FollowI find it quite amusing that after living in KL for 35 years, I’m still pretty lost when it comes to driving around. 😂
In fact, I hardly ever ventured out of my comfort zone. During those 35 years in KL, I mostly drove to and from work, church, my daughters’ primary and high schools, and my favourite shopping malls — Mid Valley Megamall and Lot 10. That’s about it. 😂
Anywhere else, I would simply order a Grab, or the girls’ dad would send me. So much for becoming a seasoned KL driver after 35 years!
But back in Ipoh, somehow it’s a completely different story. Even if I get lost, I can usually find my way home without Waze. Sometimes I still use Waze, of course, but I seem to have a built-in mental map of Ipoh that refuses to disappear. 😆
And the funny thing is, I only lived in Ipoh for 17 years — and I was a young, impatient 17-year-old who was so raring to leave for the big city to study!
Yesterday after Zumba class, I had to take a detour because one of the roads was still closed for repair works. I took another route, but because it was already dark, I missed a turn and ended up heading somewhere else. 🤦🏻♀️
My eyesight isn’t great at night, so I generally avoid driving after dark unless absolutely necessary. What should have been a 5-minute drive home ended up taking more than 15 minutes because of my wrong turn. 😂
But the good thing is, even though I left Ipoh 35 years ago, I still remember so many of the roads surprisingly well — even in the dark. And eventually, without Waze, I managed to find my way home.
Another thing that still amazes me every time I drive around Ipoh is the traffic. Or rather, the lack of it!
Ipoh traffic is SO much more manageable compared to KL. Even around my old neighbourhood of Taman Desa, you can get stuck in horrendous traffic jams.
Here in Ipoh, I can actually drive around without constantly thinking, “Which lane do I need to be in? Where’s the next jam? Where am I going to park?” 🤣
And parking in Ipoh! Oh, the joy of being able to find a parking space without having to circle a car park 17 times. 😂
After 35 years in KL, I think I’m finally rediscovering what it feels like to drive without stress.
One of my bosses used to tell me that I didn’t have a compass in my head. Maybe I didn’t lose my sense of direction after all.
I just needed to come home to Ipoh. ❤️
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