Allow me some randomness

It's so damn hot in Malaysia. You know the kind of heat that leaves you with a constant layer of sweat, like you are living in a sauna but without the steam. Deodorant is pointless, the clothes need washing after every wearing, and sleeping without a fan is virtually impossible. The kind of heat that makes you want to do nothing but sit in the shade and drink something cold.

Although I've lately come to appreciate the value of hot and spicy food on hot days. That's the wisdom of the ancient Chinese, and it really works. The reason - it makes you sweat more, and sweating is the process by which your body cools itself. So eating that big bowl of killer spicy noodles actually makes you feel cooler. It really works, try it sometime!

And the other joy of the tropics - mosquito bites! Don't even get me started about those. The little bastards love me, and I've run out of my super-toxic-cancer-giving 100% Deet spray from the Army Surplus at home. So I'm stuck with the local stuff, which just does not work. Well, it does, but you have to reapply every 30 minutes. But to mosquitos, I am like a big juicy steak so a little spray of citronella does not deter them for long. Neither does a layer of clothing. It's a constant war I tell you, and right now I am losing.

I have moved hotels and it turned out to be a really good move. Nothing was really wrong with the last place, but I wanted somewhere more social. The one I'm at now has a restaurant/bar in the front, with a house band that plays every night. My room is far enough back so that I can't hear the music at all. The band is pretty good too, and they have a lead singer named Leg that sounds exactly like Tom Waits. He is incredible, and also one of the kindest people I have ever met. When Leg is not singing, he is running around making sure everyone has everything they need. He's like one of those hippie earth mothers who takes care of everyone on instinct. Today he ate breakfast with me and looked at my maps, pointing out all the places that were worth going to on the island and the best way to see them. Then he set me up with a motorbike rental, and paid for my breakfast when I wasn't looking. I will probably end up staying here in Penang longer than I planned, in part because I enjoy staying here so much. It's funny how the guesthouse can make or break your stay in any particular city.

I'm absolutely loving the food here. Chinese and Indian at your fingertips! I had Roti Caan for breakfast today and dim sum for breakfast yesterday. There's a sure sign that you've been in Asia for too long - when Western breakfast no long appeals to you. Forget eggs and toast, give me the noodles any day!