Found: Karen Armstrong's Battle For God

Finally found this book after looking for it for some time. Of all places at Dubai Airport too. Cost me some 63 dirhams. Karen's books are so readable; well researched and well written. She certainly is an expert on the subject.

The Hand That Throws The Stone...

It is very interesting to see the reaction I got from my earlier entry.

The persons commenting were so enraged and embittered with emotion that they exposed themselves to be exactly what they had accused me of.

Firstly, no where in my entry did I mention any races.

My entry was never an ‘us’, as in malay (as insinuated) against them (indian/chinese); it was ‘us’, level headed law abiding citizen of the country against the emotional mob.

So consumed with rage were the commenters about what I wrote, that they did not stop to ask. All they did is just generalize and assume that everyone had racial prejudices in mind…as they had exposed theirs.

So consumed were they in rage that instead of engaging in getting to the truth behind the entry, they’ve exposed the slum that is their mind. How else do you describe the non-related reference to a business trip to a sexual sojourn? Perhaps, to them, a business trip is a free ticket to sexual buffets- how else would one even think of a business trip as anything more than just a business trip. tsk! tsk! Siapa makan cili, dia terasa pedas! (Those whom eat chilies will feel the heat!)

Well, newsflash. To many, a business trip remains just that. And to many I am sure, a healthy relationship at home is enough. There is no need to expose oneself to the potential threat of virus and what naught for cheap thrill.

Also, they have failed to address the difficulties caused by these unthinking mobs; such as the loss of businesses, missing of one’s flight, the inconvenience of people getting caught in the traffic congestions, the shame brought to the nation, the potential loss of confidence in the country by foreign investors, etc. etc. I can go on, but these people should think hard about the difficulties caused by the event in the bigger picture. They have forgotten, Malaysia being a multi-racial nation with the majority of the business owners being Chinese; are the ones being highly affected by loss of business due to the mobs.

Call to punish the mobs was across the board; if anyone where to read without prejudice one would note an absence of reference to any race. Who ever causes the disturbance should be punished. It is in the very fertile imagination of my commenters that the call is for a call of one race to behave badly.

Instead of addressing these, they had found it proper to insult a faith. Insults to faith do not deteriorate it; it just exposes the naivety and the smallness of the person’s view of life. They have highlighted how the malays owed much to India…the language et al. If one is to think that way, then the commenter should think that India too was not one of the earlier civilization…India’s civilization was found only in 2000 BC…think Sumeria, that’s about 4000 BC…. Or if we really want to stretch out far, then we ALL owe it to the Africans. If we really want to nitt pick, without the Islamic scientist/astronomers/philosophers which all came before the western scientist/thinkers (the Europeans were in dark ages then); the world might not have known the world as we know it today. The point I am making here is that, knowledge is not exclusive to any single nation. Knowledge comes from God for the good of all peoples for all time. So consumed the commenters were with rage they grab at straws to make a point.

Reference to India as a dump is not an insult. It is a statement of fact.
Go to India and you will see; nevertheless, it is an interesting country and any opportunity to visit it should be taken.

It is also interesting to note when all else fails, name calling is something comforting to resort to.

Finally, the very thing that all my commenters are fighting for, i.e. freedom of speech (though the HINDRAF people didn’t exactly want that from Queen E), is exactly what they are trying to snuff out with their comments.

People are strange that way....

Civil Disobedience Is Still Disobedience!!!

My Thoughts On These So called Protests:

1) All true rakyat Malaysia should get together and put all these protesters on a one way ticket (break bulk shipping preferred) to India since they are so insulted about being dragged to Malaysia/Malaya (they might think differently when the curbs becomes their homes ala the 'homeless of India';

2) The authority should take one of those protesters and beat the shit out of him,with cameras rolling please..(this will act as a deterant as most people having dwelled in a comfy country like Malaysia are very pain aversed. Screw the human rights people. This is OUR country. You dont like it..leave! But you will not shit in public and make a mess of everyone's life);

3) All those businesses (hotels, restaurants, miscellaneous businesses) affected by the road closure et.al. Get together and sue these bloody people for loss of business, loss of goodwill, mental anguish...and anything else y'all could use to squeeze money out of this SOBs, preferably totalling up to US$4 trillion... well...if they can do it onto others...others should be given the same equal chance..eh? or doesnt it work that way?;
This shoud include all those tourist, visitors and everyone whom missed their flights because of the disturbance.

