have already published my previous post to Blog4FT and now drafting another blog while waiting for the rain to subside. I am not sure whether I can finish and publish this blog before my laptop battery runs out.Pertama Complex is one of the earlier shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur. When I was not yet a KLite this Pertama Complex is a must visit whenever I come to Kuala Lumpur. Another shopping complex is the Campbell Complex not far away from Pertama.
I am now sitting facing the Bangunan MARA and some new development is going on. The signage says its another projecr by MARA and the contractor is Pembinaan Jaya Zira Sdn. Bhd. It is the Kompleks Perdagangan Persada Putra (MARA). MARA has been so synonym to Malay and Bumiputra businessmen in helping them to face tough competitions from other established enterpreneurs. This Bangunan MARA is a symbol of Malay enterprise in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
At the site of this construction was the point where Mara Express buses from other parts of peninsular Malaysia made their stops. In 1973, when I was called for an interview to enter teacher training college at Kota Kinabalu, this is where I disembark and greeted by my cousin who stays in Petaling Jaya. He was an undergraduate at University Malaya then. I can still visualise clearly the day that is considered as my first time I step foot on Kuala Lumpur soil.
Then the next day we walk along Jalan Ampang right up to the Rubber Research Institute building where the Sabah Liason Office was for the interview. We had to walk all the way because my cousin too, do not know where the RRI is and we did a countdown of the address.
The second time I came to Kuala Lumpur was a few years after that and stayed a budget hotel and I can still remember the name "Beautiful Hotel" along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, somewhere near Chow Kit. Being so ignorant, I did not know the hotel house prostitutes too. I came to know only when night fall and hear footsteps outside. Then only I could see Chinese women, sitting on stools outside the rooms and a few men walking around. Hahaha....If its today, they might think that I am a gay prostitute plying my trade at cheap hotels to make end meets. Those were the days.
Between 1976 and 1980, I became quite familiar with the Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz area and I will stay at Merdeka Hotel, Lorong Hj Hussien 2 on transit while travelling to and from Kota Kinabalu. The rate was RM10.00 per night.
In 1992, I was undergoing specialist teacher training at Institut Perguruan Darul Aman in Jitra, Kedah and during that same year, I took a Diploma in Fitness and classes were held at Malaysian Olympic Council on Jalan Hang Jebat. Since I was on a tight budget, I turn out to be like a vagrant in Kuala Lumpur. I have to come to Kuala Lumpur for three times during the school holidays to attend class. On my first visit, I stayed at a backpackers hostel at Jalan Pudu Lama for three nights sharing rooms with foreign backpackers. It was a bed and breakfast hostel.
However during my second visit, I did not stay at the bed and breakfast anymore. I leave my luggage at the left luggage service in Puduraya for RM 1.50 per day. I only carry one piece of clothes that I am going to wear for the day. I attend class from morning to evening and at night I sleep at an enclave next to the escalator to Maybank Tower. Woke up before the Suboh prayer and walk to Mesjid Negara to bathe and pray before attend class at MOM. Thats my routine for the whole duration.
Another memory was that the Hari Raya Aidil Adha falls between class and I couldn't go back to Alor Setar because it was a one day holiday. So I spent my Hari Raya Aidil Adha at Puduraya not feeling any Aidil Adha excitement at all.
I became a KLite on 1st April 1995 when I report for duty at my present organisation. My home was at a rented house cum hostel at AU3 Keramat. My room was shared with three other room mates. Now when I go back to AUe Keramat, most things have changed. The area has been developing.
In 1992, I was undergoing specialist teacher training at Institut Perguruan Darul Aman in Jitra, Kedah and during that same year, I took a Diploma in Fitness and classes were held at Malaysian Olympic Council on Jalan Hang Jebat. Since I was on a tight budget, I turn out to be like a vagrant in Kuala Lumpur. I have to come to Kuala Lumpur for three times during the school holidays to attend class. On my first visit, I stayed at a backpackers hostel at Jalan Pudu Lama for three nights sharing rooms with foreign backpackers. It was a bed and breakfast hostel.
However during my second visit, I did not stay at the bed and breakfast anymore. I leave my luggage at the left luggage service in Puduraya for RM 1.50 per day. I only carry one piece of clothes that I am going to wear for the day. I attend class from morning to evening and at night I sleep at an enclave next to the escalator to Maybank Tower. Woke up before the Suboh prayer and walk to Mesjid Negara to bathe and pray before attend class at MOM. Thats my routine for the whole duration.
Another memory was that the Hari Raya Aidil Adha falls between class and I couldn't go back to Alor Setar because it was a one day holiday. So I spent my Hari Raya Aidil Adha at Puduraya not feeling any Aidil Adha excitement at all.
I became a KLite on 1st April 1995 when I report for duty at my present organisation. My home was at a rented house cum hostel at AU3 Keramat. My room was shared with three other room mates. Now when I go back to AUe Keramat, most things have changed. The area has been developing.
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