Penang: Georgetown

We arrived in Georgetown late at night, hungry and with no fixed reservation for where we would be sleeping that night.  A couple of months ago this would have pushed my stress levels through the roof, but I think the relaxed energies of Asia are getting to me and there was no stress to be seen. We inquired about a room at the impressive looking Hutton Lodge and were pleased to hear they had one room left, although it was right next to the lounge where the beer drinking and TV watching took place till early in the morning. We would worry about this later, again maybe it was the new relaxed Aimee or the fact that I needed to pee, we took the room and would worry about the noise later.

Hutton Lodge

Anyone who has ever spent the day with Matt will know that a hungry Matt is a grouchy Matt so next on our agenda was food. Luckily just around the corner from the hotel was an Indian restaurant: that should keep Matt happy until his next feed. 

The first thing we noticed about the capital of Penang is that it is quieter than other towns we have visited. Also, I don’t know if my whining about the lack of pavements worked and someone has written into Jimmy Saville but it would appear that Jim has fixed it for us, there are not only pavements but *drum roll please*….. PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS!

Pavement!!

After tea we walked back (on the pavement!) to the hotel, where I am pleased to say we had one of the best nights sleep ever!

We awoke the next day to a beautifully sunny Georgetown, we had planned to sort out our visas but as the photo shop was closed we decided to visit the Museum in the colonial district. The museum was a good choice and it provided us with a good insight into Penang’s history, festivals and cultures. I particularly enjoyed the exhibit on Chinese foot binding which I first thought was very strange but then contemplated the countless number of people who wear ridiculously small, high heeled shoes like Jimmy Choos and end up needing foot operations or the shoes I wear that aren’t exactly designed with my comfort in mind. It is all a form of mutilation in the name of beauty, fashion or culture.  All this deep thinking meant that I needed to chill out a bit, and what could be more therapeutic than making a Rangoli pattern?

This would have to be today’s highlight, the chance to make a Rangoli pattern for the museum. As we previously mentioned October is the run up to the Hindu festival of Deepavali and much like NZ getting jazzed up about the Rugby, Malaysia is getting into party mode for the festival. Every mall, shop and travel agent we have visited has had its own pattern on the floor and today it was our turn to try our hand at making one.

I must say this is not my first time; we made Rangoli patterns with the children at school last year (I think F3P staff would be proud of the standard of this one!?) As we walked into the room we noted that a couple of people had attempted patterns during the day, mainly they were simple pictures and messages about how much they loved their Mum. The museum staff asked if we would like to make one, as usual this wasn’t going to be some halfhearted attempt. 

First we drew our symmetrical pattern on the floor in chalk, Matt finally putting that art degree to some good use! Meticulously we spent the next hour and half filling in our pattern, using different coloured rice. During the process we drew quite a crowd with a local photographer even joining the throng and asking if he could take some pictures of us making it.

I think the museum staff were somewhat surprised but delighted at how much effort we had put into the pattern, even bringing us water as we plowed on and running to get us extra supplies of rice! We were very pleased with our final pattern. If, by any chance, you happen to be in Georgetown this week, come and check it out! At last, our art in a museum!