4) Take their Malaysian ID and burn them and then deport them. Screw the human rights people;

5) Allow the police to use their batons/truncheon on these poeple..water canons are for ninnies;

6) I've never believed in total democracy especially when a good number of the people does not have the faculties to think maturely. I think India as the biggest democracy is a failure. What is the use of democracy when people have the freedom to do almmost anything ..without regard for anyone else. And people can get really selfish. This is why India is such a dump; because it is the people's democratic rights to throw rubbish right where they are standing. We dont need these sort of thing even if the rest of the world thinks we dont rate too highly on the human rights issues. Heck, this is our country and we have the right to comfort, to peace. If that means people have to be a bit more diplomatic, so be it. No freedom of speech? So be it!

7) To those Hindraf members,..go to school get some education, and make an honest decent living of your life. There is no such thing as fast cash. There is no such thing instant wealth. Get off your bloody lazy asses and go tap some rubber!!!

8) Yes, I am pissed!
*************************************************************

Nation
Sunday November 25, 2007
MYT 8:01:13 PM


Hindraf gathering proceeds (update 3)

The Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) gathering

KUALA LUMPUR: Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has indefinitely called off the handing over of its petition to the British High Commission.

A. Sivanesan, one of the lawyers representing the three Hindraf members who were charged with sedition at the Klang Sessions Court on Friday, said the handing over was called off as the group could not get to the High Commission after gathering for about seven hours.

Large groups were seen gathering at Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak from as early as 6am Sunday.

Police and Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel began dispersing the crowds using water cannons and teargas at the Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak intersection by about 7.20am, after giving them warnings to disperse.

The gathering, organised by Hindraf, had hoped to hand over the petition to the British High Commission.

The police had not given the group a permit to hold the gathering on Sunday.

The petition to the British Commission asks for Queen Elizabeth II to appoint a Queen's counsel to represent the Indian community in a class action suit against the British Government for bringing Indians as indentured labourers to then Malaya and exploiting them.

The group has filed a US$4 trillion (RM13.5 trillion) suit at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in August claiming that the British were to blame for the marginalisation of Indians in Malaysia.

The suit is equivalent to US$1mil (RM3.4mil) for every Indian in Malaysia.

The police had on Friday served a court order on five members of Hindraf and its supporters restraining them from organising or participating in the planned rally.

Jalan Ampang, which had been closed from 3am because of the gathering, was reopened at 1pm Sunday.

The Avenue K and City Square shopping complexes and the restaurants along Jalan Ampang were closed Sunday morning, while various hotels and Suria KLCC had strict security enforced at their entrances.

The KLCC and Ampang Park LRT stations, which were closed from 6am, were reopened at 3.13pm.

Night Mare in Dubai - Part VII

I kept my last day in Dubai free of any appointments. The morning was mine to do as I please, be it a run on the threadmill, soaking myself in the teencie weencie pool, do my last minute shopping or just sleeping in till it is time to go.

I choose to wander around in the souq and do some shopping. I have had to be careful with my cash stash as taxi fares had taken me by surprise. A short half hour ride can set me back some 40 dirhams and I had not expected that. My cash stash was designed for tipping and the occasional snacking. Auditing my purse, I discovered I had some money to play with. So after my breakfast, I set off to the Spice souq.

My ride to the Burdubai souq was nice and quick despite it being a half day weekend/work day. Dubai is a work in progress causing what would have been a mere 10 minutes ride became a 20 minutes ride, much of the time getting stuck in the bumper to bumper especially in between construction sites and around the Dubai Museum.

I finally got to the water bus station and boarded one of the dhows. We all paid the driver 1 dirhams each and then we were off. The ride was just about 5 minutes and soon we arrived at the old souq water bus station.

I crossed the street via the underpass to get to the spice souq.

