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Friday, September 15, 2023

Gallimaufry#95

Just a gallimaufry of photos 📸

Mother Mary's shrine
I love the uniqueness of this shrine in St. Michael's Church in my hometown. Dedicated to Mother Mary, the shrine has an unmistakable Asian influence in its design, which is very unusual for a Christian church.

Just another manic morning
Despite the frenetic pace of life, Malaysians always find time to have a brekkie in a hawker center before taking on the day's challenges.
Hawker centers are the heart and soul of Malaysian life, and there's always one at every turn and corner. Hawker fare is very affordably priced, and for singles and empty-nesters, it's cheaper to eat out than cook at home.

Can you spot the doggo?
Brekkie
Yellow hibiscus

FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES

Piazza della Repubblica, Florence 2022



Lunch and dinner  congee
Congee is the best remedy when you're feeling under the weather.

Skywatch from my balcony

My Corner of the World

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Gallimaufry#94

Just a gallimaufry of photos 📸

A street vendor selling durians

Breakfast  Dim Sum
Cheong fun
Fried shrimp dumplings
Har Gow
Lo Pak Gou
Lotus leaf  wrapped sticky rice
Sticky rice with a filling of chicken or pork, shitake mushroom, Chinese sausage, dried shrimp, and salted egg is wrapped in a lotus leaf and then steamed to impart a subtle flavour to the rice.

Dim Sum 101
Teh Tarik contest
Participants compete to see who can make the most frothy and delicious cup of  Teh Tarik.
               
Teh tarik is a popular hot beverage in Malaysia and Singapore. It is made from black tea and condensed milk, and traditionally served in a glass or mug. The name “Teh Tarik” means “pulled tea,” and it is made by pouring the beverage back and forth between two containers at a distance. This process is used to create a foamy, frothy texture that is characteristic of Teh Tarik.


FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES

Tanoura Dance, Dubai 2011


The tanoura is a dance performed by men twirling in long, colourful skirts, originating from whirling dervishes.

So what is a dervish, and why do they whirl?
 
A dervish is a Muslim religious man who spins and twirls with increasing speed until he reaches a trance-like state.
Stripping layers of his clothes as he spins represents the different stages of ridding himself of earthly needs and reaching a state of spiritual surrender to God.
We watched this performance on a dhow cruise. The dancer was like a human top. He spun continously for a good 30 minutes without faltering. I got dizzy just watching him!

A video to share.

Friday, August 25, 2023

Gallimaufry#93

Just a gallimaufry of photos 📸

Meet Ahmed, my favourite vegetable seller at the wet market.
Ahmed is a migrant worker from Bangladesh. He speaks better Malay than I do!

WHEN FOODIES RUN INTO ONE ANOTHER ...
Son#1 and I ran into our former neighbours in the mall, and we decided to to have lunch together in our favourite restaurant

OODLES OF NOODLES 🍜

Dry curry rice vermicelli with roasted pork
Mee Yoke  noodles in an umami-loaded prawn broth 🦐
Flat rice noodles in a chicken broth topped with shredded chicken, prawns, and Chinese chives
Cockles with bean sprouts
A funny for today ...
FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES

The Royal Palace, Dam Square 2019
I have been feeling disheartened lately. My beloved country has never been more divided, with race and politics increasingly being the source of tension and conflict in the country. Growing up in the 1960s, we were once a shining example of a harmonious multi-racial country with our eclectic mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other ethnic cultures. This rich and varied tapestry of cultures and religions was once a source of strength rather than division, and we were proud of our unique national identity.

Recently, MR. DIY, a Malaysian home improvement company, carried out a social experiment in a local mall, and after watching the video, I suddenly felt my spirits lifted. There is hope yet.

Malaysians from all walks of life, races, genders, and ages came to the aid of the elderly man in the video. This is such a profound reminder of who we Malaysians truly are when we put aside our differences. We may be divided by race and religion, but we are all one and the same. We are anak Malaysia.

*anak in Malay translates as children

Take note of the old man's response in several languages and dialects. The average Malaysian speaks three languages: English, their ethnic language in various dialects, and Bahasa Melayu/Malay, which is the country's official language.
Malaysia will be celebrating its 66th Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) on 31st August 2023.

GOD BLESS MALAYSIA!

Oyen and the capybaras

A video to put a smile on your face 😊
If animals of different species can live in harmony, why can't we?

FUN FACT
In Malaysia, ginger cats are generally named "Oyen", said to originate from the word orange.
My Corner of the World

Friday, August 18, 2023

Gallimaufry#92

Just a gallimaufry of photos 📸


Chinese guardian lions made of balloons

FROM THE COOKIE ARCHIVES


Hubby's former co-worker treated us to a traditional Keralan dinner.
Briyani platter
Brinjal Masala
Pulao
Paneer
Egg Masala

VIEWS OF MY HOMETOWN FROM MY AIRBNB RENTAL 

Sometimes the wrong train will get you to the right station.

                                                                    quote from the movie The Lunch Box

The Lunch Box, a heartwarming movie set in Mumbai, revolves around a mistaken delivery by the Dabbawalas (lunchbox service) of Mumbai, which leads to a relationship between Saajan, a lonely widower close to retirement, and Ila, an unhappy housewife, as they start exchanging notes through the daily lunchbox.




FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES

An Italian police car in Vatican City
Curious, I asked ChatGPT if the Italian police is permitted to enter the Vatican.

My Corner of the World