The Old Penang...

... continued from previous post.

When we take our kids out jalan-jalan, it's usually to the malls, to those sterile and artificial and pseudo world. True, everything looks really nice, classy and glassy (and also expensive in many cases), but it feels so encased... mummified, sometimes. Hence, this venture turned out to be something of a reminder of the old ways....

Anyway, this slightly different outing was made possible because we were out bag hunting... Jusco had limited choices. There was a shop with the haversack we wanted but a price that will knock your head off. So, the hunt went out of the sterile buildings into Penang Road and the adjacent areas, places which we've been long time ago but like most overprotective parents, deem them too unhygienic or not clean enough for our kids. However, this area is a treasure trove for bag hunting. You can find all sorts of bags at reasonable prices; plus other stuff as well.

This is the not so new Penang, where businesses operate from standalone shops and stalls. One, which I feel enabled us to experience the old world ... well, at least the world that I used to know as a kid and one that is rather foreign to my kids. It was quite an interesting trip.. this is like Little China and Little India put together.... 8)

These Indian kuih smelled really wonderful. They were tasty too. Of course some might complain that the oil used for frying is somewhat 'overused' but it's not everyday we eat it.

Fruits on sticks... not exactly a very 'hygienic' display what with the heavy traffic. But we got ourselves some jackfruits on stick anyway. 8)

Wondering around certainly was not as comfortable as the mall but it filled us with different sights and sounds too. And of course the humidity. Son said it was crazy to go such places in long pants...... (see what I mean - he's a creature of comfort)

Food is what most of us seem to live for... everywhere where food is supposed to be good, you'll find crowds of people who will brave the humid weather.... even just for a bowl of cendul, which you eat standing by the road side. LOL! It's most uncomfortable but people just came in droves. I've not eaten here for a while... the cendul is not as good as it used to be. I think James' cendul in Sitiawan beats this hands down now. The taste seems a little artificial now... I was told by Other Half on our way home that they use red beans from cans now.

We also wandered into the Chowrastra Bazaar since it was just down the road. Secondhand book stalls! They actually sell new books there as well... at a discount. Got some books for both kids.... would have cost me double or more for the same thing at bookshops like MPH or Borders.

Penang should spruce up such places. They have the potential to rival or equal places like Little India or Little China in Singapore which are crowd pullers but overly commercialized.