Bali vs. Kuala Lumpur

being in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, overwhelms me with very mixed feelings. Everything is available here. We stay in Le Meridien, and the hotel provides us with ample water, foods and drinks, luxury and comfort. And I don't feel happy.

I miss Bali. I miss the stars and the soft chattering of neighbors at night. I miss Wayan. I miss the silence and the quiet nights.

Here in KL, I only hear cars and the constant rumbling of city-noise. I only hear the empty talk of people who are busy making money.

I do realize that my feelings are a clear indication of me being spoiled. But that's who I am. At this final stage of my life, I don't search anymore for luxury. I search for authenticity, for real life, and me being part of it.

I don't find it in my home-country Belgium. Life there has become too much of a theoretical nonsensical rule-book.

I don't find it in Malaysia for the moment. I will keep a window open for our upcoming visit to Sabah (Kota Kinabalu). I will keep a window open for our planned visit to Sri Lanka. But KL is really out of the picture right now. It has become a watermelon city, lots of size and little of content.

Meanwhile, I try to enjoy the luxury that KL has to offer me. It's easy to enjoy. And it's not a hard task to forget about all the inconveniences.

How I wish I could have someone next to me who would understand my hopes and wishes. I don't complain, life has been good to me. But one always aimes for the better, right?