Consumerism

It really felt like coming home this evening. I went into to the main shopping area in the centre and it was hectic. Endless brands and countless huge shopping centres, noise, crowding and traffic. The relative quiet and chilled out vibe of China town was very welcome.

There was a certain irony in the fact the UN advert for the 2030 sustainable development goals was playing on an LED screen in the middle of everything that represents what we're doing wrong : crazy consumerism and big brands that have far too much power, whilst taking little responsibilty. The same advert played on the train as I came in from the airport whilst whizzing past mile after mile of palm oil plantations.

Earlier I visited the business district and the vast wealth displayed there was also staggering. Beautiful park in the middle of it all though.

New food: rendang ayam (dry chicken curry served with sambal) which was incredible, hokkien prawn noodles which turned out to be 3 different kinds of noodles in an almost creamy sauce served with chilli, lime, prawns (expected) and cubes of grey unspecified meat (a surprise, scary, left uneaten).

New transport : monorail. Disconcerting. They lean too much for my liking.