Week 1 - Malaysia

Arriving at the airport was a somewhat surreal experience, in the sense that, all the build up, the planning (of which yours truly did none, all credit to Bertie) the shaving of heads, had finally ended up in something I thought I'd always wanted - to be rid of my mother. Waving goodbye to our weeping creators, we boarded. Upon donning my seat and applying headphones I suddenly realised why long haul flights are in such high demand...

Films covered:

Bertie: The Internship, Heat, The Way Way Back, Cheaper By The Dozen 2

JJ: The Great Gatsby, The Internship, Argo, Bridget Jones' Diary

It doesn't take Jonathan Ross to be able to tell whose film taste is not just majestically superior but great in versatility.

The Humble Abode

Upon arrival in KL, one thing in particular hit me, the smell. At the time - knowledge of my comrade's ability to clear rooms made me query as to whether instead of temporary stench, he had indeed adopted a permanent odour that was quite unpleasant, but actually it was just the city that smelt awful.

I've found my intellectual level

Breakfast of champions 

Bertie couldn't figure out why none of them liked him...

After our first malaysian evening, a bible study and a bowl of breakfast, we adopted the program set up for us, our first task was to help out at creche. I personally found that the asian children took to me like I was one of their own and they flocked to me like I was the pied piper. Perhaps a slight exaggeration, however our first 'job' required of us was certainly an enjoyable experience!

This picture sums up our desire to absorb malaysian culture and also the crushing disappointment that
I was an inferior human being because I couldn't stomach a burger as substantial as Bertie's

One experience we've had was visiting a Cheshire home. A home for disabled people. We went there to have a bible study, which Bertie lead, to sing songs and to spend time with people who are physically disadvantaged. It was an incredible experience and phenomenally humbling to see people who couldn't sing or read worship the Lord, and see the genuine experessions of joy on their faces as they worshipped God however they could, one man simply clapping 'in time with the song'.

I personally had a similar experience again visiting, Saint Mark's Cozy Homes, as Bertie patiently listened to a lady named Mary, I partook in another short bible study and singing of songs and was humbled again by the Old people's genuine joy in worshipping God through singing songs, despite understanding from talking to some of them that many of them disliked staying in the home due to loneliness.

When not following our schedule, we have had ample time to relax and enjoy the city. Despite the various attractions on offer we have always ended up in the famous Chinatown. Full of bargains to be had, we have never come away from it without some sort of tat being purchased. Our Dr. Bre headphones have been a particular highlight as well as our 'genuine fake' Ray Bans.

On our first evening, as we were perusing the DVD collection in the flat, we stumbled across the first series of 24. Ever since, our evenings, after being taken out for dinner on many occasions, have consisted of analysing Jack Bauer's every move and trying to discern what will happen in the next episode. All we have really learnt from it so far is that you can never just watch one episode - no matter what time it is - you cannot just 'leave it there'.

KLCC Shopping Centre