Back in Kuala Lumpur
On December 8th, I returned to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As I mentioned before, the group of Chinese tourists on the plane had kept me from sleeping much, so my first task was to catch up on some rest before heading to today's hotel.
Arriving here reminded me once again of why traveling excites me. Every corner of a foreign country is filled with moments that make me think: "What is this? How does it work? What does it taste like?" It keeps me curious and alive.
In Japan, so many things can be predicted—"this tastes like that," "this works in this way." But abroad, even something small like Dunkin' Donuts makes me wonder how it compares to Mister Donut in Japan. Out of curiosity, I bought one. The sweetness was stronger than I expected—a small but delightful discovery.
Even the train token was fascinating. You touch it to a panel when you enter, and when you leave, you drop it into a coin slot to exit. Such small details remind me that the world is an endless treasury of new experiences.
Learning from Everyday Life Abroad
Riding the train toward the city center, my main goal was to repair my laptop. It had completely stopped working during my stay in Japan, and without it, I couldn't move forward with my work. At the repair shop, they told me it would take about a week.
That meant I would stay in Kuala Lumpur for at least another week. Normally, I try not to stay in one place longer than four days, because the more I settle into a place, the harder it becomes to summon the energy to leave again. Still, this time I decided to see it positively.
For me, traveling is not only about speed and distance. It's about knowing—understanding a place, even a little. And to know it, I have to stay longer, to see beyond the surface. That's why this week-long pause felt like an important part of my journey, not a setback.
Exploring the Streets of Kuala Lumpur
When I arrived at my hotel, I found it compact but cozy—exactly the kind of place I like. After dropping off my luggage, I went out to explore the streets.
Nearby was a famous KTV, known for its nightlife. Walking through in the daytime gave me one impression, but at night the atmosphere completely changed. Exploring both sides of the city—the bright daytime world and the hidden nighttime world—was like peeling back layers of a living story.
On the right side of the street, there used to be a café that looked like a place for casual meetings and encounters. But due to the pandemic, it had already closed down. It was a quiet reminder of how fragile yet ever-changing city life can be.
Gratitude for Returning Abroad
After weeks back in Japan, I was once again walking through the streets of a foreign country. I felt grateful for the chance to meet new worlds again. Each return, each arrival, was not something I could take for granted.