The first shop fronting the street had a lot of gift type of items for sale; stuff like miniature oil light ala alladin, a small shisha bottle and pipe, that sort. The shop next to that is Iranian; offering frankincense, the holder, hair oils, some spices, most from Iran. As I walked down the path, I noted that everything in the souq is imported. Nothing actually made in the UAE. I can forget about looking for anything from the UAE because it doesn’t exist.

I turned the corner and came to another Iranian store. The owner lured me in to the store with saffron. A big container of Iranian saffron costs just 15 dirhams. One third of that cost me 12 ringgit back home. So I made mental notes to get it for my mother.

Night Mare in Dubai - Part VI

We managed to get loss.

Yes, what would have been a 10 minutes walk towards a brown building across the road turned out to be a half an hour ride in the creek side of Abu Dhabi; all the while going further and further away from the brown ZADCO building.

…(sigh)….Lets not even go there….

We were late; but the people we were supposed to meet were caught in a meeting. So we ended up waiting for another half an hour. This is all and fine with us.

They apologized too, considering they had made someone whom had come all the way from Malaysia wait for so long. We were wise enough to shut up about us being late..haha.

The meeting was soon over and we scooted over to the Sheraton to continue with Sean.

He, Sean was still draped over the luxurious sofa…looking very laid back and relaxed (how the hell does this man makes his money..surely not being draped on to a sofa like that). I swear, in another setting, he’d have a sisha pipe in one hand, all dressed up like Lawrence of Arabia and belly dancers jiggling to his command..(I don’t know where THAT came from!!...duuhh..)

“He probably took out a 99 years lease on that sofa..” I hissed to Gilbert.

Sean greeted us with a big smile and I repeated my ‘lease’ statement to him.

“Oh I was at the pub having a go at the Whisky earlier..” Sean grinned.

Yes he looked suitably mollified and undisturbed about having to wait for us.

“Where did you get the ‘Roche’ family name from?” Sean started.

Gilbert immediately dove into his family history and pretty much set the tone for the meeting.

“I believe your people saved my father from being killed..” Sean said soon as Gilbert was done with his story.

“How so?” I chirped.

Sean lazily smiled and lighted a Lucky Strike.

“I used to feed my father whisky and put on the tape recorder and let him tell his story. He was in the British military around the late 30s you see. He was stationed in Penang at the time..”


“Oh Oh..I think I’ve seen this story in a malay movie somewhere..” I laughed “Don’t tell me he had his evil ways with a malay girl..” I quipped.

“He might have, the rascal..” Sean said while pulling a long one on his Lucky Strike,

Sean Senior was a engineer with the British army it seems and was stationed in Penang for a good while. He did have his evil ways it seems and his officers in command had seen it suitable to ship him out to Singapore to keep him out of trouble. In Singapore he was in charge of gen sets and worked with the big guns. I guess he was stationed at Fort Suloso in Sentosa Island and the guns there were really really huge.

Apparently, one fine day, one of the officers from the british Indian army battalion had wanted him to put on the gen-sets, perhaps to run their pankas (I assume his panka-walla may have gone astray). Sean Sr. refused…whether because he refused to take instructions from an Indian…or he just refused because he knows its not being used for the specified purpose, we will never know. The Indian sepoys in the fort were insulted about how the young Sean had treated their officer and planned to take revenge by threatening to kill him. Sean Sr.’s officers got wind of this plan and for his safety; they sent him back to England. Two months later the Japanese attacked from the south and the fort was taken. Everyone was caught and torture or killed.

A fine story…makes a nice period movie.

“What a story” I said. “I am sure there is more from where that came from”.

“Yes..”

“I’d like to feed you Whisky and sit next to you with a pen and paper myself..” I smiled.

“I’d be careful with you, you minx..” he said lighting up another Lucky Strike.

We discussed a little bit more on business and then had to run as Gilbert had made another appointment elsewhere.

We said our goodbyes and he wished us luck. I watched him walk away to no where in particular.

Night Mare in Dubai - V

Yesterday, I met with Somerset Maugham in ABu Dhabi. Or at least, his incarnation.

No Kidding.

Lets start from the beginning.

