Getting Started II

Today I met with MACEE to get my insurance card and first stipend. Getting the check cashed and a bank account set up was a minor adventure, made much easier by the unfailing helpfulness of people along the way. Help always starts with directions. On average it takes 3 asks - sometimes people only know the general direction or assume that I know what building they are referring to. I started at Citibank to cash my check. I got 5000 ringetts in 50 ringet notes. My next stop was a bank with a branch near USM's campus. I had a letter confirming my status. It was insufficient since it didn't note that my application for a professional visa was in process. The customer services woman called MACEE told them what was needed and had them fax a revised letter. I don't think that it hurt when I told her that I was uncomfortable wander through the city with a packet of money.

The bank's application included the questions as "the most memorable date in my life" and my "favorite person." This goes along with a similar financial application that asked for my favorite pet and favorite holiday. If I have to reproduce the information (other than my favorite day, which I decide was my wedding day) I may have seen the last of my money.

Today I went to the post office. I was puzzled that there were no queues at the window, but there were people sitting on benches. Then I notice a screen flashing a number. A machine near the door lists the services offered at each window. You press the button for the service you want and out comes a ticket with a number. Of course, I needed help - to find the machine and to decide the appropriate service to post a package (answer - purchase stamps). I felt like a veteran when I ran into the same system at the bank.

So far I can endorse Malaysia as easy for tourists. Virtually everyone speaks English, they readily assist a hapless foreigner, and touts are few and not persistent.

Beginning My Love Affair with Asian Food

Today on my way to the nearest mall to learn how to access my voice mail, I found an upscale and decidedly inviting food court. (When in Malaysia or Singapore you can count on finding a food court at the basement level of any mall.) I wonder if Malaysians find themselves eating at the same place, time and again, there are so many options. I opted for a Sarawak laksa from an eatery that specializes in laksa. The laksa was good and close enough to Sarawak’s to satisfy me. Since I anticipate writing a lot about food I’ll drop the subject for now.

Today I went to the National Art Gallery. I was struck by the title of one painting – "Mr. Foreign Spectator Stop Destroying My Country." As I pondered what the title meant I reread it. I was chagrined to see that the artist was denouncing "speculators" not "spectators." Thus ended my feelings of guilt.

Tomorrow I meet the people at MACEE and take the bus to Penang - then my adventures will really begin.

Arrival

Here I am on the other side of the planet. My entry into Malaysia was totally hassle free, which was a total surprise given my last day in the US. Last week I unblocked my VISA and ATM cards so that I could use them in Malaysia. I went on to make a room reservation in Penang. The credit card was blocked 5 times! Doug and I rifled through our file of never used credit cards, found a Master Card, got it unblocked, and I got my room. In between failure and success were long intervals and several calls to the Credit Union. I held my breathe when I accessed the ATM at Kuala Lumpur. The machine performed its usual magic and spit out Malaysian ringitts in less than a minute.



The second US adventure was at RDU, the ticket agent said that I could not board the plane. Her computer screen said that if a return ticket was more than 3 months out a visa was required. She went to see her supervisor who confirmed that I could get a social visa when I arrived in Malaysia. Still, I was amazed that no travel forms were handed out on the plane from Korea to Malaysia. The immigration officer took my passport asked what plane I took into Malaysia and that was all. It makes you wonder what is stored in the computers and who made or cares about the three month rule.


Today I took the monorail to get to the Old Train Station, took a taxi to the Old Train Station, where I bought my bus ticket to Penang, took a commuter train to the Central Train Station, and took the Monorail back. Each piece of the trip required directions - lots of directions. I was very grateful that everyone seems to speak English and virtually everyone knows how to get around. Things fell a bit apart at the end of the day when I realized that I wasn't sure where my hotel was and neither did a 7-11 clerk and several parking lot attendents.



I spent a substantial part of the day with the hotel's maintenance staff to get my computer linked to the Internet - we gave up and decided that somethings weren't meant to be. I also got a SIM card for my phone. My conversation with the clerk about what plan I wanted to buy must have convinced him that I was a complete idiot. I hope that by the time I reach Penang I have gotten on top of all things electronic.

Ready to Go

Here I am in my traveling outfit. The Sweat Shirt says "I'd rather be at . . ." The rest of the shirt gives the coordinates for Kuala Lumpur. Given Charlene's advice I tucked in 2 more scarves - I wish that I her talent for tieing them!

