I never drive to Kuala Lumpur. The car I bought in 2015 has only 41,000 km on it. That’s how much I dislike driving to “KL”, as we locals call it. I rather battle the heat and rain, being squished in public transport, than endure her infamous jams or unpredictable floods. (Yes, floods! If it rains around 5pm, most office workers would brace themselves for a flash flood in the city.)

When I was a young student, I attended a college deep in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The only way to get there was via the unpredictable, maybe once-an-hour trains from my town to a stop about 5km from the college.

From that stop I’d have to take a “mini bus” to another bus stop where I’d take yet another bus to finally arrive at my college. A lot of times I’d have to stand on the steps of the bus as it whipped through town, with its doors open to let in the air in the stuffy, non-air conditioned bus.

There was no light rail transit (LRT), no proper pedestrian paths, and the traffic was an utter nightmare.

Back then, I was a slim bunny because I’d prefer to walk 2-3km to my train stop rather than take a bus to it. I was often there much faster than if I’d taken the bus. There’s nothing worse than sitting in a non-airconditioned bus breathing in exhaust fumes.

My memories of KL then was of a hot, grimy, dusty city with barely any trees. I’d have to avoid being hit by cars and motorbikes as I walk on road side as there were no proper pedestrian paths. Frankly, I’m surprised that I didn’t end up with a deep loathing for public transportation and become a car junkie.

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