After the rough and tumble evening of the desert safari, I had to drag myself out of bed. Who wouldnt? After a one day break of nothing to do, the prospect of having to drive 2 hours to Abu Dhabi and 2 hours back just to talk to strangers is not very attractive, I assure yah.

So, there I was, still very much asleep and preparing breakfast and at the same time getting ready for my appointments. After half an hour of rushing to get ready, my driver called to say "madam! I will be late, the road is fully (yes this is his favourite word) because of accidents!".

"Thats OK Nadir," I assured him quietly fuming at the loss of my additional sleep time.

After spending what felt like eternity flipping thru brainless women magazine on the couch, my ride finally came and we were off!

We had to swing by the Jumeirah Beach Residence to pick up Gilbert and then we were really on the way to Abu Dhabi.

It was my first visit to Abu Dhabi. From what I heard, its more laid back and 'nicer' than Dubai. It can only be true. Anything is 'nicer' than Dubai.

Granted, its all nice and clean and modern. But Dubai, is a cold cold place. I thought so the first time I visited a couple of years back and I still think so now. Dubai in my eyes; is simply souless. Thats what money does to people. And there is a lot of money in Dubai.

Anyway, it was a long drive to Abu Dhabi. Gilbert and I bitched all ride long. About the good old days. Off and on Nadir my cabbie interrupted to inform us "Madam, Sir, that area...is fully palace of ruler..the khalifah..."or " Madam, Sir, that area is fully beautiful...all fully green only.." etc etc

And all the while the fare machine goes "piiiing..." making me flinch as that means the fare is clicking. Sometimes the machine goes "You are driving too fast, please slow down.." Apparently the legal speed limit of the dubai-abu dhabi highway (4-6 lanes)is only 120km/hour. My lil cabbie was itching to play catch up with the big boy toys which whizzed passed him at at least 200 km/hour.

We finally arrived in Abu Dhabi; having run out of bosses (past and present) to bitch about.

My first impression of Abu Dhabi was.."RETRO..!!"

The facades of the buildings lined up on the main thorough fare as we drove into AD reminds me of KL in the 70s,(yes, thats so telling). Of curse the buildings are taller and bigger. KL of the 70s only had buildings as high as 10 floors or so, at most. And that was the Federal Hotel near BB Park.

Abu Dhabi is as different from Dubai as chalk and cheese.

Our first destination was the Sheraton.

We had a meeting with Sean Going, a consultant to the royale family; compliments from John Taskinen.

"You really must meet with Sean for a chat. He is a typical English Gentlemen. You should be able to recognise him easily. He'll be dressed in a white shirt and a dark blue trousers." John had emailed.

Of course, John had just profiled half the male population employed in KL with that sort of description!

To John's credit, we did instantly recognised Sean. He was draped over the very luxurious Sheraton sofa smoking a Lucky Strike (quite american there innit?). Then again I was wearing my work uniform of a black and red shirt and I had described this to Sean earlier on the phone, and no one in Abu Dhabi could have missed me!! Not a woman in men's shirt with such colour too!

The meeting started off officially enough. I let Gilbert do his thing of introducing the company. Hes so good at it. I used to do this; but today I cant even recognise the people working one floor above mine, such has the compay expanded. To be fair, I am more focused on my business unit now and dont care much for the others.

I quickly briefed Sean what my business is all about and what I was doing in the UAE and he made some suggestions to the effect.

While he was quickly running though his life history in the business, I gave him the once over.

John had described Sean as an English gentlemen...hence, how i managed to get all clouded with the romantic ideas of Somerset Maugham (though, for the life of me, I really have no idea how this Somerset looks like).

He did carry himself as one; if the meeting was at some colonial inspired hotel such as the E&O in Penang or the The Majestic in KL (before it was demolished) I swear he could be the incarnation of Somerset. Only his blue jeans, although a proper one and not one torn at the knees or faded, stole the magic away. He was dressed as John had described, in white shirt, blue pants (or dark blue jeans in this case), a dark blue jacket and a pair of polished black leather shoes.

Inspite of the 'english gentleman' title, and I had expected someone quite boring and having a stiff upper lip; Sean made us feel at ease, very interesting too.

