because it is a little, but part of the reason I felt brave enough to take on this challenge and fly across the world solo, is that I am generally, and more and more often than not these days, quite good company for myself. So that’s what I’ve been doing. Kind of.
There were of course the near-obligatory Friday evening drinks at the BPP, which thankfully didn’t go on too late but acted as an appropriate acknowledgment that weekend proper was here. An early night led to an early start and breakfast in Bangsar at a delightful cafe with excellent coffee and a kind of post-colonial chic which accompanied the smell of freshly baked croissants perfectly. After a quick (second and final) jab for rabies with El Daniel, I joined Grace for a wander around a mega mall, which more than lived up to its name.
“Just follow it like a snake, one floor at a time,” Grace suggested via WhatsApp while she treated herself to a rather wonderful manicure. She was right, though the effect was almost dizzying. By the time I reached the top and the cinema complex, Grace was ready. A quick stop to check out some sales and we were off in a Grab to nearby Little India for lunch. When they say ‘Little’ they really do mean ‘little’- as in- it appears to take up almost exactly one block.
Felt like the perfect place to have another stab at roti canai, and indeed it was! We found a cafe that was suitably full and which cooked curry in a clay pot, served up with two delicious roti! The curry was a little spicier than I would usually have; that, despite the fact that the waiter had apparently elected to inform the chef to make it ‘less spicy’ upon seeing our collectively naive demeanour.
The rest of the day was spent at home. Back in the UK, I would often spend a Saturday listening to music and cooking; so that’s just what I did here. My small kitchen allows enough room (and pots and pans) for a home cooked steak, which was actually pretty good, though not quite up to the calibre of the lamb chops from earlier in the week, to be honest.
Sundays back home would be roast dinners and a long walk. So…
They say a picture says a thousand words. From these, you can safely assume that it was no easy afternoon stroll. Hot, humid and humbling, it really is a jungle out there, or rather: in the middle of this city. In fact there are a few of them... And some mountains. And they often go together. This one in particular appears to contain within it a lot of paths with dead ends… It was a good job I brought a lot of water! Whinging aside though, it was glorious to get out into nature, especially when the nature itself feels so alien. There were strange noises, cracking trees, the rumbling promise of thunder that thankfully never arrived and- monkeys. Oh, and a waterfall:
By the time I staggered back down the hill, I was drenched in sweat and exhausted but very pleased to have braved another outing. I was also very hungry…
Dinner then, and a chance to take stock. With Daniel and Grace occupied by chores, I chose to revisit the Italian… and it did not disappoint. Way back when, long before this and many other adventures, I used to savour a rather delicious lamb kleftico as made by my good friend and chef Malcom. Tonight’s offering wasn’t as much as a patch on that, as a chance to reminisce in a most delicious way. To remember dear friends, fond memories and experiences and to appreciate them all: the little things that make us feel ourselves. All the while, making the most of each adventure for future memories to come. Bon appetite!