Thursday, November 19, 2009

SaiGon @ Vietnam - The unification of "-isms"

To be honest, I do not know if the word "unification" is exact and proper enough to express the situation. But SaiGon shows this, that the wars/fights among all the "-isms", regardless religious's or political's, throughout the history of mankind, were in fact jokes. Why?

I accidentally bumped into a church last night (18/11/09), let's see what had I found:




Yes, it's true, they burn taoisme-type incense sticks, but pray to Jesus and Virgin Mary. A unique combination. I first met this here, and i think it's common if you found this as well at other places in the world. The lesson (which is my own perception) is that, what for for the religions to initiate wars among each others? To attack each others? To demolish other religion's temples like what'd happened in Malaysia?

As long as it bring peace in souls, it teaches us the common values and humanity.. it will be the religion, and the faith "chosen" by the peoples. True religion bring peace and respect, not disrespect and extermination of different kind.. (You know what i mean..)

And the next is, what i found today..


Two communist armies statue standing looking at the Cathedral Notre-Dame (The famous church in SaiGon..) Somebody told me the genuine communism persecutes religions. How true is it? It's not important now.

Here come the conclusion: all the contradictions or wars or fights among "-isms" all these time, were actually just the choice of mankind, they were "mad-made".. And the question is, when are we going to stop all the fights?

By the way, Vietnamese eat beef and pork, everywhere. While to show respect towards other religions, they set up pork-free halal restaurants, also beef-free Indian foods, everywhere as well. If were compare to Malaysia, where even a slice of pork can create a lot of (political) problems, or the head of cow can be the weapon to attack other races.. We should be ashamed to allege that we are more civilised than Vietnam.. Opps, sorry, our government dare not use the word "civilised", they use "developed".. (But even that, they are not necessarily correct, when having all the corruptions hide under carpetsssss..)

*Gosh, bad habit, keep thinking too much even in vacation..*

(No equipment to upload photo at this moment..Haha..Just imagine lar..)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

SaiGon @ Vietnam

Well, I would said that this is a horrible city, if compare to Thailand or Singapore. (Okay, it was because among ASEAN countries, I'd only been to S'pore, Thailand, and of course, not to mention Malaysia..Haha XD)

Why is it horrible?

Because, it is a mess, i mean traffics. They horn everywhere, anytime, even for no reason, or, just to say "Hie~"(Gosh~). And they drive anyhow they like. Oneway is not oneway, red light is not red light, they stop where they like, they turn when they want, signals are not a must, cross-junctions are even terrible.. The bicycles race with the cars, the motors "fight" with the buses.. (Well, I took motorbike-taxi from airport to hotel, it was a special experience though..)

And then, it is not yet the end of story. There are still communication problems (In Thailand, most peoples know how to speak simple english for tourism sake. Here in Vietnam? Most peoples DUNNO even a word like "how much?"..), hospitality problems (Peoples are a bit too friendly, of course, for businesses..), money problems (This is solely my problem, one meal cost 30-60 thousand! Ya ya, in Vietnam dong, but then hor, when you convert to MYR, it is also about RM7-15 per meal liao ler.. Some more the cab is expensive.. Motorbike also charge you >2USD for very short distance..), dust problem (Now I know why WeiXiang suggested us to bring masks..) and etc.. >_<

Yet, with all the weaknesses, SaiGon is still very attractive, and I'm addicted to her. She is happenning, she is beautiful (with all the France-style/ Europe-style buildings), the foods are damn nice (I didn't bluff, I eat hawker food whole day, and still can't stop myself from buying supper, i.e banh mi just now), the shops are full of pretty and cute things for sale.. (So sad I still dare not step into the shopss, scare I will spend every single penny I have on the very 1st day..)

Yeah.. SaiGon is great, and I just explore, 5-10% of it..

But 3 things bad about backpacking alone, i.e. cannot take photo of myself with beautiful scenario, only can "zi4 pai1" (Okok, I'll try to act cute and ask peoples help me from tomorrow onwards..); dare not wandering until too late at nite (That's why I'm here spending the rest of the nite writing blog); no people to share accomodation and it is expensive (I don't like sharing room with strangers mar..So I took one private room lor..)!!

Sigh, (happily..)

