Consumption

Almost six weeks in Johor Bahru the count of soaps surprises: 2 small cakes of camphor bought from the store on Jalan Wong Ah Fook opposite the canal (RM1.50); one turmeric & agar from an Indian store on Jl. Trus (RM5.19) and thus far two small lozenges of coffee from the night-market. (One initial purchase of the latter and three subsequently discounted — RM7 & 15.) The heat in the bathroom across the day progressively softening and melting possibly; the little bugs feasting on the sugar content the other possibility. Wonderfully fragrant all; the first used for hand and clothes-washing and shaving. One large tube of Dentobac NEEM toothpaste recommended for tartar control almost finished, with another waiting on the high ledge of the bathroom. Two and one half Listerine neon-blue tartar control 250ml flasks; perhaps 7 - 8 cold-pressed pomegranate vials from the night-market (RM15 two nights' usage); and four 120gm Yemeni honey jars (morning and nightly teaspoons). (The Singaporean regime of apple cider vinegar has been omitted for want of the product—only found now at a medical supplies on Trus opposite the temple.) Forty either pongal or uppuma breakfasts at Muthu, excepting unavailability during Deepavali and the once or twice run-out after late arrival. Lunches have been mostly taken at Razali's stall at the teahouse opposite the bakery where a range of fish and 2 - 3 veg. RM7 – 9. Fruit to top off ciku & papaya usually. Supper alternates a few places in order to limit the nan in-take — Reaz chiefly and then the nameless mamak place on Meldrum - Siu Nam corner where the hairy-armed Lohorean does his thinner with mint dip side. The two 50ml Dettol should be added and perhaps half the part-spilt 320ml treating a painfully inflamed blister of some kind on the sole of the foot that has developed into what is perhaps a boil on the third toe. A fortnight now with antiseptic cream (25gm) recalls tales of Babi's father crudely operating on his daughter's heels and Uncle George's late-onset gout. Lattes every second day at Maco mostly beside the bakery RM9.90 and perhaps 3 - 4 small-pack banana cakes bought from the latter largely in an attempt to gift the Indon crew at the teahouse, where finally the sleepy-head Sumatran is accepting both fruit & cake (RM5.80). The New Straits Times (RM1.50) usually from the trannie at the convenience store a few doors from the hotel, as it is difficult to find at the Indian vendors; otherwise the Star. Forty days reading and scanning one continues to marvel at the half-baked propaganda hashed page after page shamelessly trying one angle after another. Blunt bludgeoning that demonstrates how far the outer rings of hangers-on extend in kleptocracies. Perhaps three gel pens, which emptied of ink and left at eatery tables cause Indian lads to run after the writer. (RM3.20 the better class.) With the original Mark I ipad barely functioning and battery running down in little over three hours, the purchase of an Energizer portable charger from the Apple store at Machines, City Square (RM299). Malfunctioning within a week in fact and only today returned from KL. Still awaiting a graphic artist/designer to recast the MS of Southernmost Point: Jalan-Jalan Johor Bahru. A map is to be added to the end pages, captioned photographs gathered and finally a Cast of Characters in order to fit a format the ThinkCity people intend to use for further writings about this town. (This after meticulous page lay-out with Steve Black the photographer.)

NB. At time of writing $AUS1 : RM3.23