holidays

Thanks, Malaysia

Dear Malaysia,

Despite the long flight,

the seven hour time difference,

the heat,

the humidity,

the heavy traffic,

and the unexpected cold I caught,

we have had a wonderful holiday and a memorable experience. 

The people we met were kind, respectful, and content.

Your food was a bit different, but there are always alternatives.

And nature is another story. 

When one walks along those big parcs, they feel lost in their beauty:

the high trees,

the colourful flowers,

the cute birds,

the funny squirrels,

the small ponds,

the big rivers,

and those skyscrapers hills.

How funny the monkeys “keep your distance” sign looks in the parks.

The sight of some crossing the road or climbing the trees would make you laugh, even if you’re not a monkey fan.

And those long lizards crawling out of the green bushes would give you a jump.

What else you have been storing for your visitors, Malaysia?

Oh yes, you still have plenty:

the beautiful mosques with their unique, authentic architecture,

the holy Quran printing centre, which is the second largest in the whole world. 

the river cuises,

the big shopping malls, 

the cute cat cafe,

the coconut buns,

the frozen yogurt,

and the boiled sweetcorn cobs that I haven’t tasted in ages.

I know you, Malaysia,  have more beautiful treasures, but that’s all we could see on our holiday.

Perhaps we can see more next time.

Thanks again for the kind hospitality.

With summer-holidays-thoughts,

Nahla 

 

Just writing

A Plat For Two

Imagine the portions you eat at home and the ones you eat out.

No comparison.

Not because the food you eat at home is less,

but because what you eat at home can be plenty, and for far less expenses.

You actually pay far too much at restaurants.

Of course, the food may taste nicer and look fantastic. 

And yes, you feel relieved and relaxed,

for you don’t have the burden of preparing, cooking and cleaning.

Still, your mind can’t help doing the math.

Everything has a double price hidden behind the smile and warm welcome of the catering staff.

On one of those few precious warm April days, we went to for lunch outside.

Everything looked nice and clean, and the location of the restaurant was really nice.

My daughter ordered pizza, which I believe was a good, money wise choice.

My husband and I were craving fish.

The plat we both liked offered a variety of fish; prawns, cod, salmon, oysters, smocked sardine, along with vegetables in a cream sauce and some bread.

Isn’t it mouthwatering?

I suggested that we can share the plat.

My husband agreed, though doubted it would enough and thought it might be a good idea to have a side or two.

I insisted it would be fine since I’m not much of an eater.

My husband nodded, but added two sides anyways, just in case 

I surrendered.

Our order arrived with a divine aroma and a fantastic presentation.

But then the real fun began.

The  plat turned out to be a big bowl, full of creamy sauce that looked like a wide white sea with tiny, different kinds of fish. 

I grabbed my fork and imagined it was my fishing rod. It was easy to catch those tiny swimming portions, really easy.

They tasted yummy, but in a blink our Bismillah and Alhamdulilaah ( our food blessings) were done, and every tiny piece had disappeared.

If it weren’t for the two sides and the leftovers from my daughter’s pizza, we would have been starving.

It’s funny to share a plat, but only if you’ve ordered plenty of sides.

Otherwise, you’re better off saving your money and eating at home.

With sharing-a-plat thoughts,

Nahla