Old part of KL

The area where I work is a strange place when you look up down and around instead of straight ahead.

In the skyline is KLCC, the epitome of Malaysia's development. Look down and you'll see the rubbish filled teh tarik coloured river - the proof of Malaysia's development & lack of civic maturity.

Beside the river are shophouses of colonial architecture where some are more than 50 years old. There's one row of shoplots that has been deserted except for one lot that is used as paper/cardboard storage by a nearby photostating shop. The other shoplots are half abandoned. In between dismal looking vacant lots are thriving mamak shops and small grocery shops. The source of their derelict state apparently is the river which overflows once too often - so said my friend.

What is strange is that situated among these dismal looking colonial shoplots are tall not so sad looking office buildings. My workplace is one of them. Sometimes I wonder why did they choose to build it there? I suppose it's because it's first building was there. Why move so far?

It's a very mix crowd of people on that stretch of road which I walk from my workplace to the LRT station. There are the employees - in their nicely ironed office attires. Then there are the general workers, scruffily dressed in their pants and shirts.Nowadays you see more foreign workers around from Bangladesh or India. Then there are the beggars on the pathways, some sleeping in front of the abandoned shop lots. Occassionally, you'll meet tourists..walking from Renaissance or Sheraton..or somewhere, because on the other side is Jln Sultan Ismail - The NICE area. Students and people in transit make up the remainding of the crowd.

I just find the whole place strange because I expect a commercial centre to be well..like KLCC area or Jalan Ampang or Jalan Sultan Ismail. Not like..rojak. Not with abandanded shop lots that has cobwebs and dirt all over. Not with shoplots of colonial architecture with peeling paints.

Nevertheless, it's quite humbling to walk down that area and see for yourself that fame, money and dazzle don't last or at least - change happens. I believe those abandoned shoplots were once thriving with business and customers. I suppose most of these business have relocated to a less flood prone area.

Maybe someone would decide to give the whole place a facelift. I like what Singapore does to their old buildings - touched ups and fresh coats of PLEASANT coloured paint. Old buildings that are well maintained do give depth to a place. As far as I know, most Western nations take pride in their old buildings, allowing them a place in the midst of modern development.