Day 4.

After a somewhat traumatic flight, spent predominantly on the floor of the plane puking and fainting, I have enjoyed getting settled in to life in KL. It’s hectic, humid and humble.  The people are wonderfully friendly.  The food is painfully spicy. The city is incredibly cosmopolitan and surprisingly advanced, with a huge Western influence.  On Saturday we went to the cinema and people laughed, clapped and whooped.  One boy in the front row even let out a ‘Phwarrrr’ when the lead girl started dancing.

It is currently Ramadan, and many locals fast during the day. We had dinner in the food court on Sunday, joining tables of Muslims sat in front of plates of food, waiting for dusk to start their meal.

As for living – I have a lovely new Iranian housemate and acting-guide, Sepideh.  Our apartment is very spacious and clean, with an amazing view of the city.  Sepideh has been so friendly showing me around the city and helping me to settle in.  Yesterday Sophie (the other Brit joining IBM MY) and I went for dinner with two of Sepidehs friends, Amir and Ghazaleh, at Jalan Alor, a bustling Malaysian street selling all sorts of Asian foods.  Below are some photos from our evening.

Dinner at Jalan Alor.

Local fruits from a stall in Jalan Alor. Lychees.

 Swimming pool on the 36th floor of Amir’s flat.

Tomorrow I am journeying to the office to meet my team. I'm very excited to meet them, and a tad nervous about the language differences. Whilst people here mostly speak very good English, I really struggle to hear and remember names correctly. I don't want to look rude! Updates on this trip and other adventures will follow.  I miss everyone at home so much, but I am settling in well with great thanks to Sepideh. So please don’t worry. Keep in touch.