Following a friend’s recommendation all Lawrences went out exploring yesterday evening, in search of a sunset. It is rare in Kuala Lumpur for there to be clear, cloudless blue skies and so the past few days have been really rather nice. One of the best locations to enjoy sunsets we had been recently told was at Ampang Lookout, about 30 km away from our place.
A brief internet search soon showed that the official Ampang Lookout had been closed down more than two years ago for an unspecified reason, and as we drove past the official entrance it was clear that the authorities did not want anyone to enjoy sunset from that particular lookout. Large rocks had been placed across the former car park and very large metal gates had been erected. Demonstrating that we had been in Asia for several years now Edwin suggested “Let’s ignore the gates and just go round them anyway, Dad.” However these were pretty mean looking gates and there was absolutely no-one there breaking the rules as is often the case in many places.
So instead we followed the advice we had been given and drove on, slightly downhill for about another kilometre to find a bend in the road and a super view across the sprawling, high-skylined city that is Kuala Lumpur. Sunset had not yet started officially but several traders were putting out tables and chairs as well as setting up cooking equipment ready for the early evening, relaxed rush. We found a parking space easily and as the place slowly filled up with people and their smart-phones and selfie sticks we sipped our drinks and enjoyed being out in the coolish open air and blue skies.
Yes it was an unofficial lookout but it was a lookout in many other senses of the word. Because we were on the side of a hill we had to look out and make sure that we did did not trip up on the man made slope flattening and storm drain coverings that were in practical places but offered the opportunity for anyone not looking out to trip over. We also had to look out as we soon became part of one of the most unsubtle ways in which to photograph oneself and family with the funny looking foreigners. The children swiftly downed their iced milos and I devoured a really good teh tarik and we became increasingly aware of an Auntie-aged lady pushing a small girl closer and closer to where Trixie and Rupert were seated. The Auntie began snapping away merrily while trying not to look like she was really taking pictures of us lot. She then sought to try to get more of her party in the picture. I am sure that she would have set up an entire group shot if I had not, politely said, “Thank you, enough.” There are a lot of non Malaysians working and living in Kuala Lumpur so a non-Malaysian is a common sight. Hence me wondering why people want to take photos with complete strangers? The non-Malaysian is a common sight here. A few years ago we were a major tourist attraction in China as there were five of us in a family but here in Kuala Lumpur it is very rare. I really don’t get it.
I did have to look out earlier today at school when I found myself going around the primary area of school near break time. I heard a small squeal and then sensed an enormous cuddle. Early in the year, when I did a bit of teaching with year twos, I got quite a lot of hugs when I went past that classroom, most probably to make up for the fact that one of the class poo-ed during one Drama lesson. However this cuddle was a proper one. I looked down and saw a small grinning Trixie. Many people ask what it is like having your own kids in the school that I work in. I spent a year teaching Edwin, taught Rupert for one lesson and have now taught Trixie on several occasions this year and can safely say that having your own kids in school has worked and is still working well for me, especially when cuddles come my way.