I plan to post post-cards, but I only got 5 pieces (3000 bucks per piece, very expensive your know), anyone want it can write down your address here please.. (This blog don't have many readers, so I guess most people leaving msg will get the postcard de gua..) n_n

Saturday, November 14, 2009

砂劳越·古晋·美食

去砂劳越的72个小时,这座猫城用烧热的铁条狠狠地烙进我心里脑里灵魂里肚子里的印象,只有一个,千古以来广大农民人民饥民们追求不懈的字:

饱!

真的饱到我心里怕怕的。这里的美食太多,多到我72小时内,吃完以下的食物清单(有漏的sls帮忙补充):

1 远近驰名的砂劳越干劳面
Kolo mee有几种口味,原味的、叉烧油的,还有黑醋的。我比较喜欢的是,珰,珰,珰,下面照片中的叉烧油面啦。Kolo mee最特别的地方,大概是那面条的口感和香味吧?比这里的云吞面更香一点,更有咬劲。重要的是,酱汁不会把面条弄得黑黑粘粘的,不像云吞面。



2 Sarawak Laksa
好像但凡名字有laksa这字的食物,我都很喜欢。北马的Penang Laksa的汤料是鱼,汤是暗红色的,味酸辣咸。南马Curry Laksa/Katong Laksa是鲜红色的,椰浆味很重的咖喱汤。马六甲有Nyonya Laksa,汤色比较淡,接近Curry Laksa但不完全一样。西海岸有Kelantan Laksa,白色的,带甜,面条很特别,有条状的也有块状的(真的很好吃)。那么,砂劳越Laksa呢?
登登登!就是这个了。它的汤是黑色的。我不懂是不是每一档都这样,因为只吃了一档。有一点像浓一点的胡椒黑酱油清汤面,感觉放了好些香料,不过吃不出有哪一些。重要的是,大大的虾放了好多,怕你吃不过瘾呢!



3 砂劳越番茄面(其实是茄汁面)
番茄面,顾名思义,就是番茄汤加面。当然,也有番茄米粉、番茄果条etc……听起来好像和番茄汁肉酱意大利面没什么分别,不过,番茄面最大的不同,就是面条都会炸得脆脆的,相当好吃。(有一点像mamee沾tomato soup,哈哈)而且要越脆越好吃哦。有一些档口随便炸一炸就上菜,软软的咸咸的面条配搭酸酸的甜甜的汤,就有点怪了。(其实这道美食,我勉强只给3星,没有太喜欢,但应该试一试!)



4 峇拉煎米粉
两个印象:一咸二辣。黑色的汤汁和鱿鱼蕹菜(不是马华那个)的汤汁(应该)是一样的,再淋上砂劳越的峇拉煎,就别有风味。砂劳越的峇拉煎蛮香的,辣味比较少,不过这道面我吃得有点咸了,结果感觉不到峇拉煎。还有,那个面条很不一样,有一点像粗米粉……(还是它其实是峇拉煎米粉?!)



5 福州炒面
有一点像KL的炒福建面,不过颜色淡点。



6 蚵煎
哇哈哈,这道一定要推荐一下。不要以为它和这里的蚵煎一样,是用蛋包着,软软香香的哦。吃过槟城lobak的虾饼吗?砂劳越蚵煎就等于是lobak的蚵饼!脆脆的香香的有一点咸,然后会突然咬到软软的一颗颗蚵仔。很好吃一下哦!



7 豆芽炒面/果条
基本上,就是KL的炒面和炒果条罢了,但严格来说,又不完全一样。第一点不同是,这道食物的豆芽真的很多,第二点不同是,他除了有咸的口味,还有另一种炒法是甜的口味的,面条也炒得比较湿。嗯嗯,如果你认为甜的炒面很怪,那你就错了。事实上,甜的豆芽炒面很好吃一下~



8 Bi Din
中文名字叫(我自己给的):原住民的羊齿植物~哈哈。随便啦,欢喜就好。这道菜没有在外面吃,而是在家里由最伟大的厨师之一炒给我们吃。口感很好,脆脆的,有点苦,不过厨师说那是因为虾米和峇拉煎放得不够,也或许是我吃不惯。不过反正一定要试一试,这个可以说是东马名菜哦。



好像很长酱,比较普通的就跳过吧,接下来是饮料!!!

