Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE
And is there a better reason for having a Public Holiday than celebrating what would have been his 1443rd birthday? It does feel a little bizarre to be having a day off on a Thursday and then go back to work for one day on a Friday, but who am I to say no to a day off?
Today’s day off action, with Pat and David, affectionately known as Lord and Lady Brigg, saw Lawrences and Their Worships tackling the centre of Kuala Lumpur in full tourist mode. Having checked that we had the requisite amount of pocket money carefully stowed deep in our pockets to avoid petty thieves we departed from Kepong station and were on our way. Clearly we made sure that we followed all the required rules of travel on the train: we bought our tickets, ate nothing while in transit and did our best not to commit any acts of indecent behaviour. Thinks: what would the train guard do if we did commit any acts of indecent behaviour on the train?
Getting off the train at Kuala Lumpur station we made for Chinatown and lunch at The Platinum Restaurant of Petaling Street. We had munched there a couple of times previously, once, most memorably with my school. It serves good value and tasty fresh Chinese food, including real pork, and is always busy – another good sign. The fish that the place serves are clearly very fresh as they swim around in tanks prior to serving.
After lunch we set about buying tourist stuff from the various stalls and hawkers. Outside every stall a vendor was standing trying to attract our attention to their various wares and to persuade us that we really did need to buy their handbags, watches, sun glasses, Hello Kitty rubbish or chestnuts. David quickly completed his souvenir buying: three fridge magnets for RM10. Rupert managed to find, of all things, a Mr Bean teddy that he took to and got a good price for. Edwin and I then took the plunge and responded to a bloke who was trying to sell us football shirts. Edwin had his eyes on a new Barcelona shirt while I wanted to buy shirts for a gang of Wolverhampton five-a-side footballers who I used to play with. The vendor tried to show me numerous potential shirts and sizes but experience told me that the price was the thing to get sorted first. He started at RM45 per shirt and this then went down to RM35 and he got very excited when I asked for five shirts. I then offered RM100 for the five shirts and stuck to my guns for a few moments, and won! I am now the proud owner of five XL Malaysia football shirts that will soon find their way to footie mates. Edwin is delighted with his Barcelona shirt, which included shorts, for RM25. The only problem with haggling though is that I wonder now whether I could have got six shirts for RM100?
I honour of Muhammed’s big day there were several blokes standing around near to the Central Market handing out flyers and pamphlets encouraging us passers by to convert to Islam. Curiously they were offering joining inducements in the form of Subway cookies, bottles of fruit perfume and cakes. Should other world religions follow this lead to attempt to influence potential joiners thanks to the giving of unctions and sweetmeats?
PS I have enjoyed a cold lager this evening, but did not raise my glass to Muhammed as I knew he would not appreciate the gesture. Happy birthday to him though and thanks for the day off.