Friday Dance Contest

We hope to post a video last this evening -- but we were walking through the city -- after Ziaful found us on the street and took us to the Pavilion. However, we found a dance contest which was being aired on some tv station -- Malaya MTV?? Hilarious -- they did a mirror effect which apparently is the move for the Malaya

Tour of the KL Towers

We toured the KL towers on Thursday night and were fortunate enough to go on the second level of the bridge - which is a privilege many are not fortunate to do, the last Americas to have a tour of the KL Towers from the 2nd level of the bridge - was the the Director of the FBI

View from inside of the bridge of Tower II

View from Joan and Rich's apartment during the amazing rainstorm

Thoughts while watching one of the craziest thunder/lighting storms I have ever seen.

- The jungles of Malaysia are amazing. It changes so quickly from city to jungle, and the monkeys here as seen by the many photo's are pretty sweet.
- The cultural statues and monuments are really something. Although I am obviously don't agree with most of what they stand for, it is very interesting to see the culture and history of the Malay and Indian people.
- So far the food has been great and not been a problem at all and is so cheap. (Mom, the cockroach thing wasn't that bad....don't let Cat's post from this morning freak you out...)
- I have found ESPN on satellite......

Todd

Malaysia 101 -- as from Ziaful our knowledgeable and trustworthy driver
Our first stop was the Batu Caves - which was incredibly beautiful --- as we walked up the stairs we saw the monkeys, and were so happy to see them - after getting to the top and seeing the different Hindu temples, and looking at the amazing beauty of the cave we stopped and bought some peanuts so that we could feed the monkeys, within minutes - word got out and we were surrounded - however the Sergent (head monkey) of the monkey crew at the Caves was not having it and hissed and chased down any monkey that approached us. The only downfall to the caves was that there was a lot of graffiti and wiring down inside, and we kept talking that a monument in states would never have anything like that done to it. Going through China town was amazing-- however, we did noticed one mostiquo (biker) that was eyeing Nicole's purse, but otherwise fairly safe and interesting at the same time.

Ziaful was amazing - he took us to the national monument, the King's Palace, the Parliament and the jungle -- everything was equally amazing and beautiful in it's own -- we got Malya food with Ziaful - 23 ringet for lunch for four -- so about $6.50 dollars.

I wish that I could write more - but we are off to the Petro towers (after an amazing thunderstorm - similar to the ones in Texas), and then out to some Malya bars with Jerad, Nicole and Todd!!!

Thinking of all of you -- Sandy and Kimmy - thank you for keeping up with our blog - I am so sorry that we have not written until now.

Love,
Catherine

My turn--quickly . . . I second all that Catherine wrote so articulately above. For me it is taking in all the foreign sights including trees, animals, people, and so much more. To hear Ziaful talk about his culture and the life he leads in KL is a breath of fresh air . . . there are more similarities in comparing our lives, than there are differences. Commonalities . . . new experiences . . . and sharing a city with 4 people I adore. It is so nice to be in the arms of Mom and Rich . . . being a child embraced by a parent . . . and to communicate with those who have known you the longest and love you for your who you are:) Love is in the air . . . and I am loving it!
Eyes are the windows to the soul . . .
Nicole (Colee)

Jungle and Monkeys

Our friend Zaiful took us to the jungle outside of the city so that we could see the monkeys in their natural habitat -- if you are wondering we love monkeys. They ate the peanuts out of our hands, and the chips off the ground!

King's Palace

Zaiful our Malaysian friend and tour guide of his culture and home!!

National Liberation Monument

Peddlers Market -- China Town

Batu Caves part Deux

Todd Nicole and Catherine inside of the Batu Caves

Hindu temple

The staircase up to the caves -- 276 stairs

Catherine Todd and Hindu God

Batu Caves -- (i.e. Rock Caves) MONKEYS

although there were many things to see at the Batu caves we were enthralled by monkeys running wild throughout the 270 steps. We bought penuts at the top of the stairs and were eventually surrounded by monkeys fighting over our affection.

Thursday Morning

It is Thursday morning, and we are all getting ready for Batu Caves, which are about 40 minutes from KL, we have Zaiful (Rich and Joan's driver) today which will be helpful, he is a native to Malaysia -- so he will be a great tour guide. Tonight we will be able to go into the Petros towers with Joan and Rich -- not many tourist get to go into the towers so we are very blessed.

Yesterday we went to Central Market - which is a giant mall of sorts with different shops -- all different types of Malya, Indian, Korean and Japanese shops. We each got some wonderful gifts for our loved ones back home -- it is always interesting that when you travel you typically want to buy something for everyone but yourself. We also went and ate at a Indian restaurant, and had some interesting Chinese food--Nicole saw a cockroach on the wall and I think that she stopped eating after that point. We spent the evening discussing our goals and ambitions with Joan and Rich -- and stared at the beautiful skylight of KL. Nicole's parents have an amazing apartment, on the 29th floor overlooking the downtown and the towers -- absolutely stunning!

Stay tuned to read more about our adventures today -- after we got to the towers we are going out with Jared -- one of the Joan and Rich's friends and co-worker -- so I am afraid that our post may be done after a couple drinks - but hopefully it will be more entertaining that way.

-- Catherine, Nicole and Todd

Incheon, Airport . . . who cares what day it is

Nicole does not like to talk about time zones -- "it is stupid to talk about, because she does not technically believe that it is Monday in Seoul." So in a nut shell it does not matter what day it is, although Todd and I know it is Monday. Nicole is doing handstands on the wood panelled floors, Todd is reading a business book as I sit here and type.

Our day so far has been that we got off of the plane walked around, until we found our breakfast nesting ground for a mere $55 --- after lunch we walked around the airport a little longer, a group of Korean students thought that Nicole and I must have been celebrities because they were waving enthusiastically. We also took showers in "shower room" which cost $6-- only they did not give you flip flops to wear, so I am afraid that we had some awful fungus and thus used Purell on my feet.

--Catherine

I hope those who are reading this blog will agree with the statement . . .there are more entertaining and interesting topics that aren't dedicated to what time it is . . .AGREE? How about the realization that for the first time in my life I am in a place where English is the second language? I have never, till now, felt the frustration of not having the ability to communicate what I need and want. Also, I have learned that fresh fruit is a luxury and I will forever carry this new knowledge with me . . . next time I am traveling internationally I will be bring dried fruit and nuts to feed my American appetite. I love showers . . .

Nicole

A few thoughts on the trip so far . . .

- The thirteen hour flight was suprisingly fun, good movies+blackjack+free food= time flying.

- Props to the Incheon airport for free wi-fi and the opportunity to watch the hawks lose to cards and officially destroy their season. (Korean Sports Television Programming Director made the tough decision to broadcast the Ulsan Mobis vs Wonju Dongbu Korean Basketball league game over the seahawks.....tough decision I'm sure)
-The number of purses/jewelery for sale has to be close to setting a record for most per/square meter..... I don't think this is a good record.....

Todd

Saturday, Nov. 15 - Flying for 28 hours

Todd Burgers, Catherine Rui Cutlip, and Nicole Keller will be traveling for the first time out of North America and embarking on an adventure in KL, Malaysia. Leaving LAX at 12:55 am, flying for 13 hours to Seoul, Korea where they will have an 8 hour layover, and then continue to KL on a flight for 6.5 hours. When they arrive in KL they will be met by a different culture with different customs, and learn what it is like to live within a Muslim society. Supported by Joan and Richard Adams they will navigate their way through an unfamiliar city, a language they do not understand, and the beauty of a country they have never seen. Stay tuned for updates from all three explorers and view their travels from three different set of eyes.