9 3/4/5 Layers
水如其名,名字说好是多少层,上桌的饮料就有多少层。饮料的主角是奶茶加黑糖,加一层就加其他的一些东西,例如小麦草水或者凉粉。然后我相信,很很很好喝的原因是,他加的黑糖很香,中和掉奶茶里茶的酸涩。



10 Peppermint Tea
看起来只是一杯普通的凉茶吗?喝下去,你就知道自己大错特错了。因为,这是一杯很好喝的薄荷茶~凉入心扉啊~(其实是和枇杷膏的概念有点像,但是它实在比枇杷膏更醒神~)



11 Peppermint Choc
结果有些商家就把薄荷茶和巧克力混在一起,变成peppermint choc。不过这杯东西不是哪里都有,得看你有没有刚巧遇到了。:)



12 Lemon Coconut
很特别的combination……



13 Sarawak Kopi
很香浓醇厚,也很顺口,没有酸涩的味道。我带了几包新鲜的咖啡粉回家,一路上从东马到西马再到北马,都有人在问:你带了什么东西那么香啊……真是白白惹来应付陌生人的麻烦……

用很传统的机器在磨咖啡豆


好了,现在到甜品。>_<

14 Layer Cakes
差不多40种口味任君选择。我几担心患上选择恐惧症啊,还好那间店刚好只剩几种口味。



15 福州光饼
虽然只是普通的烤饼加肉碎,可是很香,咬劲有一点像法国面包。很想念啊。KL有卖吗?



其他零零碎碎或者没有拍到照片的,就暂时省略吧。有机会到砂劳越旅行的,一定记得尝尝!:)

不开心的辩论

本来想写砂劳越美食的。聊了一个沉重和难过的电话,笔锋一转,写辩论吧。

这里很冷,我围着毛毯在打字。心里也很冷,但无能为力。

辩论,确实是一件很难让人开心的事。如果,你发现这里充斥血与泪的竞争,还有漫无天日的筹备,生涩难懂的资料。明明讨厌政治,硬是要了解什么马华党争。明明不了解历史,偏偏问我谁是曹操。你要花很多时间在这里,不能看戏,不能唱K,又不能睡觉,错失其他精彩活动,拒绝朋友旅行大计,过年过节有时还回不了家。最惨的是,教练恐怖得像魔鬼,总是要指着人家的鼻子破口大骂。最后,辛辛苦苦也就算了,在这支队伍里面,赢了输了都要给别人瞧不起、说闲话。

你们说的、想的,我都不能反驳。我怎么反驳,同样是过来人。

可是,转念一想,那为什么你还要在这里?前仆后继。为什么之前的那些笨蛋也还留下来?劳心劳力。

筹备的过程很重要。目标其次,压力其次,教练的责备或溺爱其次,辩手一定要自己懂得在筹备的过程中寻找快乐,和痛苦。它可以是队友间的吵嘴,可以是一条绝世好idea的诞生,可以是吸收资料增加知识的满足感,可以是一道搞笑爆破句的出炉,可以是A队友在对辩中把B队友驳倒的快乐,可以是自己的架构获得认同的惊喜,也可以是不断思考不断磨练然后成功在台上拿彩的虚荣。Whatever。但是,要懂得找。窍门吗?我只能说,每支队伍都有自己的方式。

但记得,不是要找“快乐”的方式。(因为快乐很简单,睡觉偷懒八卦看戏这些我也很喜欢啊)而是“快乐辩论”的方式。又能让你成长,又能让你纪念的方式。

如果,你们找到了,相信我,教练的参与将不再是折磨或压力,而是锦上添花,资料的消化将不再是沉闷和无聊,而是自我充实,至于思考、创作和讨论,那是令人开心和活跃的事情。虽然很难一下啦。

然后走过这段,害你们必须六亲不认,全情投入,牺牲小我的人生阶段后,你会发现,是的,朋友们几年内留下的欢笑声,那么清朗那么好听很让人羡慕。但是,你在几年内留下的,除了欢笑,还有泪水,除了有成功,还有失败,有十年寒窗,有一举成名,有你争我夺,也有同甘共苦。然后你就会进一步发现,你的生活,比别人的丰富了好多,成熟了好多。(我不否认,那是因为痛苦也比人多。)

