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May 26, 2006
playing batu tujuh
today, since the family i'm staying with has relatives coming to visit, i move out of the kampung and into a hostel near the downtown. at first i was sort of guiltily looking forward to this, since it will mean a lot more freedom, in terms of general etiquette rules (in the kampung, for instance, it's not polite to stay out during the call to prayer, a rule that isn't necessarily followed when people are in town), and also since while i am staying with a family they feel responsible for my safety, so i have to be extra careful not to be out late or do anything they might think is dangerous. and for a foreign girl this is a pretty extensive list and maybe not always based on any real danger. here's one example: if i am out traveling anywhere alone, i have been warned that i should never ask any men or Chinese people (Penang is i think 60% Chinese by the way) for directions
of course, though, in the past few days as it gets closer and closer to the time i have to leave i've started to feel like maybe i'm finally getting the hang of things here, and am getting a little less shy and even maybe making some friends in the neighborhood. so although if i'm staying in a hostel i might be able to stay out later and wear short sleeves, i won't have anyone to "makan sirih" with (this is a leaf that people chew wrapped around a pinang nut mixed with lime and some sort of tree sap i think that turns your mouth bright red when you chew it all mixed together--it isn't really popular in Malaysia anymore except at weddings and stuff like that, but last night i got to "makan sirih" with the grandmother in the family i'm staying with) or be able to play "batu tujuh" (a game like jacks that i learned the other day from one of the kids in the neighborhood)
Posted by diparker at May 26, 2006 02:44 AM
Comments
i just read in national geographic that this "makan sirih" causes horrendous mouth cancer, but is nevertheless being marketed, in brightly colored packaging, to children. new diseases to fret about! i miss you, diana.
i send my affection. tricia
Posted by: tlburmei at June 6, 2006 04:50 PM
That sounds pretty cool. Is that the same thing as chewing betel? I want to try it, but I hear it stains your teeth and is a higly addictive stimulant. I think everyone used to do it in Southeast Asia, but I know here in Thailand, the King at some point mandated that it could no longer be part of the national identity because it was not a 'modern' practice. Don't quote me on that.
Posted by: maxkar at June 27, 2006 07:30 AM
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