K L

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This is the street in Kuala Lumpur outside my hotel and a happening place it is too.  Lots of food stalls where some good dining was had.  Lets start with satay at one stand, move on to pork noodle soup at another followed up with a banana pancake with ice cream at yet another.  Repeat tomorrow with clay pot chicken rice as the main dish.

This is me prepared to tour the Grand National Mosque.  Apparently heretics wearing shorts are not so readily accepted, and so I got to wear the women's garb -- which was given to all women not in full regalia.  Other shorts wearing Chinese men got to wear this too.  It is hot and uncomfortable (so now you know) and I opened it much as you would an overcoat -- the simile is intended - and was promptly re-wrpaed by a nice lady explaining the need for cover.

Here is the next door Islamic Art museum.  There was a recording of some famous Egyptian reading the Quran playing in the background - showed the Arabic and English if you wished to follow along.  He was reading in a singing fashion.

Next stop on the tour was the City Central Park and St. Mary's Cathedral was right at the bus stop.  As I was getting off the bus, I heard church bells, walked over to the Cathedral and heard singing - "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" -- sounded nice too -- and then a priest came out followed by a casket.  Being a little quick on the uptake I figured the Cathedral was not open at that moment for tourists, so I backed up a bit.  Whoever was recently deceased had a lot of Indian friends -- and if I am guessing right, the family was Indian too.

Also on the City square was this government office building.  Yes sir re bob, this is what a government office building ought to look like, something with a little class and style.  Nothing like that rather shabby looking 401 Oberlin I worked in so many years.  (Patt has reported that the City Planning Commission approved a plan to tear down that building and put up new stuff on the site.  About time too.)

speaking of office buildings, here I am, sans robe, under one of the two Petronas Towers.

At one time the worlds tallest building, now only number three I think. behind one in Taipei and the tall one being built in Abu Dhabi.

this street is accessible from the back entrance to my hotel.  As I said this place has a lot happening.

In keeping with diversity day, I went to this Hindu Temple just a block or two away after the tour.  Now keep in mind that I am in China town, and this is some famous Indian Hindu temple.  This place does diversity very very well.  Any rate, they are not burying anyone today, but did have full chanting, and playing of very Indian sounding -duh - temple music instruments.  

The musicians - and one of the chanters or priests.

tomorrow is travel day . and looking forward to it.