不过,人各有志,倘若这不是你想要的,我也很难勉强。

只是,如果你留下来了,就不要让自己后悔,让自己的日子难过,然后让教练恨铁不成钢气成魔鬼。用接下来的机会,去寻找属于你们的辩论的乐趣。多一点主动,多一点创造,多一点体谅,多一点勇敢,多一点努力,多一点谈笑风生(不要只是谈八卦哈)。

然后你会发现,日子过得很不一样。

Good Luck,辩手。

Monday, November 9, 2009

砂劳越·古晋·名称

先从名字说起。

马来西亚华语规范理事会在某年某月,把整个大马的13个州属名字,做了一次修改和规范的动作。从此以后,以前我们那个年代(我们那个年代,其实也只是8字辈以前啦。)读进脑袋的地理知识,必须同时做出修整。最让我无所适从的几项修改,包括砂劳越-->砂拉越、丁加奴-->登嘉楼、哥打京那峇鲁-->亚庇。

当然,理事会有他的权威和理由。但是,这些地方原本的名字和称呼,是不是从此走入历史呢?丁加奴和哥打京那峇鲁这两个地方我无法确定(不曾到过嘛),但以前的砂劳越,确实是砂"月劳"越,而不是砂"拉"越。

有位砂劳越朋友陪我到砂劳越河边走走,发现这个证据,也就是一座纪念James Brooke的石碑的时候,就一直在叨念西马人的不是、西马人的不对。(哎呀呀,不是说一个马来西亚吗?)

就是这个石碑。建筑的年代忘了考究,只知道石碑旁的说明图,已经沾染了一层岁月的污垢


看吧,以前以前,人们这么称呼这片土地:砂"月劳"越

不是质疑权威,只是分享一些发现。:)

那么,今天的手机短讯想要问您的问题是,

你觉得把"砂劳越"改成"砂拉越"是正确的决定吗?

新闻的最后,我们将会为您总结观众的回应。(咳咳咳,对不起,搞错了!该死的职业病。)

不过,对我而言,也许因为不是当地人,就没有对地方名字的择善固执。毕竟,当初的长安也不叫长安了,曾经的巴比伦也已经走入历史。一个地方不一定非得坚持原名,只要能写进历史的竹简,留下文明的痕迹,供后人瞻仰纪念,这个地方也就有了价值。

而砂劳越/砂拉越,也确实是有价值有历史有血泪痕迹有人情温暖的好地方。是值得一去的地方。希望当地政府和中央政府懂得珍惜。(想一想本地的旅游业,就要为国家的遗迹遗产,文化的也好,自然的也好,抹一把冷汗。)

Monday, November 2, 2009

真正的野心

抛开一两次的失利或得意不说。其实,一支辩论队可以拥有的最大野心,是成为这样的一支队伍:

所有想要夺冠的队伍,都害怕与之交手。
所有热爱辩论的队伍,都渴望与之交手。


这样的一支队伍。

你赢了,或输了。你笑了,或哭了。你得意了,或落魄了。你夺冠了,或败北了。人家冷嘲热讽,或是阿谀奉承。那些有什么重要?

重要的是,你成为这样的一支队伍了吗?

那才是一支强队真正的野心。:)

而我若有遗憾,也是遗憾或许未到那境界。

大赛将近

每次听说,大赛要来了,真正的那种标杆性的那种强手如林的那种大赛,心里就会情不自禁地颤抖。退出成了教练,也有这种感觉。

颤抖,是因为害怕,也因为兴奋。

害怕,好像羚羊遇上豹子;兴奋,则好像鲨鱼闻到血腥。兴奋,是因为将要与高手对决;害怕,是因为知道那是一场生死搏斗。然后,还有一种宗教膜拜似的虔诚和企盼。因为棋逢敌手,难能可贵。所以我一直渴望大赛,因为准备厮杀的感觉很好,准备和旗鼓相当的对手厮杀的感觉,更好,准备和比你更强的对手厮杀的感觉,更更好。像杀人凶手嗜血一样,我嗜辩。

(突然觉得自己很变态一下。)

可是,你难道不想吗?辩手。

和高手堂堂正正地、英雄相惜地、直来直往地,过上几招。赢了,满堂喝彩;输了,甘拜下风。单纯地,为辩论。

你不想吗?辩手?

(我想,可我已经不是辩手。)