Something that's really blown my hair back is how unbelievably trendy and spunky the Malaysian youth are. I'd say that at least 80% of people ranging from their late teens to late twenties who hang out in Kualar Lumpur force you to look at them for one or other funked-out reason.
Take Dick for instance who I met him on Tuesday night. Our group all had supper in China Town and as we left through the market I ended up chatting to him while waiting for someone to join me - he's a purfect model of what I mean:
Loads of guys wear this type of semi-scruffy, semi-aggro outfit in combo with Manga hairstyles and loads of the girls wear the tiny of tiniest shorts with the highest of high heels while tripsing around shopping centres. Either that or they wear a combo of a stretched out vest over long tops that have no sleeves and leggings.
They wear these either with Manga hairstyles too or long very well-kept hair. There are also those who don't dress up in such a wild way but they have an edge that they carry in their attitude.
The overwhelming sense you get from them all is that they're ultra hip and happening characters from a kickbutt techno game who embrace the 21 century in the hugest way possible and enjoy the idea of bigging up the future together.
Once I'd said goodbye to Dick I left China Town to go to my hotel by monorail - which is the ultimate in transport bombliness. The track runs all the way through the city, about two or three storey's above the road and as you see it whizzing by it gives you a sense of relief - like you know you'll manage to get anywhere no problem.
It runs until 11 or 12 at night so you can hop on and off at any stop right up until this time 'cos it's totally safe to be out and about at night.
As I went along to the mono station there were a crowd of friends trendily going along headed the same way and among them were Janice and Olly:
We started chatting while we walked and within two seconds they'd absorbed me into their group saying I should catch the rail with them and hang out with them - which I did and by the time I got to my station I didn't want to say goodbye.
They were all so cool to be with and the vibe between them was infectious. They were off to a nightclub in the area they stayed in that was two stations away from mine and even invited me along. It was late so I couldn't go with 'cos I wouldn't have been able to get back but I if I had I know it would have been a rip.
It wasn't only their banter and party mood that was so appealing but also their generosity of wanting to make me part of it - which is something that's very noticeble - not only among the youth but with everyone here.
Everyone's so genuinely friendly that you develop a tenderness between you within moments - I don't know how to explain it exactly but it's like everyone's very open to comminucate and be with you.
Even in China Town where everyone's so fierce, once you start bartering and bickering it's like you reach a groovy understanding.
All in all the city's got such a buzzy, all-inclusive feel that makes you feel you're living in a future that's right here and now which the youth in the city seem to spark in a big way.
Here's a pic of the type of shop that caters to funk:
The clothing's not all that pricey either. They have loads of sales and special deals - like two vests for about R45 type thing.
PS: I got myself some of that eyeshadow the dancers were wearing at
Saloma to put on for the king on Saturday. I have nooo clue how it's gonna turn out 'cos eyeshadow always
makes me look like I've been punched but I'm thinking I need to give it a whirl.