I arrive in Kuala Lumpur ready to wander, ready to walk as long as it takes to find a view to sketch.
My steps lead first to Chinatown, to the great green gate marking the start of Jalan Petaling – or the famous main road of the neighborhood called Petaling Street.
Within minutes of entering, I am indeed ready to keep on walking. Both sides of the crowded road are lined with hawkers, proffering me and a hundred other tourists t-shirts, belts, bags, and at least fifty different watches.
At first, it’s hard to imagine inspiration finding me here.
Where two men stand roasting chestnuts, sifting them through hot coals in a round silver vat, I turn left, trying to escape the commotion. But it’s then that I see them – a perfect row of red Chinese lanterns, strung just above my head from one lamppost to another, glowing like hollowed-out pumpkins.
They alternate in shape between spherical and oblong, perfectly contrasting with the neat square windows of the building behind them, and I’m suddenly reminded of the first time I saw such lanterns.
Ever since visiting Macau three and a half years ago, these lanterns have never failed to fascinate me. I find them incredibly evocative – a symbol, perhaps, that I have truly arrived Elsewhere. I wonder if such symbols exist for all of us, something that always represents just how far we’ve traveled from home, no matter where home may be for each of us.
Here in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, I have to sketch these lanterns, that much I know – but from where? Finally I spot a shop, a small drinks and ice cream stand with just two red plastic tables out front, two square yellow umbrellas overhead, and a killer view of my beloved Chinese lanterns.
What’s more, they serve bubble tea – a favorite drink of mine I’ve yet to have again since returning to Southeast Asia. I order one, chew contentedly on the round tapioca beads at the bottom of the milky drink, and get to work.
Soon after I begin, a woman with a British accent but of Middle Eastern origin, hijab scarf covering her head, stands over my shoulder and studies the sketch I did in Singapore. I tell her about my plan to spend six weeks sketching around Asia.
“That’s wonderful,” she says. “You should do a book.”
It’s that kind of moment where the universe seems to affirm the very thing you’ve set out to do.
I smile, thank her, and say, “I am.”
Ah! Thanks for taking me back to Jalan Petaling. I hope you enjoyed KL – It’s truly a fantastic city!
It was my pleasure, Pauline 🙂 And thank you for stopping by tonight! My time in KL was too short but still sweet – I loved the few little glimpses I got of Chinatown, and would love to return one day to explore other parts of the city. It’s great knowing you’ve been to so many of the places I’m currently sketching – I’m glad they’re helping you re-visit them!
It doesn’t matter whether you are writing or sketching; put a pen in your hand and you always create magic. Another beauty my friend. I have a feeling this book of sketches is going to take you to an Elsewhere far greater than you’ve ever dared dream.
Gah, Hannah! Do you ever have days when you wish we were all just back in Colomb Bay, meeting up for sunset drinks at Boomshankar? And yet I love thinking that those few weeks were a chance for us all to gain inspiration and energy from each other for these next journeys we’re all on. I can’t thank you enough for what you said here! Not gonna lie – I’m tearing up a bit here in Japan 🙂
I LOVE lanterns!!! And I totally want some bubble tea now.
Yes!!! Aren’t they just magical? Thanks as always for your comment, Andi!
Have you been to Vietnam? Another great place for lanterns…Saigon, Hoi An, a couple of sketches there! Oh, I must say, I like and second Hannah’s comment above. Could be an interesting time…
Hey Adam! Funny you should mention Vietnam – I am indeed heading there, as it’s my last stop on the Sketching Southeast Asia trip actually. And I’ll be spending all my time in Saigon, working on a magazine sketching feature (as well as a sketch or two for the blog). All of that is to say, I’m stoked to hear lanterns await me there as well! Thanks so much for your kind words, as well – we shall see, ay? 🙂
Hell yes you are! And I can’t wait to see it. Beautiful, as always.
Thanks, Kim!! And how’s your baby coming along?? Wish we could meet up for another book chat soon 🙂 xo
I use to love Petaling Street, now I don’t. Once they spot tourists, they’ll tout like nobody’s business hehe
I definitely know what you mean, Lela – when I first entered the covered area of Petaling Street, I wasn’t sure I’d stick around to sketch, it felt so busy and manic. But as soon as I saw the lanterns and the way they stood out from the building behind them, I decided to stop anyways 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
what do they do with the paper lanterns when it rains?
Great question 🙂 I was just going to say I’m not sure, when I remembered that it actually rained while I was sketching the lanterns. I guess they must be somewhat weather-resistant, but perhaps they change them every once in a while after heavy rains?!