one day in traditional Japanese kimono

While traveling in Japan I have visited Kyoto. Kyoto is a fantastic city with infectious cultural vibe. People even from Japan go there to experience Japanese traditions. One way of letting oneself immerse completely in the culture is of course to wear traditional clothes, in this case it is of course a kimono.

I have rented kimono for a whole day and got a bit of makeup and hairstyle done to create a coherent look.
I wasn't alone. Kyoto is a city filled with people wearing kimonos. It was a great experience and brought me closer to people around me.
I am glad I did it.

Kimono is still worn to special occasions like weddings, birthdays, etc.

Pakistani culture in Malaysia

Working with Pakistani boys in Malaysia gave me an opportunity to learn a bit about their culture. I am very grateful for that.

Very  quickly Biryani became my favorite dinner dish.
Biryani is a rise with ginger sauce and red chicken baked on fire!
Mniam!
(there are many versions of Biryani but generally its rise is fried or cooked separately from a thick sauce)

In one of cafeterias around the Universiti Teknologi Petronas one can get very nice Pakistani breakfast. It is very filling, and oily, but I like it a lot.

Cafeteria.

As a change to Malaysian Nasi Lamak I got to like also Pakistani food for breakfast.

Breakfast.

I got a present from a friend from Karachi, Pakistan. A modern version of traditional Pakistani outfit Kurti made by Sheep.

I have worn my Kurti to university, because after hours we planned to eat Raya dinner together with other students and professors from my department (Raya at university).

I have used my friend's scarf as dupatta, I wear it across shoulders which is a typical way of wearing it. One can easily wear Kurti as a shirt over jeans - and that is what I did.

A useful tip (that is probably only new to me) how to wash clothes like cotton Kurti. First of all hand wash, second of all if after washing you realize some unevenness in coloring then add a bit of vinegar to the next washing.

juices to try in Malaysia

I have tried a lot of different drinks in Malaysia that I have never tried before.

Bandung - milk flavored with rose syrup - very sweet but nice with a lot of ice, pink in color.

Jagung - milk flavored with corn syrup - as for me way too sweet, orange in color.

Sirap - just a rose syrup.

WARNING! Never take them without a lot of ice! They just way to sweet for that.

Teh - tea is mostly served with sweet condensed milk, can be hot or cold. Also very sweet.

In Malaysia they like to add different fruits or seeds or jellies to their water or teh or juice or soda.

Some of my favorites are:

(1)
Rose Lemon Iced Tea from La Kaffa! I even liked the jellies they add to it: black balls and long white stripes.

(2)

Barli (eng. barley) - hot water with barley, lime and sugar - perfect for cooling down not only on hot days but also when you catch a fever.

(3)

A great drink is also a watermelon juice with lychee or longan fruits.

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WARNING: Fresh orange juice might also come as a surprise. It is mostly not pressed but blended orange, only one per glass, with a lot of water, ice and sugar. But if you ask nicely you might get two oranges and no sugar, but it might not happen... no need to get angry just try again next time.

Generally it seems like there is no amount of sugar in Malaysia that could make a drink to sweet for them, but I couldn't enjoy some of drinks because of it.

My tip is that wherever you go ask for NO Additional SUGAR. Your drink will be crazy sweet no matter what but you might avoid a heart attack.

 Also pick you jellies wisely because some of them are very sweet, as for me way to sweet.

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And here are some commercial products worth trying:

Generally any drink you get in Malaysia if it should be cold drink it very cold, because went it will get warm... and it can get warm very fast in Malaysia it will be same awful experience as drinking warm coca cola.

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When I came back to Denmark from Malaysia I found a small surprise in 7Eleven. 

Bubble drinks came to Europe. 

Nice, but still nothing comparing to the choice of fun stuff one can add to drink in Malaysia!

Malay wedding

I have attended first Malay wedding. It was organized at home.

It is typical to have an available karaoke for guests.

It was a lunch-time wedding reception.

Typical souvenir for guests traditionally contain an egg.

I had an honor to serve just married couple for a bit.

This is used when parents bless the couple.

One more souvenir and one more egg. Btw. those orange chips are really good!

Night Market

Just before Aidilfitri (the Malaysian name for holiday after fasting - Ramadan) I went with a friend for a night market in Ipoh. There is a lot of scarves and traditional Malaysian clothes for reasonable and negotiable price. One can get there also foot massage, shoes, accessories and more.

I've got in my opinion very beautiful scarf for just 15 MYR (5 USD).

It was the last day of Ramadan so me and my friend went also to mamak stall (The Malaysian Mamak are Tamil Muslims of malaysian nationality, the word 'Mamak' is from Tamil term for maternal uncle, but in malaysia is also used for auntie). I got a cup of teh (tea) and roti tissue - crispy pancake with melted sugar inside and poured with condensed milk - MNIAM!

hair style fitting Baju Kurung

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri :)

One of my good Malay friends has lent me Baju Kurung (traditional Malaysian outfit). 

I didn't want to cover my hair with beautiful scarf since I haven't been doing it any other days.

However, I really wanted to look special during Eid ul-Fitr (or Malaysian Aidilfitri).

I was visiting my friend's whole family house by house and I wanted to pay my respect as much as I could.

I have decided on some special hairstyle and here are some photos how my wish was becoming true in a hairdresser salon - since I am not the best in styling my hair.

Seems like this shade of yellow makes my eyes appear to be blue, but they're not.

Lets get started.

Getting two buns.

Refreshing curls and I am ready.

I've never thought that yellow will fit me so well. I am now on a quest to get something in this sunshine color, because it makes my eyes look blue.
At least people were all the time commenting on my blue eyes.
Well, my eyes are weird color not really blue, not really green, and not really gray...
But apparently yellow dress makes them pretty, and that is all I need to justify another shopping trip ;)

On a road.

I think they should always test make-up in Malaysia or countries with similar climate. 

If you really do not get shiny skin, and your make-up do not decay after few hours in conditions of that sort then it is really worth your money. 

I mean anything works with always cool Denmark ;)

Anyway, my cheap Maybelline foundation didn't embarrassed me but my nose was quite shiny all the time ;)

Mango-Apple Tree.

A traditional Malaysian house.

It was a fun-filled day.

After family time, I changed and went to see a movie "Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters". It is ok movie, but not even near to get onto a "must see list".

When I got to bed I slept like a baby... it was a great day!

Eid Mubarak!

hopping on a train to Kuala Lumpur

For some reason I find myself very often going somewhere spontaneously. This time I decided to join a friend on his trip to Kuala Lumpur (KL). I've packed within an hour, put my hair up and run down to a taxi.

My ultimate best sandals ever were an obvious choice (honestly I have no idea what I am going to do if they fall apart?!), and some comfort clothes for sitting in the train and, as it occurred later, watching a movie in theater (The Man of Thai Chi - I liked it, but I would recommend it only to those that can appreciate martial arts) and getting a beer in a pub with a life music.
btw. It was my first and last beer in Malaysia.

I also met two new great friends that night, and one of them would help me not once when I got into trouble in KL. A life lesson is: stay tuned good people are around you!

Nasi Biryani (India).

In front of Pavilion.