45 minutes was soon up and we had so much more to talk about still. We had another appointment at ZADCO then; which Sean pointed to us, was just across the street.

We said goodbye and promised to be back in a short while. He waved us off and said he'll be waiting for us at the Pub.

Night Mare in Dubai - Part IV

I went dune bashing today...and it was quite interesting.

The day started harmelessly enough.

At the peak of dawn, the boss called instructing me to write a letter to PCSB. Yes, me. All the way from Dubai. No there is no one else to do it at the office. So at O dark ugly, I got up and started breakfast all the while tapping away on my laptop.

I had to hurry as I had made arrangements to go jalan-jalan in town.
Needless to say, even with all the rushing around I was late in joining the tour bus, so they left without me.

After emailing the letter, I quickly caught a taxi to join the tour bus at the Jumeirah beach.

The half day Dubai City Tour was a quick way to see all those touristy places, all in on go.

The tour took us around the city with a stop at the Jumeirah beach for some picture session of the Burj Al Arab (YES, AGAIN!!!), and then we went to the Miraj Islamic Art Centre, The Jumeirah Mosque, before passing by the Sheikh Rashid's Al Zabeel palace (very humble looking), the present royale family oppoulent palace, muzeum and then boarded the Abra to the spice souq and the trip ended with the Gold Souq.

It was all whirl wind like. I only got to buy some garlic chips for my beloved. He'd love these for snacks. I havent gotten my mom or my staff anything at all.

We got back to the hotel at 2pm during which I had to check my mails, makes some business calls, have lunch, shower and be ready for the arabian desert safari tour.

My Toyota Landcruiser came right on time at 3. The car was already occupied by an indian family. I had to sit way at the back, where the add on chairs are. Thats the bumpiest seat in the house as far as I was concerned. But its OK. I look like I am the youngest and the toughest compared to the bunch. So, yeah, OK, I'll rough it out.5 minutes into the ride we swung by another hotel. To pick up the last passenger. It was strange as the philipino girl at the tour office said that there would only be 6 of us in the car including the driver.

To cut a long story short, the guy is from MALAYSIA...of all places to meet a comrade..and of all things...works with PETRONAS....

BAH...will i ever rid myself of things familiar....

GREAT. A client and his contractor pretty much locked in side by side for the next 6hours together.

We were chatty at the beginning comparing notes about people we knew..from this team and that.

The drive towards Oman was quite long; especially so because there was nothing to occupy ourselves. It was just sand dunes all around. The plus is, the condition of the road was good. They reserve the bumpy rides specially for the safari I suppose.

Before we entered the sand dunes we made a quick pit stop to rest, pee and refresh.
And then we were OFF!

Wooohooo..it was great. It felt like being in a ferry during the monsoon season. The plus with sand dune is that, if anything were to happen, you dont have far to fall nor will you get wet...AND....the risk of drowning is practically non existant!

I must say, this is the first time I've been on a 4WD with the machine doing exactly what it was designed and built for. Yessirrreee..none of that pretentious rich people driving the 4WD to buy groceries around the corner.


We went on for half an hour before stopping in the middle of a sand dune to catch our breath. After about 15 minutes break we went on again pounding into the dune and sliding on the sides of an ever shifting hill. It was great fun. I only wished that it was I doing the driving. It sucks being a passive audience.

Anyway we went on for another 20 minutes only to stop again. This time the convoy stopped in its tracks. To witness the setting sun. It was simply beautiful.

The sky quickly darkened after the sun had gone behind the sand dunes and our drivers sped to our final destination. The desert camp. For dinner, relax and some belly dancing.

We were given much time to relax, too long infact. Some people had gone restless. The time allocated for dinner and relax is good if one is in a group and gettign drunk. For a lone traveller, it could get quite boring.

Suhaila our belly dancer finally made an appearance and we were reliefed that she was indeed a woman...with rolls of fat around her belly and all. Nice to jiggle around with.

I gleefully gloated that she had more rolls than yours truly..hahah.

Suhaila did her thing and the ight came to an end too early as far as belly dancing was concerned.

We were then given 10 minutes of total darkness. To appreciate the bedoein way of life or so they say.

After that we all wobbled back to our 4WD, some happy some indifferent .