Packing

 I am almost finished with packing - tomorrow night (Wednesday) I will tuck in the various electronics. I have spent more time thinking about electronics than clothes. Address information is scattered in electronic & paper sites, so I have been trying to get my PDA up to date. Doug has updated my laptop - a major project. I have learned how to download & listen to podcast. I will wait before I commit to any regular podcasts. The thought of listening to msnbc commenters several nights in a row makes me crazy. The other electronics are adaptors, surge protector, mobile phone, camera, alarm clock, and hair dryer.

I seem to have less clothing than electronics. Four pairs of slacks (two dress, one reversible, and one casual), five skirts (four brown and one with more going one), seven tops, and two overblouses. I also included a set of work out clothes, swim suit, and very ragged towel (which can be ditched whenever), a backpacking towel, and four pairs of shoes. I am bringing a stash of Obama buttons as very small souvenirs. I am taking one suitcase, an overnight bag, and a computer back. I also threw in two small shopping bags. So, I think that I am set.

For any packing for six months stay tuned and I'll let you know how it all worked out.

Celebrating Friends

Over the years our lives (Doug's and mine) have been made richer by friends throughout the world. We have made friends through structured programs, such as NC State's International Friendship program, our Indonesian teachers (my facility with Indonesia is no reflection on their abilities), former students, and people that we encountered in the course of our journeys. The latter is not unusual considering I met Doug on an air trip from Denpasar, Bali to Singapore.

Each friend has added to our memories and we like to think that they have made us better people as we learn to view the world a little differently.

As I have prepared to start my Fulbright I have been especially grateful for all the help and advice I have been given. This morning I rec'd an e-mail offering to help me find accommodations from Leelee's cousin. I shared a house with Leelee in 1985 while I was on sabbatical at Virginia Tech. We had lost contact, but due to the great reach of Google no one is ever entirely lost. Leelee's cousin cc'd her message to a friend who teaches research methods at USM. All this reassures me that settling in will be easier than I anticipated. (I am certain that it was easier to meet people when I was 20 something as I say "when I was young and cute.")

Finding Housing

Finally the housing puzzle has been solved. I comforted myself by remembering that I am an adult and have enough experience that I wouldn't end up sleeping on the streets.  International students & visiting scholars often have to find housing after they arrive in Raleigh, and I have heard no horror stories. MACEE staff reasonably pointed out that it is hard to choose housing for people whose tastes may vary widely.  Mooi Lian, my friend in Kuching, and Doug both found information that temporary housing should be available through the university. (I also  included in messages that I sent to people in Malaysia a request that they let me know if they had an ideas about finding housing.) 

I had concluded that waiting until I arrived would be fine. Fortunately USM staff were more together - they just were operating on a different schedule. Closer to Just-In time information. The USM's Dean's Office is making reservations in the USM Guest House. I can stay there for the five months I am in Penang.  It seems perfect - on campus and close to advice & information. Besides I figure that my laptop won't sprout legs and walk off.

Pictures of Home

I am testing out my blogging skills and linking photos - with limited success. Here are pictures of Doug with one of his boats, our two year old cat Elektra, and my car. Doug gets use of the car and all the accompanying attention while I am away.

Things fall into place (slowly)

Over the past fews I have been a regular caller to MACEE (Malaysian American Commission on Education Exchange). Apparently the process was made even slower b/c e-mails from MACEE to me weren't reaching me. We got an international calling card through
NobelCom.com At $0.03 a minute calling often was easy.

I am leaving Raleigh on June 26 at 9:19 a.m. and arrive in KL on June 27 at 11:45 p.m. (11:45 a.m. EDT) - a 26 hour trip. Right now I have a middle seat from Atlanta to Korea - I am glad that I am spending 2 entire days in KL with no obligations. I am counting on using those two days for recovery time. I will leave KL sometime on the 30th and take a bus to Penang. A bus seems like much less of a hassle than going to the airport, and another opportunity to get a few hours of sleep.

I have started to contact people that I wrote while I was preparing my application. I have heard from one woman on the faculty at Shah Alam, close to Kuala Lumpur, suggesting that I could visit campus and talk about the election!

I still don't have too many details about Penang. I have a friend asking about lodging and I may ask others for their ideas and opinions. As far as getting my research going I think that waiting until I arrive and actually meet people and trade idea seems best.