A Few Sights Around KL on Malaysia' s Independence Day

Independence Day in Malaysia is on August 31st.

-Malaysia Tourism Center

-colonial style architecture

-Islamic style architecture (railway station)

-Little India

-a KL Sentral neighborhood

-The National Museum

-The National Palace

- intersection in Titiwangsa area

-Titiwangsa Lake Garden

-Palace of Culture

- military showcase

- Independence Day reenactments

-Bukit Bintang district

Things I Did on My First Day in Kuala Lumpur (KL)

Mostly in order...

1.  Changed my dollars into ringgits

2.  Visited the world's largest free-flight walk-in aviary (KL Bird Park)


3.  Ate delicious satay for lunch in the bird park restaurant overlooking the canopy, while the birds harmonized away

4.  Visited the Orchid and Hibiscus garden

5.  Relaxed to the melodious afternoon call to prayer in said garden while admiring the skyline 

6.  Gasped as I saw a monkey, who had crept up beside me during that beautiful moment: I startled him away...

7.  Got on the hop-on, hop-off tour bus to see more of KL

8.  Admired the variance in architecture everywhere:  contemporary skyscrapers and multiple sky walks, mixed in with modest, cement storefronts, sprinkled with onion-domed and minaret-wielding mosques, among classic, colonial-looking buildings and Chinese-style architecture...oh, and with a palace somewhere in the mix

9.  Bought more water:  The heat and humidity here are mighty potent forces...

10.  Began work on my 1st presentation as a Fellow for the Harry Potter English Camp.

A Few Facts About Malaysia...

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/maps/my-map.gif

• It is a nation located in Southeast Asia.
• Its two territories,the Malay Peninsula and 1/3 of the island of Borneo, are divided by the South China Sea.
• The main ethnic groups are Malay, Chinese, Indigenous, and Indian.
• The country's motto is "Unity is Our Strength."
• The official language is Bahasa Malaysia.
• Islam is the official religion.
• The government is a federal constitutional monarchy.
• Yellow is the color reserved for the royal family.
• Malaysia is a former British colony.
• The country is estimated to contain 20% of the world's animal species.
• There are more than 30 national parks in Malaysia!

Sources: the websites of CIA World Factbook, Wonderful Malaysia, and E-Diplomat

Highlights of the Pre-Departure Fellows Orientation

...in no particular order

• Candid discussions with experienced Fellows about their post experiences and recommendations
• So many answered questions about Malaysia and my host institution...and answers to questions I didn't even know to ask about
• Sessions on coping strategies for homesickness, culture shock, and other challenges
• A workshop on how to manage the expense reports
• Ideas and suggestions for secondary projects beyond teaching at my host institution
• Getting to know the other jolly, good Fellows
• Buffet breakfasts, followed by morning and afternoon coffee breaks...mmm
• Receiving a multitude of instructional resources for teacher training and lesson ideas
• Understanding that while I might be the only Fellow at my post, I'm really not alone:  I'm part of a community of Fellows and others who are out there and willing to support me.