We had another 10 minutes of roughing it out before we got to tarmac road and all the way back to gliterring Dubai I napped.

The driver sent the India groupie to their hotel first and then me. We all said goodbye and wished each other a pleasant trip ahead.

Just before turning in, I checked my mails, showered and prepared my work clothes for the next day.

It was an interesting day. I've pretty much covered all there is in Dubai and just before i fell asleep, I wondered if I will be meeting Somerset Maugham tomorrow.

We'll see.

Night Mare in Dubai - Part III

Breakfast was great. In the comfort of my own room.

The faux chicken vindaloo had set nicely and the overly sour flavour had stablised.
My scrambled eggs were heavily laden with the chicken vindaloo and served with a side of salad (left overs) and garlic bread; washed down with coffee and mango juice.

Very nice.

It was just as well, after having wiped clean my plate with the garlic baguette, I had to rush in the shower and get kicking.

I had turned in early last night...at 7pm Dubai time, can you beat that! Well I did get all fo 2 hours of sleep only previous night. The 7 hours flight did nothing in terms of sleep time. I had a melody of arab men doing accapella with their snores and the cad whom illegally stowed away to the empty seat next to me (i got the emergency exit seats you see, much leg rooms) joined in to the melody making sleep quite impossible. And the morgue like coldness of MAS cabins is something else. Think..: Dressed for the tropics in New England Winter (not that the traveller knows how cold the winters of New Englands are like!.

I woke up at a decent hour considering that I slept really early. Thing is, I had made arrangements with my taxi driver to come pick me up at 0915 to go to JAFZA to meet some people. Apparent and unfortunately, the text message did not quite get to him.

I am still not too sure about the Dubai phone area code numbering system and it seems that the text message I sent the night before had reached some one else....to some one's husband, I might add. I found this out when i tried calling my cabbie and found a displeased voice of a woman! She must have thought it a weird place to have a rende-vous, her husband and this asian sounding woman. As would I, as Jebel Ali Free Trade Area is not what would come to one's mind for any sort of romantic liaison!

Anyway I digressed.

To cut a long story short, instead of lounging around letting my breakfast settle while i checked my emails, I had to rush out the door to catch up with an appointment. So that was the end to my leisurely breakfast session.

Night Mare in Dubai - Part II

I had home made dinner tonight.

Well, partial home made.

Driving me back to my hotel in BurDubai, John pointed out Spinney’s to me.

“That’s a pretty decent place to get some supplies, since your rooms all decked up with a kitchenette. I bit pricey, but that’s OK” John had advised.

“I might do just that. I thought of crawling to Burjuman later but I am just too sleepy! Arriving at the hotel at 5 this morning and then getting up at 7 was no fun. I just cant sleep as its already mid noon”

“I know what you mean” John drawled, stifling a yawn.

We soon found my service apartment and after making plans to meet at the office tomorrow, I waved John off and went up to drop off my bags.

Ten minutes later I was on the way to Spinney’s to get my stuff.

Its really a smaller version of Carrefour/Tesco in KL with small video, book stores, barber and fast food store lined up adjacent to the main anchor; Spinney’s, a super market.

It felt almost like home, doing the weekend grocery shopping with the beloved. The only difference is he is not with me exploring all the fun produces.

Earlier this morning I had to pay 26 Emirates Dirham for breakfast. If that’s the way things are to keep up, I will spend at least 100 dirhams for food alone in a day. Not good. 100 dirhams is almost 100 ringgits and to spend that much money on food is crazy.

I had decided earlier that with the kitchenette I could go get some supplies and whip up something quick and easy. No feast planned; just as long as I can have something quick in the morning and at night. Lunch will have to be outside.

The bill came to about 60 dirhams some 50 ringgit. Not bad for a week of supplies. What was expansive was the vindaloo paste. I just had to have it. It was English vindaloo and my beloved is simply in love with English vindaloo. We had gone around India to look for that special vindaloo he craves but without joy. So I simply must get it although it set me back some 22 dirhams.

