last tango in the muddy confluence

kl was named in the mid-nineteenth century by tin prospectors who landed where the klang and gombak rivers met. the name 'kuala lumpur' means 'muddy confluence.' indeed, from the air one can see that all of malaysias rivers run a muddy ruddy brown. this info was provided to me thanks to dear dashing omar, who was proud to rehash some local lore. too bad lonely planet did it first. the gentlemanly thing to do would have been to nod and say 'oh really?' but i was eager to show my displeasure since he was complicit in an unplanned 2 hr walkabout earlier in the evening.

doing laundry and repacking have quickly become familiar rituals. thankfully my bag isnt overpacked, so i can be a bit lax with organizing my inventory. waking at 3:30 am this am to fly out to penang didnt sound so hot, so in an hour or so ill make my way to what ive heard is a confusing and stifling bus station to find a 4-hour coach ride. im there until monday when i depart malaysia altogether for taipei. ill miss kls unpretentious ambition.

my final full day in kl was spent mostly in recoup mode, headache and sniffles my punishment for friday nights debauchery. saturday evening was less obscene (for the most part), giving me the opportunity to sit back and watch other homo asians amuse and perform at kls premier gay venue, liquid. this innocent fun was followed by heady reminders of the comfort of being in darkness with someone intriguing, frenetic thoughts funneled into clumsy words, and feeling nearly overwhelmed with uncertainty. its enough to drive one batty, but with a couple hours perspective its just more evidence that im alive, i guess.