Dust & Echoes in Alor Setar

okay, so, like, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee right now. 2331005… that’s the timestamp on my phone, i guess? and 1566616936 - doesn’t mean anything, really. just a random string of numbers that’s now permanently etched into my brain. i landed in Alor Setar yesterday, and honestly? it’s… intense. the humidity is clinging to everything, like a really persistent ex. it’s 26.42 degrees feels-like, 26.42, temp_min 26.42, temp_max 26.42, pressure 1012, humidity 13, sea level 1012, grnd_level 944. yeah, the data’s weird.

seriously, the air is thick. it smells like spices and something vaguely… earthy. i’m trying to capture it all, you know? the grit, the weirdness. i’m mostly just wandering around, snapping pictures of everything that catches my eye. it’s a chaotic mess, but it’s my chaotic mess. i stumbled across this incredible little stall selling kuih dadar - basically savory crepes - and it was seriously the best thing i’ve eaten in ages. i’m thinking of hitting up TripAdvisor for some more food recommendations, maybe check out Yelp for some local spots.

I overheard a guy at the guesthouse - a seriously grizzled old timer - telling another tourist, "Someone told me that the best nasi kerabu is down by the river, but you gotta haggle like a demon." I’m not sure I’m up for demon haggling, but nasi kerabu sounds good. I need to find a decent map, too. This place is a labyrinth.

Speaking of labyrinths, the architecture here is insane. So many *traditional houses with those sloping roofs. It’s like stepping back in time. I’m trying to get a feel for the city’s history, but honestly, it’s mostly just a blur of temples and markets. I’m thinking of checking out the Alor Setar State Mosque - looks pretty epic from the outside. Maybe I’ll check out some reviews on a local forum before I go.

I just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. It’s not raining, which is a win. If you get bored, Penang is just a short drive away, apparently. I heard that the night markets are legendary. I’m also trying to find a decent coffee shop. This place is seriously lacking in good caffeine. I need to find a place with proper espresso*. I’m thinking of hitting up a few places on Google Maps, see what the locals are saying.

I’m staying in this little guesthouse - it’s…rustic. Let’s go with rustic. The owner, Pak Hassan, is a character. He keeps offering me tea and telling me stories about his family. He’s a bit of a storyteller, that one. I’m trying to learn a few basic Malay phrases, but it’s proving to be a challenge. I’m mostly just pointing and smiling. It seems to work most of the time. I’m definitely going to need to brush up on my haggling skills before I hit the markets.

I’m starting to feel like a proper lost tourist, which is… kind of exciting, actually. I’m embracing the chaos. I’m documenting everything. I’m trying to capture the soul of Alor Setar, even if it’s just a tiny fragment. It’s a weird, wonderful, sweaty place. And I’m loving it. I’m going to try and find a decent internet connection later, upload some photos, and maybe plan my next move. Seriously, though, this humidity is brutal. I need a shower. And a strong cup of coffee.