Other than that I got some margarine, eggs, mango juice, bottled water, whole roast chicken, boiled rice, garlic bread, salad dresing and salad. I had wanted to buy vegetables and make my own salads but the vegetables were just too expansive. If I do stay in Dubai for a long duration I think I would get constipated due to lack of roughage.

With my purchases all packed into little yellow bags, I walked back to my room to prepare dinner.

This was the fastest dinner preparation, ever.

I emptied half of my vindaloo sauce into a pot and my boiled rice into a saucepan. I added some water and when the sauce had boiled gently I tore out the tender roast chicken and add to the sauce. 3 minutes later I ladle the sauce and chicken onto the rice. I tossed the salads with the dressing and walla, dinner is ready, madam.

Now with dinner over and done with and dishes put aside to dry I am contemplating tomorrow’s breakfast. Scrambled eggs chicken vindaloo with garlic bread and washed down with coffee and juice. Yummy. It would be so good. I can’t wait for breakfast.

Night Mare in Dubai - Part I

The traveler is back in Dubai. This time for a week, a bit longer than the first time, some 3 years back.

The trip did not start off on the right foot though. For he first time in 2 years the traveler actually missed her flight! What is worst is that, the flight was missed without the traveler even trying. Not trying to miss the flight but without even trying to get ON the flight.

Yes. I was blissfully walking around town when suddenly WHAAM!! It struck on me that the flight time 1245 means 45 minutes in the afternoon and not after mid night. This fact dawned on me at 11.45 am a sudden flash of the number 1245 before my eyes. Bags unpacked, cargo blissfully sitting in the car boot and a prior engagement with the beloved for lunch at BV. No ticket, no passport. No go!

With shaking hands, I reached for my mobile and stabbed the beloved’s number. 3 minutes later, the beloved confirmed that the flight time was indeed at 1245 and not 0045.

“What were you thinking????” he exclaimed.

“Obviously, I wasn’t” I answered back exasperated.

NOW, I had to think quickly. The cargo in my car boot would potentially cost my employer millions, just sitting there. This is not good. Though, for some strange and twisted reasons I believe all these are the handy work of my subconscious.

“Come down to Sentral and bring my ticket and passport please. I'll meet you at the departure area” I said to the beloved before hanging up and immediately scrolled down my address book to get the ticket agent number.

Of all days, my ticket agent had to take THIS particular saturday to have their annual family day weekend.

Sometimes life really feels like its conspiring against you, doesn’t it?

And when you feel all hope is gone, you’d get that flash of flight at the end of the tunnel.

“…for emergency calls please contact our staff at our mobile number 012…”

“SNAPP!!”

“I missed my flight!!” I wailed as soon as my ticket agent picked up the emergency line.

“…and who is this?”

I remembered my manners and gave her all my details as I should have.

“Any seat, I don’t care. MAS, Emirates, Qatar….Thai too if you have to..” I instructed.

“How about Singapore Airlines..”

“That too…” I answered sheepishly oblivious to any attempts to get me to lighten up.

As far as I was concerned at that point, even if I have to take the TWA through Japan, into London via Toronto and then straight into Dubai….I’d DO IT!

I suppose my creator didn’t feel the need to be hanging me on my legs. My pain was soon cut short.

The agent called back with good news.

I was set. My new tickets to Dubai would be at 11.50PM. For the change of ticket MAS will kick my ass with a penalty of RM300. RM300 poorer but I will get the documents to the pre-determined location at the appointed hour.

“PHEW!!!” That was one close shave.

When One Finger Points Out In Accusation...

...Three other fingers points back at self.

The local papers today carried a report about the bitching of some women politician from the morality police state of Kelantan. Apparently they do not like the short and red uniforms of Air Asia flight attendants.

"Dont fly on air asia then" said my beloved.

Well thats going to be difficult for air asia dear, i said.

Kelantan may be a poor like crap state, but heck their people are rich. I dare say a good bunch of the rich and some what famous of Malaysian, or simply rich for that matter hails from Kelantan. Malay they are by political definition, but some what different in the way they live.

For one, a large chunk of Kelantanese believe in being self sufficient. Going into trade for livelihood instead of depending on the government and GLC for employment.
Which is all and well. There is much to be admired by this bunch. Well. to me there is...

