#panama

A DAY IN THE CITY

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

The Sun, seemingly throwing everything it had, every flame flickering and shooting from its source some 93,000,000 (that is 93 million) miles away, yet the flames (imaginary) could be felt, just about touching my skin, as though I was being bar-b-que-d, as I moved out of cover from the protection of the building. There seem to be no letting up from the fierceness of the heat.

I don’t know if it is usually as hot as it is today just to test the Panama hat I had on; on the way to the bank. The hat did offer some cover, especially from the rays (UV) / glare. It worked well, that’s for sure. I’m glad I decided to wear it. For your information, I never paid any attention to the U. V. rays.

I got into the bank with my Panama hat on. The air-conditioning was a delightful welcome. I felt like I was visiting the bank while on holiday. The Panama hat sort of “created” the holiday atmosphere.

I did my banking errand and was out of there in less than half an hour.

Maybe, I was not dressed for the scene: bright sunlight, Panama hat, t-shirt, tan coudoroy pants, glasses, grey banded Samsung Watch 6 Classic and strapped across Bellroy Sling crossbody pouch.

Did I say “t-shirt”? I should have worn a baggy, floral or scribbled colour art, with white background, untucked in, short sleeve shirt. And, I should have worn a sombrero instead of the Panama hat – that would have done the trick. The rest of my attire was OK. I was not with boat shoes without socks. I strapped on a pair of Teva mountain tracking sandals.

Maybe, just maybe, all this is not proper be-in-the-sun attire. I don’t have much issues when I go on my 10km exercise walks between 12.00pm – 3.00pm, averagely; when the sun is in all its glory. I’m in my exercise shorts, t-shirt and walking shoes – that’s it. At the end of my walk, I am drenched in perspiration (not “sweat”. Animals sweat, so I am told). Have a cold shower, rest for a bit; then, I am good to go for the rest of the day.

Here, I am talking about Subang Jaya city (1); the No.3 lightning capital of the world. It can be two extremes – extremely hot and the next moment, electrical storms with the occasional floods.

Putting the weather aside, this is a nice place to live in. In fact, it is so self-sufficient in most aspects of comfortable living, we do not need to travel out of the city for anything.

I am writing this… I wonder if it is actually right to say “I am writing” when actually , I am typing on my laptop computer (I have to mention “computer” 😁) keyboard. I am sitting in the back seat of the car, putting this article together; while Jeannie, my wife; is seated in the front passenger seat, working on her laptop computer. Quite the romantic we are, don’t you think? We think so…thanks to a power outage in our area. Haha.

If the power is not back up in the next ten minutes, we are going to go to the Scottish restaurant, McDonalds, for a coffee, while the utility company, T.N.B. (Tenaga Nasional Berhad) has the power outage problem sorted out.

NOTES:
1. Subang Jaya is a bustling city in the central Peninsula Malaysia south state of Selangor, Malaysia.

AT THE TAJ

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

Whenever we are on our way back from either K.L. or P.J. (1), going towards Subang Jaya, the Federal Highway, heading towards Subang Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang (2) is usually choked with traffic, causing traffic jams which could last for an hour or more. It usually takes us about 40 minutes to an hour just to get to Subang Jaya from P.J., which is only 10km away.

The traffic jam – a permanent feature on this route most times of the day, or night, is no escaping. I heard the news over the radio recently that over 800,000 new motor vehicles were registered last year. Our city roads and highways were not built to cater for the every increasing number of vehicles each year.

So, what do most Malaysians do in traffic jam situations like these? You guessed it – Food! Malaysians love to eat. You think? Restaurants are springing up everywhere. Though prices continue to escalate, restaurants continue to thrive. If more restaurants operate along highways, they give highway and road users more choice of food. They provide a service which is greatly appreciated.

Jeannie and I decided to make a slight, that is a very slight detour and head to The Taj Curry House located in SS12, Subang Jaya. They are across Subang Jaya Medical Centre and the Dorsett Grand Hotel. We usually come here just to break journey from what may be 1 to 2 hours in the car because of traffic jams.

The Taj Curry House is nice and comfortable. One gets to appreciate the air-conditioning especially on very hot and humid days like today. They serve Indian cuisine. The quality of food served here has been consistently good. I wondered if the sweet-looking, “diva-like” waitress would recognise me in this new look, with me wearing my newly acquired Panama hat. Can it be considered a “disguise”?

She did, not immediately. “Is that you, Carlos, the electric guitar player? You shaved your moustache”, she asked. I said, “No, it’s me, Alan, the writer”. “Ooohhh!”, she replied. Why “diva-like”? You will have to meet me and I will tell you. She’s a shy, but nice waitress.

As it was said, the food here was good as usual. The service here is fast. Jeannie ordered one roti canai (3), I ordered two roti canai(s). We also ordered “Limau ais” (though I always say, “Ais Limau”), which is iced lime juice.

With our roti canai which was served on a tray with 3 multi sections, came the usual dhall, fish curry and sambal condiments. Jeannie ordered fried chicken as an additional dish. The fish curry was extra nice today. We enjoyed our meal.

The idea of break journey from long trips or long times spent in the car (even though the distances could be short) is a good idea. Places like The Taj Curry House offers good food at reasonable prices, in a comfortable, relaxing environment. It is one of Jeannie’s and my favourite go-to places when we come into Subang Jaya.

As for me with my Panama hat on, I did have a fair share of glances and looks towards me. Who knows, maybe when we come here the next time, there will be others wearing hats, too.

On a different note, I wonder why people wear dark glasses (shades) inside buildings, even when some of these buildings are poorly lit. I have come to an assumption:
1. They are hiding a black eye.
2. They have rings around their eyes.
3. They don’t have beautiful eyes. (Mine are brown, and they are beautiful😉😁)

Having fun

NOTES:
1. K. L. or Kuala Lumpur is a city in Malaysia.
 P. J. or Petaling Jaya, is a city in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.
2. Subang Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang are cities in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.
3. Roti canai or roti prata, also known as roti chanai, roti chennai and roti cane, is an Indian flatbread dish found in several countries in Southeast Asia.