Settling into Malaysian life

Hotel Gal sees the world

Selamat siang (good afternoon) from Kuala Lumpur! A lot has happened since my last post; for starters, I got a job … and an apartment!

Just to give you an idea of what I do…

After settling into KL life, Kim and I both had a few interviews lined up. I scored on my third interview with a hotel close to the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) – letʼs call it Hotel Bintang*. Youʼre ʻlookingʼ at their new Housekeeping Attendant! Itʼs a pretty swanky business hotel and I just have to clean the guest rooms. Itʼs not glamorous, but itʼs pretty much the only job available which didnʼt require learning Malay!

Fun times

The people here are unbelievably friendly. They have the biggest smiles and itʼs impossible not to smile back when they turn on the charm – I come home with sore cheeks, for real. There are a few other foreigners in housekeeping with me – Martin from Germany, Ashley from the States, and Jess from Ireland. Thereʼs also Sofea and Ahmad, who are locals. Itʼs been great having a few friendly faces to trade jokes with, and the days have just been flying by.

Our home away from home!

Kim and I now live in the PWTC area, which is super convenient for me since I can walk to work. Kim got an Assistant Kitchen Helper job in the KLCC, which is the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, so she takes public transport to work – the KTM Commuter or the Rapid KL Light Rail Transit (LRT). Luckily theyʼre practically on our doorstep, so she doesnʼt have to travel far either.

The area weʼre in has quite a young vibe – lots of students and young foreigners like ourselves, probably because the universityʼs nearby, so there are lots of affordable condos around here. Weʼve got quite a good deal – we each rent a room (itʼs a three bedroom condo) and our flatmate is a local, Chris. Heʼs really cool, and has been showing us around in our free time.

Putra World Trade Centre

Getting settled

Whatʼs awesome about the condominium is that it has a shared swimming pool, a small gym, and a tiny convenience store (a bit like a tuck shop). Weʼre not far from the shopping mall either though, so weʼre really sorted.

We were sad to say goodbye to Hotel KL* but you can only eat so many buffet breakfasts… Plus itʼs nice having my own space. Iʼve got my room all set up, and have been spending a lot of time in Chinatown doing some budget shopping!

The Petronas Twin Towers

Iʼm slowly getting the hang of finding my way around. I mostly use public transport or walk everywhere. KLʼs quite a green city with lots of parks, which I hadnʼt expected. In every spare moment we get, weʼve been on a sightseeing mission – MUST SEE EVERYTHING!!!

So far Iʼve ticked off the Petronas Twin Towers and skybridge, the KLCC park, the Suria KLCC mall, the Petrosains Science Centre, Chinatown, Kampung Baru, the Batu Caves, and lots lots more. But thatʼs a story for another time…

* Not its real name