Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Ok, just got back from 8 days of R&R. We had a fabulous time! We wanted to get away to somewhere a bit tropical and we feel we chose just the right country. Rich in Muslim culture but progressive enough that their shopping is one of their biggest highlights in the city. But outside the city... that's another story. We stayed only 3 days in the city and headed for 5 days to place called Langkawi Island in the northwest region of Malaysia proper. Langkawi is Malaysia's biggest tourist destination. We found during our time there that majority of foreign tourist come all the way from Finland! But we also found it to be the most international makeup of tourist we've ever been to. In fact, Americans were very hard to see. We were probably only the one's there. But we loved it nonetheless!

More pictures you ask? Follow these links:

Kuala Lumpur City sights
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=154835&id=593331059&l=d3cf96a87e

and

Langkawi Island
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=154840&id=593331059&l=d80ea2f707

Enjoy!

I'm doing a terrible job...

... of keeping up with this blog of ours. Bear with me folks. But if you want more recent updates, try visiting our Facebook pages on the "Links" just left of this page. I'm also contemplating creating a Twitter account?? Seems to be a much easier way to let you all in on what's happening to me/us moment by moment. Chime in if any of you feel this would be good?? But I'll try to be a better web blogger than I am now.

Anyways, Mimi just got back from Pondichery, an old French enclave a couple of hours south of Chennai. I on the other hand, just returned from Kerala in the southwest side of India. T'was a long train journey but very worthwhile. Seriously, for those on the Big Island, it totally reminded me of Hilo side... wet, green, lush, and beautiful mountain landscapes. Check out a few pics I uploaded on my FB link below left.

Ok, so Mimi has a one week break coming up. We're now making plans to visit Malaysia... they have the closest thing to islands in a place called Langkawi. It'll be our much needed island getaway to get refreshed from all the traffic and pollution of Chennai. We love it here in the city but... we're getting "island fevah" except we want to GO TO the islands! Yes, you all know exactly what we mean ;)

A'right folks, that's all for now... a hui hou!

Sunrise @ Marina Beach

Had to get up 4am to get these shots... for more pics check out my FB page!

Day to day life in Chennai

Ok, thought I'd finally settle down and give you all a little glimpse into our day to day life so far:

Mimi goes to school every morning about 7:30. Of course, I'm her hired driver (since it's common to have a hired driver here) and basically take her to school on HER motorcycle from Monday thru Friday. Then I get back to our apartment and spend some "quality time" with myself before heading out to photography class around 10am. I've been getting out of class around 4sh from there pick up Mimi at the end of her work day. Somewhere either in the early morning or the late afternoon we try to get some exercise in. It either comes in the form of swimming laps at the international school pool or playing volleyball with student players and fellow adult school staffs. The school, by the way, has some pretty decent facilities we are allowed to use after hours (ie. gymnasium, workout room, pool, tennis court, etc.) These are some nice fringe benefits!

When it comes to dinner here in Chennai, it can get a little getting used to. Don't get us wrong, we LOVE the food here! But the typical Chennaiite family eats dinner between the hours of 7pm to midnight! So most food places won't begin serving dinner until after 7pm. And we notice many don't start arriving until closer to 8 or 9pm. It's challenging for us western folk because we're so use to eating early in the evening. And Mimi typically likes to end her night and head to bed by about 9pm. Early to rise right?!

But we're slowly adapting an learning a lot, and enjoying every moment living here. Also, we're realizing first-hand about a lot of our misconceptions about India and it's people. It's a rewarding experience discovering the various elements that make up such a diverse and unique people group...something most of us can't fully understand until we encounter it face to face ourselves.

A hui hou!

Mimi's Motorcycle!

Yup, this is her bike! It's registered under her name since she is the one registered with an Indian "resident permit". So this will be our main mode of transportation while here. Yes, driving in Chennai traffic can be a harrowing experience. And there have been a few close calls. But as I like to put it, India operates in "organized chaos". Every driver knows where and how they're supposed to drive and of course, the use of a horn is mandatory as it's a form of communication between all drivers on the road. In case some of you are curious, this is only a 200cc bike. It's actually an above average size engine for people here. In the city, you'll never drive more than 40-60kmph.

Apt. Bldg. Security Guard

 

Here's a headshot of one of our security guards in our building. It's one of my first photo assignments I took. Mimi and I absolutely love this guy! He doesn't speak any english but we somehow find a funny way to communicate, and contrary to what he looks like in this pic, he's a very cordial, sweet, and nice old man! Plus, I pay him 200 Rupees a month to clean my motorcycle every morning. That's only about $4 bucks a month! Hey, don't blame me. That's honestly the going rate!

Digital Photography Class

Ok, so I've finally decided what I want to do while I'm here. And for those of you who didn't know, I had voluntarily quit my stable job as a social worker in Hawaii prior to coming here. So, where does this put me? Since Mimi is teaching full time, this leaves me with a lot of time on my hands. And I promised myself I'd steer away from the social service scene as to take at least a year off from doing something I'm always passionate about. And since I'm open to learning new things, why not take a class???

I've always had a desire to see the world through a different lens. So what better way to see India than thru a camera lens! I've joined a digital SLR photography class here in Chennai for the next few months. It's with a Canon Pro Center in the city and has the dubious distinction of being the best there is in Southern India. It's called Ambitions Photography Academy. I'll be taking a 3 month course introducing me to basic digital photography. Having bought a Canon DSLR earlier this year (off of eBay of course), I thought what better way to document our travels than to learn to take fabulous and memorable pictures! There are about 10 students in my class - all come from various places like North East India called Nagaland, another student from the Maldives, Dubai, and of course a few others from right here in South India. Yes, the class is taught in english. Although like Hawaiian pidgen, it does take some getting used to listening to a teacher with an Indian accent. Our instructor is a top notch pro and has been into photography for the past 25 years. 

So, hopefully after taking this class it will bear much fruit and you'll soon be able to see some of the amazing snap shots of what we get to see everyday in this country. Maybe I'll start posting on Flickr or Picasa Web or something? I'll be sure to keep you all updated.