Exploring the ethnic enclaves in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
My hobby is collecting secret places in the cities I frequent. On some days, when the sky is deep blue, and if some little kid or lovely people smile at me, I feel magnanimous, and reveal my secrets to the folks around me.
Last Sunday, I shared some of the ethnic enclaves in Kuala Lumpur with a colourful bunch — some residents and some travelers. We went to a Burmese place, where ladies in thanaka and lyongi served us tea and mohinga. Next we climbed up a narrow staircase past a Rambo Supermart (perhaps they sell supplies to take over a small country) for some Nepalese momo. For desserts, we explored the Filipino enclave for halo halo. The survivors of this intrepid trek ended up at what is probably the cheapest and most colourful watering hole in KL. Next time I am in KL, I will reveal the only Cambodian cafe in the city. Come if you are keen, ours is not a caravan of despair.
Some of the locals felt happy that they joined. They said they used to feel nervous going to the enclaves - the fear of the unknown, and also not sure what to order and how to eat. They were surprised at the welcome we got at the Burmese and Nepalese places. They made space for us so that we could be seated contiguously. They recommended food that we could try and even got us to try some of their food. They were happy that local Malaysians and foreigners wanted to try their cuisine.
My first exploration trek around this area is here: Little Burma in KL
Earlier, I was in Saigon, yet another city that is full of secret places. I met some more lovers of leaving, and talked about getting lost in far away lands.
And in Djakarta, I miss the conversations in the park.
One of my Jakarta meet regulars is cute. She was planning on traveling into the Indonesian hinterland with her foreign boyfriend and she was worried that the hotel may not let them stay together. She was asking me how to give the impression they are a married couple. I replied “keep arguing and scolding your boyfriend”
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