Calling all chocolate lovers...

While in Rome, I stayed in Trastevere. It is a district in Rome that is actually said to be one of the old neighbourhoods in Rome. But, if you ask me everywhere in Rome is an old neighbourhood. Trestevere is a place that they say travellers fall in love with. From it's cobblestone streets to the hanging laundry inbetween the buildings, Trastevere is rich in pubs, restaurants and clubs as well as many small stores. This week however it has been populated with chocolate. Yes. Chocolate. And every kind of chocolate you can imagine.

The Chocolate Festival in Trastevere, although not huge did pack a pretty big punch if you ask me. Rows and rows of chocolate, dark, light, white, with nuts with no nuts, in the shape of shoes, cameras, tools and yes even teeth.

And so of course we did have to sample a few of the delectable goodies.

No, this isn't a garage or workshop, it's all chocolate!

Chocolate truffles!

Trying out the chocolate!

Heading to Rome...

I'm going to Italy! Yes. Italy. The land of wine, pasta, cheese, well...all things good really....I think I should have been Italian....then maybe just maybe I would have an excuse as to how much bread I like to eat. But this trip will be different. I will be going to visit my Momma who is there with her husband. They are spending over three months there and I get to take advantage of it. Yeah me! If you want to check out their travels, visit,
http://www.fuzzytravel.com/nancyandluigi/28256-life-rome.html

So, currently I am in the capital city of west Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur with Ridley's Mom and sister. We plan to do a lot of shopping over the next few days till I fly to Rome.

Have I said how lucky I am to be able to travel around the world...but not just travel, I get to see places with such great people. I. Am. Lucky.

Toast and tea, hold the milk and sugar please...

So, recently I was sick. Not homesick. Sick. But, let's be honest whenever I get sick I do get a wee bit of homesickness. Let's face it. Nothing worse than being sick, than being sick away from home.

The kind of sick I endured was where you aren't sure if you are going to get sick or just sit there with a twinge of nausea. My diet for about three or four days didn't consist of much other than 100 plus (Malaysia version of Gatorade) and crackers. Of course I was sick over the weekend, but tried my best to pull through. I went out for breakfast, and had toast with tea. I asked for tea with no milk or sugar. I got tea with milk and sugar. After that I stayed housebound, laid on the couch, with my 100 Plus and crackers while watching mostly cooking shows. Not sure if that helped with the nausea but it was in English.

Even though I was sick, I am still very lucky. I am lucky I am staying at a place where I am treated like I am home.

Thank goodness.

So fried...

Who knew that deep fried vegetables would equal dessert. But interestingly enough it does. This was the second time I was treated to 'dessert' and it is delicious. However, let's be honest I am a fan of french fries, anything crispy like potato chips so it is only fair to say that I would like Kueh Campur. The sweet potato, yam, shrimp cake and tofu all deep fried then dipped in a chili or sweet sauce with peanuts is definitely a dessert.

Kueh Campur

I was also treated to the "Spe-Cial". Yes. That's what it's called the "Spe-Cial".

The "Spe-Cial"

And in the Special it is a combination of shaved ice, grenadine, sweetened or condensed milk, jelly and corn. On a hot day, which most of the days around here are hot, the Special does the trick. It sounds like an interesting combination to probably most North Amercians but it is a must try here in Malaysia. It is generally referred to as Ais Campur. "Ais" is a Malay spelling of the English word "Ice". "Campur" means "mix". There are many combinations of Ais Campur including the "Spe-Cial".

Distance...

One would think that when you are half way across the world from your family and friends that things would be different. You can't see them when you want to. You can't get a hug from them when you need to. You are in different time zones and can't pick up the phone and talk to them whenever you want.

One of my besties reassured me that it doesn't matter where you are, that family is, well just family. And not that just family means anything but the fact that no matter where you are, no matter what you are doing, your family is there. Yeah, they might not be physically beside you. They might not live next door and you might not be able to pop over for a quick visit whenever you want. But, it doesn't matter. What matters is that no matter what, they are still there.

My friends and family mean the world to me. They are my world. And even though I am thousands of miles away from them all, I feel like they are still right beside me.

The simple things...

So the last couple of days I have learned a few things about me, about life in Malaysia and about the simple things.

I've called Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia home for about 10 days. Not a long time, but I have big plans. I still don't know how to drive but have become a bit braver. I drove home from town last week. Well, from the edge of town really. So basically I was on the main road. No stop lights. No turns. Just straight, well maybe a few curves, but nonetheless I drove. And on the wrong side or should I say the right side of the road. I was proud. Now I just need to brave the in-town streets. That will be another feat. You see, the driving is different here than in Canada. One example is people, from what I can tell, park in what they call parking lanes. Really, a parking lane. Just envision a street with side parking, then next to it there are cars parked in a traffic lane. I have learned that these cars are only parked momentarily, and everyone just drives around them. Really, I just don't get it. And there are a lot of bikes, and they aren't just for singles either. One day I actually saw a family of four on a two-wheeler. Yes, papa and momma and two wee ones, and by wee ones I am talking about a toddler and a little baby. This made me realize that I am lucky. To see a mother holding her baby with her toddler sitting in between her and her husband while they drive around town, well it just made me realize how fortunate some of us really are. Someone said that maybe I should just get a bike. Uhm, yeah, no. They are aggressive drivers here or I guess for them it's just normal. For me I think I would be frustrating for the locals. See I would be what we could call at home an old bitty driver, or maybe that's just what I call them. Yes, you know the ones with white hair and can barely see over the steering wheel, ok in simple terms, a grandma driver. Yes. That would be me. Except I can see over the steering wheel and I don't have white hair. Well, maybe one day I will brave the streets and live to tell about it.

Recently, I also ventured to the post office. Yes. By myself. Ok, well I was dropped off and picked up so I didn't actually get there by myself but I went in by myself, that counts for something. And purchased stamps. I told the nice teller, "Can I buy some stamps for postcards to send to Canada." She asked me"You want postcards." I said, "No, just stamps." "How many do you want," she said. "How much," I responded. "50 cents." I bought six. That's $3 Ringgit or about $1 Canadian dollar. To send six postcards to lucky recipients back home. Cheap. Cheap.

I also received an email in response to an inquiry to volunteer for a children's organization in Malaysia. I was so proud I finally found an organization on-line so I quickly emailed them to ask about any volunteer positions. This was the response I received:

"We would have loved to have you help us with some work. Unfortunately our projects in East Malaysia focusses on detention issues. As such, access to such facilities are limited to our colleagues who have been given special permission from the government. We do not have a base in East Malaysia. We only travel to East Malaysia from the West as and when our Relapse Prevention workshops for young offenders and detention officer's training are being held."

Oh dear. What did I try and sign myself up for. Note to self: always thoroughly read through all information prior to signing up for anything, volunteering included. So, I am not going to look into volunteering for a non-profit animal welfare group. And, instead of bringing home 10 needy children, I'll be trying to export 10 dogs and cats. Sigh.