Learning Bahasa Malayu

Lesson 1: Umpana anjing makan muntahnya.
That means a stingy person. Actually the literal translation is much better; a dog that eats what it has vomited.

I said goodbye to my new friend Jayce, an Aussie who has been in KL for a year. He introduced me to some good Malay food, and we went out for a few beers. After paying $2 for meals and $3 for 15 minute cab fares, $15 for a jug of beer really hurts. I mean, I wouldn't eat my own vomit but I will definitely be changing my drinking habits.

So I finally left KL and for my new home in Johor Bahru. I was expecting a typical Malay bus with smoke billowing out, stuff falling from the roof and a crazy driver, but it was actually a very comfy big coach. Good thing too, because it was not a paticularly interesting 5 hour ride. Palm tree plantations are EVERYWHERE, and the Malays will not hesitate to let you know how good palm oil is for you. It seems to be their national treasure. I had barely walked off the bus when I was pounced on by very pushy hecklers trying to sell me tickets to KL! I just came from there but they somehow thought they would be able to convince me that I immediately needed to go back. Not a good omen for Johor Bahru.

The top photo from my new level 19 apartment at night and this one is the view to Singapore at sunset. Awesome view but a looong lift ride. I can actually see Singapore from my balcony, which is kind of cool but really frustrating at the same time. The amazingly inefficient Malaysian Immigration have decided they need my passport for 6 weeks to process the visa, so I can't travel the 2 kms into Singapore until they give it back. Worse for my study buddy Elroy who can't even visit his wife and kids in Singapore! He took me to an awesome Chinese eating house where they serve dear meet. It said that on the menu, dear meet. Luckily they cooked soooo much better than they spoke english. The deep fried buttered crayfish was good enough to ignore the dog-sized rat that ran under the table.

At the moment I am spending my days in a Bahasa Malayu class. I thought learning the anatomy of the body in English was a mission and now I am learning it in Malaysian, and that was the first day! Pretty heavy, but I am enjoying it. I never forget I am in a muslim country though. I get woken up by the muslim prayer time being blasted across the city through loud speakers and our uni building is right next to the islamic court house. I took a short cut through there today wearing thongs, a singlet and bright boardies. The security gaurds looked at me a little strange when I walked out and they were waiting for me when I came back again. "You can't walk here" they said in bad english. "Boleh, boleh" I replied in bad malay. It means "yes I can, yes I can" but the gaurd's face went instantly from a friendly smile to a death stare, so I left. At least my malay guru Mr Ghazali would have been proud.

Well, not much else to report yet. I am off to buy a pushy so I can get around this city a bit easier. Hopefully I will have some more interesting stories then. If anyone feels compelled to send me some vegemite here is my postal address:

19-05 Pangsapuri Sri Samudera
Jalan Mamodiah
80100 Johor Bahru
Johor Darul Takzim
Malaysia

Only two and a half weeks until my real stint in this 200 year old hospital starts. Oh no.

Selamat malam, Sam.