Kuala Lumpur - Mon, March 1, 2004
___ Evening In my room___

After many false starts, and conflicting directions from well meaning locals, I finally found my hotel. I recharged most of my batteries (metaphorically and literally)... courtesy of stuff I bought today (new electrical adaptor, shampoo, talcum, face powder) and a fabulously thorough scrubbing and cool shower. I was glad that the bizarre looking adapter combinations didn't short anything out, or otherwise fry my expensive digital equipment.

Well, it's time to forage the streets for dinner. My appetite couldn't keep up with my intriguing culinary opportunities today. There were many locals only haunts I was loathe to skip. But, considering my penchant for traveling in circles, I'm bound to run into at least one of them again! I hope to find a fellow traveler to share a meal with... it would cut down on the intimidation factor of being an outsider, especially as a woman alone that doesn't speak the language. I feel safe (mostly), though I feel awkward and a little lonely. Where's Chantal?

Oh... I almost forgot to mention. My first night here, the young owner of the downstairs reggae bar leapt at the opportunity to engage my services as a muralist and web designer. I'm afraid the exchange rate is NOT in his favor... especially since he's made noises about his thin profit margin. I gave him free advice, and put off all decisions with the understanding I was WAY too tired to consider new business on only 2 hours of sleep in 30 hours. The fact that he didn't pick up my overpriced dinner tab of fried rice and bottled water didn't bode well!