Trip

4/5/02 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Phillip)

4/5/02 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Phillip)

Two journals in two days, what's going on here? I just wanted to add some details because I had a crazy time last night. Eventually I met up with the two (now lovely and not insane) Irish girls, Sinead and Mel (Imelda). After dinner we went for a drink or two at a bar. After the bar had closed we sat outside and spoke to the employees but some of the conversations were a bit interesting. Started out with a Swiss guy and I debating America. The pattern I've been seeing is that many young Europeans have a terrible dislike for America, this guy was no different. Conversation was a few hours long and even switched to French (yes, I debated in French) for a while. I had a very similar conversation with a German guy two weeks ago but this guy was far better educated. He had been hitchhiking around the world (started outside his door in Switzerland) for years now. All over Africa
and Asia, crazy. However, he really had a strong hatred for America and all things American. Now you know me, I love to argue so I couldn't pass up this opportunity. Really I think all Western countries (and Eastern also to a different degree) have a lot to answer for, particularly in regards to developing countries, but I don't agree that one country has caused all this. I don't think he was too chuffed when I suggested that UBS (United bank of Switzerland) was a leading beneficiary from both the Congo diamonds (his favorite example of America abusing the poor) and laundering the WWII moneys from Germany. It was a great discussion though; I really love hearing the different perspectives that you normally are sheltered from. The Swiss guy eventually shook my hand and talked about respect and then a Hindu guy took up arms. He wasn't anti-American though, in fact quite the opposite, but we spent the entire two hours discussing the differing perspectives of East vs. West in regards to Muslim extremists. That's probably the one discussion you're not supposed to have in Malaysia, but what the heck :)

One of the locals also pointed out the misperceptions of Malaysia from the West. What major city in America could you safely have that debate at 5am in the morning on a downtown street corner without the police moving you along. I was amazed at how safe the city was at this hour, we're definitely not in the best neighborhood but no one even batted an eyelid. Even walking home at 6 or 7am by myself I felt totally safe. Malaysia is certainly not what I expected it to be, it does share some traits with Bangkok mainly the fake Rolex's and pirated software!

Still haven’t got a hold of Jamie so I'll work on that this weekend.

Hope all is well for you.

Posted by Admin at April 5, 2002 12:43 AM