KL as a tourist city plonked on top of a jungle

It is becoming increasingly apparent that KL is a city plonked on top of a jungle. That revelation continued today at the Lake Gardens (i'll let your imagination run wild - there's not much i can say that explains it any further) but it was prompted by the park in the centre that i've already talked about and Lake Titiwangsa to the North of the city where you have a clear sight over the jagged skyline above the lake. There's a strange photo where,because of the fog, you cannot see the Petronas Towers except for their reflection in the water. It's strange to think about cities like that, like they haven't always really existed. Obviously it's true and if you stopped and thought about it you would know but i feel we take urbanity for granted a little (rather than human impositions on nature), especially in countries we are new to.
Staying so close to Chinatown it can be a little hard to not feel like a tourist. Every time you walk down the street you hear: "Yes, Sir, nice watch for you!" - No, thanks i can't read the time - "Yes, Sir, cool sunglasses for you" - I'm wearing my own! - "Yes, Sir, DVDs for you" - I...only own a VCR player sorry - and the less imaginative "Eat here, Sir" - I've already eaten (then sitting down at the table next door because the menu was better). Having said that, you can get off the tourist crawl just by getting off the main thoroughfares and turning into the places the locals are selling ingredients in a market rather than meals. It's here that you really get a glimpse at the city's soul. People are no longer trying to sell to you (how likely is it that a white man in KL is going to cook their own food when the choice between Chinese, Nonya and Indian food can satiate any cravings not already put to bed by the exotic fruits or chestnuts roasted in an oil barrel full of hot gravel?) nor are they putting on a front for the tourists. You get to see life as it is for the majority of Malaysians, i like that.

If you enjoyed this you might like to head on over to my travel blog at travelatalexleclez.blogspot.com for more.