Well, I'm here.

Crossing into Malaysia was a really easy thing to do. Yesterday I broke down and decided to take a travel agency minivan from Hat Yai to Georgetown, Penang. Usually, I avoid these things like the plague, but I was tired and decided to give it a whirl. My guidebook said that the place I booked was reputable and they turned out to be great. I walked up, met Boy, one of the travel agents, paid my $5, and acquired a ticket over the border.

There was one catch, and it was by no means the travel agent's fault. This crazy Chinese Malaysian guy was on board and he was getting out of hand. He was in the back seat with a poor German guy and all he wanted to complain about was "the Jews." I tallied his using this phrase at about 20+ times. He was obviously a man with conspiracy theory issues and had a problem understanding that Bill Gates isn't jewish. Or at least I don't think he is. It doesn't matter either way, the guy was nuts. He would yell things out in Thai or Mandarin randomly and he freaked out when the driver got gas and put in diesel (because it's a diesel van). I must give the driver credit for not belting him.

So, I arrived, found a bed in a hostel, and headed out to get some money changed. I found some Muslim moneychangers just down the block who were giving a decent rate. When I said "salaam malakum" they guy smiled and laughed. We swapped coin and I asked his advice on finding a good cheap Indian meal. He pointed down the road and I asked if it was Tamil food because Punjabi makes my stomach hurt (it's heavier and creamier). I checked the place out and it did look pretty good. Biriyani (or pulau, I can't keep those two straight), curried fish, some veggies, and a Vanilla Coke all for less than $2. I nearly kissed the guy when I saw Vanilla Coke too because I am a complete junkie for the stuff ever since working in the mall at The Museum Company and Williams Sonoma.

Anyway, I like the feel of this town. It's Malaysian, Chinese, and Indian. The weather is scorching, but I guess I'll just have to deal. Tomorrow I will explore the city through a self guided walking tour. Watch out Malaysia.