Drying Clothes Alongside Road

You may see there are clothes on the grass alongside the road. The foreign workers are staying at first floor of these shops. I believe they find no sufficient space to dry their clothes and it is simply laid on the ground for drying. Their life in this strange city is difficult, but they still have to be away from homeland, from their family to look for the opportunity to improve theirs & their family's life. However, many of the employers in this fortunate land, who think wealth overcomes everything, are treating them lousy & nasty.

Silent Corridor

This corridor at Hume Street used to be busy while many of the shops were still operating. When I was young, dad always bring me & sometimes grandfather to a traditional barber shop over here for hair cut. The shop was so simple where it remained like the condition during early 20th century. I could always listen the old songs played from radio at neighbouring shops. Many shops are closed nowadays and the barber has passed away years ago. Today, the corridor is silent & I hear no more old songs from the radio, but I can hear it in my mind.

Apartment in Town

There are some apartments rose during 1970's in downtown. We can find it somewhere around Hugh Low Street, Kampar Road and Datoh Road. They are all at 4~5 storey high. Anyway, it did not appear to be a trend in Ipoh to stay in apartment until today. There was no such development after these few apartments until 1990's, fenced & guarded apartments or condominiums were being built in the city again.

Guarding Lions of Thian Hou Temple

This guarding lions in Thian Hou Temple are seems like communicating to each other. The temple is located next to the Sri Maju Express Bus Station and I guess many Ipoh citizen do not realize of it existance. I used to visit the temple when I was young because my grandmother loved to watch the live Chinese opera during special events. There are many hawker stalls around selling all kind of snacks. This scene is not happening in Ipoh anymore.

Blooming in the Cloudy Morning

It was a rainy night yesterday. This morning the cloudy sky makes the atmosphere cool & comfortable and there are more flowers blooming in my flowerpot. It looked like enjoying the nice weather as I do.

Nightfall at Town Hall

The lamps around Town Hall are turned on at nightfall. Old Town atmosphere is back to be peaceful & silent. Birds are resting on the lamp post while people are leaving this financial district after a tiring working day.

Eighty Years Old Could Be Better

I find that current architecture for shophouses, especially in Ipoh, is too commercial, which always choose to be simple so can be completed fast. Many are not attractive & simply looked like a square concrete box. The sad thing is this kind of building is replacing many old but nice looking ones. It seems most of the owners don't concern about the appearance but minimum cost is the major factor. While seeing more old shophouses disappearing, I really appreciate the minority that maintain old building nicely & present the beautiful side of the old shops. In this case, an eighty-year-old one is better than a new one.

Unexpected Rainy Night

Rain or not rain, it is kind of hard to predict now. While everyone is complaining the burning heat during day time, heavy rain strikes at night. Nevertheless, it cools the atmosphere a lot for a more comfortable sleep tonight. I was driving in the rain after dinner at brother's house. It simply showers my car and keep the dust away.

The Waste Collecting Old Man

Life isn't easy. I have seen this old man many times in the city. He has to work on his stamina to collect waste materials in town. If I do not make mistake, he could be the man selling ice cream in front of my kindergarten with his tricycle 30 years ago. He could be at age of more than 75 now. To many of us who are enjoying convenient, relaxing or even luxurious life, we shall appreciate what we have now & share it to the unfortunate ones.

Further Lost of Old Shops

We lost a row of shop again recently when I find the reconstruction of these shops is done by completely tearing down the old one. It is located at the junction of Theater Street & Osbourne Street in New Town. Its another end was the Capitol Cinema which was burnt few decades ago & left as a vacant land for car parking. Although there are 3 units being demolished, but the town will soon lost more of its historical appearance.

Newest High Rise Residences

Many of the local people have realized this advertisement since few months ago. It is rarely to have this kind of luxury condominiums being developed in Ipoh. The 3 condominium blocks with 26 storeys of each are providing a great living pleasure that located in the surrounding of hill & lake. Moreover, 26 storeys is suppose a new limit of building height that appear in the city, probably due to its distance from the airport & located nearby limestone hills. One may visit its homepage to get to know more about The Haven : http://thehaven.com.my/

Here Come the New Car

It has been 10 years waiting since I started my working life to own a brand new car . In the past 7 years, I was driving a used car & later a family car. However, this is also a beginning of another loan payment life that will last 7 years.