Hi-tech Mamak

Hi-tech Mamak : While waiting for my number to come up at the Immigration Office, I went for a quick breakfast at a mama restaurant at the end of the row - Ali Maju it was called.

Sat down, had my order called, and the fella taking the order were keying them onto an Android tablet on his hands. He then handed me a smart card for me to take to the cashier later when I wanted to check out!

The food came in quite slowly however, so I was’t really sure if such a complicated system helped in the end of the day. Maybe during hectic hours it might do …. but it was impressive none the less. Maybe Apple Pay would be coming next ….

Hassled

I must've woken up on the wrong side of the bed as I was rather hassled all morning driving in. Though I sorted out my rounds pretty early, I then realized that I left my wallet at home. Anita called me soon after to confirm that. Luckily I had some packed breakfast brought in.

So, no lunch from the looks of things. Luckily I a lunch meeting which should include lunch. Quick drive to Park City this morning before returning for the afternoon clinic here. I tip of that, I would have a lunch meeting and another at 5 pm.

It's going to be a long day ...

Time for Goodbye

Another photowalk was sorted. Certainly this year the walk was different. There was a more raw edge to it. And this happened in Pudu a few days after a bomb exploded in Bukit Bintang nearby killing one person.

There was always a suspicion that the local triad had a hand in that. This was always a case in a Chinese dominated business district. Pudu was no different.

As usual, the walk was started with the obligatory group shop. And at the end point, there was always lunch. This time the exit point was back at Pudu Plaza. That was handy since I parked there.

After a quick snack, it was time to say goodbye. We shall meet again next year ...

Kaffeinette

No, this wasn't a typo. That's the name of the cafe my cousin, Shari and his partner, just opened at SS15, a traffic jam hub not far from my clinic. Yes, traffic was an issue there but hey, this is Subang Jaya!

Last Wednesday evening, he held a doa selamat and opened the cafe for relatives and cousins. It rained heavily in the preceding hours and even I got stuck driving from the apartment with parts of the road leading out of KL was closed due to flash flooding. It took Anita and my Mum an hour and a half to get there from Gombak and all of us missed the doa.

But we reached there in time for the food.

Suri, and the owner, Shari

A typical cafe, it served great coffee, comfort food and of course, cakes and desserts. I didn't have time to explore the menu, but one of the main attraction was ironically nasi lemak.

The place was packed when we arrived, and since I had yet to take dinner, I was starving. The nasi lemak definitely took care of that.

Creative wiring

A nice chat ensued as another cousin of mine had just returned from Haj the week before. Time to catch up.

Talking about traffic jam, it was certainly a challenge around this part of SS15. This was made worst by roadworks and building as part of the MRT round the corner from there. Hopefully the traffic would improve as the building was completed. Otherwise, the location of the cafe would've been perfect.

Awaiting for the signage to be erected

A single visit would not give a real idea of how the place would take off. I would give it another visit traffic and work permitting in the coming weeks.

Urban Decay

As mentioned, I could've easily called the Photowalk this year as exploration of urban decay. Certainly was a suitable theme. The overcast weather certainly gave the ambiance an extra lift, exaggerating the dull tone.

Walking around this part of Pudu alone could be intimidating. I wouldn't mind the Chinese folks which made the majority of the residents here, it was the foreigners. They look at the locals suspiciously and certainly I wouldn't want to be seen with expansive gear walking around here.

Best to walk in a group.

But if you were with friends, certainly there were plenty to see and photograph. Best to walk around early in the morning as the lights would be better and the weather wouldn't be as hot and humid.

For the day, I decided to shoot black and white with my GR. The 28mm perspective was just nice although it would've been great to have a wide-angle zoom along - I bought one a week later.

The black and white palate certainly brought the atmosphere to life.