Bukit Mertajam – Penang, Malaysia

Living between two countries can be wonderful and emotional. It’s wonderful that we have two homes in the opposite side of the world, a  completely different world. I feel often very lucky that I get to taste and experience the diversity of different cultures, lifestyle, landscapes etc. These are experiences that truly enrich my life and strengthen my mind. The downside of living between countries is that when you leave your families in either of this country for another can be emotional. The mixtures of emotions – the sadness, the guilt, the happiness can be overwhelming. Would one give up experiencing the different countries to escape from these emotions? Would it be better that everybody live in the same vicinity?

♥ ♥ ♥

Last month for almost the whole of October, I was in Malaysia to attend a very special occasion – a wedding of a dear friend. Nothing beats seeing the ones you love found love and lead a happy life. This is the second time I went back to Malaysia. The last was  in February 2016 for Chinese New Year. I was in Malaysia for two weeks in February and didn’t manage to do some exploring around but this time I have plenty of time on my plate so there is no reason to stay at home. I wanted to explore the different side of Penang. The side that does not always appear on social medias, blogs or TVs.

Let’s start with my hometown – Bukit Mertajam

Note: 5th – 25th October, 2016

I can’t remember when was the last time I stepped foot in this old market of Bukit Mertajam. A place where we frequent during our school day – the glorious day where this is the market our family goes to get daily groceries, daily supplies, clothing, food  etc. This was the shopping “centre” before malls exist in this town. Ever since I left school and started university, I could not recall a day which I actually walked the roads of the town center. The buildings condition has deteriorated severely leaving no sign of refurbishment. The market has quieten down. There are smaller crowd in the town center, leaving many shop to close. There was a fire in a supermarket years ago which slowed down the businesses around the area. Still, the town looks the same, as though it is gotten older and frozen in time similarly. The memories that flooded my heart when I strolled down the streets are fond. For example; I remember that my grandmother bought me a bag pineapple cookies and I accidentally dropped them on the floor. The smell of meat from the butcher in the alley still smell the same as when I followed my mother to the market some 20 years ago. When I was 12 years old, I went to the market with a friend for two hours at the accessory shop in the corner looking to buy clips for my hair. The cup rice, rojak, laksa, soya milk and roasted duck/chicken still exist. Ironically, a lot has changed and the same time, a lot has not change. I am glad I made the decision to visit the town again and this time, to freeze her in photographs. Love, Frau Hallo x