However, to pull the 'holier than thou' attitude dont go down too well with me.

I dont wish to pull out a myriad of dirty laundries on the Kelantanese...because dirty laundry is aplenty, their large houses on huge lands is deceptive to those not in the know. Until you walk in...dirty laundries abound!

Anyways, we are not bitching about dirty laundries this mornign.

For Zaleha (Kubang Kerian delegate, read article appended below) to bitch about air asia, she should look at the women folks of her own state.

About 10 years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Kelantan with some of my Kelantanese friends. It was one of our adventure dive trips...diving where no normal sport diver had gone before sort of situation. Diving off Bachok! tsk ! tsk!

Anyways; a bunch of us were cruising in our car; seeing the country, so to speak. On the way to Pantai Cinta Berahi (The Beach of Passionate Love, now renamed to Pantai Cahaya Bulan or Beach of the Light of The Moon)we had to drive on a small road with crooked wooden houses along the way.

I flipped the first time I saw it.

A woman, nonchalantly walking on the side of the street wearing a sarong tied across her breast!

I flipped I tell yah!

Why did I flip? Well, a half naked woman like that is not what one expects to see on the streets of Islamic Kelantan huh?

OK guys, before you all go rush for that air asia flight ticket....we are talking about an old woman here, with so many folds of skin so dry she look like a dead tree...I KID YOU NOT!

But dont fret there is hope yet..as we drove further towards the beach, we noted women just hanging themselves at their front doors, in sarongs tied across their chest and the more modests ones had towels wrapped around their shoulders. Young and old women... its like these people have no....shame? To be wearing what should remain in your bedroom; for all the world to see.

No wonder the men in their local government have to dictate a dress code for the women. Perhaps they fear if no such order is decreed, these women will wonder into town wearing nothing but their most shredded and skimpy towels....

My only regret with what I saw is that I was too...shocked ..to snap a photo. I am willing to bet though, i can still do this if I were to wonder into one of those villages.

So Zaleha, get your house in order first before you go around telling other people what to do. And yes, please get those old women to put something on...those dry folds are not too nice to look at... Air Asia's thighs and buttocks..anytime!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


AirAsia uniform ‘too revealing’

KUALA LUMPUR: A Wanita Umno delegate from Kelantan said the uniforms of the female cabin crew of budget airline AirAsia are too short and “show too much skin.”

Kubang Kerian delegate Datuk Zaleha Hussin said the uniform was an embarrassment to women.

She called on the Government to compel the carrier to change the uniform of the stewardesses, which she felt was too revealing.

“Tell AirAsia to change their stewardess' uniform. We don’t want to see too much of their buttocks, thighs and legs,” she said, when debating the motion on religion and social issues yesterday.

Zaleha suggested that the uniform be changed to reflect Eastern and Islamic values.

At this juncture, Umno deputy permanent chairman Badruddin Amiruldin, who was presiding over the session, interjected:

“I think they don’t have enough cloth.”

To this Zaleha replied: “Cloth can be bought.”

The Hungry Traveller in France

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Hungry Traveller in France, The (Paperback)
by Norman Davey (Author)

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Product details

Paperback: 300 pages
Publisher: Unknown (1 Jan 2006)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1846646529
ISBN-13: 978-1846646522
Product Dimensions: 21.2 x 14 x 2.4 cm
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Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1,261,287 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Synopsis
The Hungry Traveller in France By Norman Davey. Originally published in 1931. A humorous, but detailed, gastronomic journey through pre-war France. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Obscure Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. 296 pages. Contents include : First Part: Gastrography- First journey - Down: Channel ports - Beauvais - Within the island of France - Through the Orleanais - The Nivernais and Lower Burgundy - The Lower Rhone - Provence - Tom Tiddler's ground - Second journey - Up: The winter route - The all gold road - Through the war zone - Third journey -Across: The Var - From sea to sea. Fourth journey - Across: From Guyenne to Normandy - Three capitals in Gastronomy: Lyon - Marseille - Bordeaux. Second part- Wine List:- Claret - Burgundy - French wines other than clarets and burgundies. Third part- Squatting: The English Colony - Domestic economy - Admonition - Appendices