:: Asian Tiger Syndrome :: 
Malaysia suffers from severe Asian Tiger Syndrome. I suppose background is in order: During the late 1980s, following Japan’s meteoric rise in status to economic powerhouse, the remainder of Asia sought desperately to follow in her shining footsteps. The emerging economic powers of Southeast Asia, buoyed by Japan’s rise, were dubbed the “Asian Tigers.” These nations became, in effect, an extension of the Japanese workforce, or more specifically, their factories – importing Japanese know-how, technology and styles of management and exporting semiconductors, chips and televisions.

Malaysia was one of these Tiger nations. Though often under the shadow of Singapore, Malaysia quickly developed an educated and skilled workforce that was ready and fit to the task of being technology factory to the world. But something happened on the way to riches. Japan's economy faltered and economic crisis spread throughout Asia. By 1997, at the height of the Asian economic crisis, these once ready-to-pounce Asian Tigers were facing massive withdraws of foreign funds, currency devaluation, deep recessions and inflation. The Asian Tigers were little more now than troubled developing nations.

Malaysia and her sister Tigers had to regroup and retrench. For most Asian nations, this meant reassessing economic growth, settling their currencies, and accepting more conservative development plans. For Malaysia, having tasted the first-world and anxious to get back, this crisis called for more aggressive growth in order to outpace other Asian nations and to lure foreign investment back. In the past 5 years, retail space in Kuala Lumpur has doubled to 40 million sq ft. Convention centers and luxury hotels are being raised with near-reckless abandon. The country inaugurated the Malaysia Grand Prix after winning a spot on the professional world racing circuit. In fact, throughout Malaysia, you see evidence of the country’s boundless ambitions: world-class airports overbuilt to twice the number of terminals needed, the world’s tallest building (to this day never once fully occupied), entire islands turned into world-class resorts. And then – there is the money. (see following table). Malaysia is so eager to prove itself, to elevate its stature on the world stage and to demonstrate its technological and economic prowess that, while other countries depict presidents and dignitaries on their currency, Malaysia has chosen to depict its technological accomplishments. You go girl.

Oil Drilling Platform

Malaysia Airlines Plane; Cargo Ship; Airport Commuter Train

Petronas Towers;
KL Airport

The Menara Tower in KL; Malaysian satellite

:: The Friends We Keep :: 
The best part about travel is the people you meet. Over a week or even a few days, you can come to know someone incredibly well if you spend every waking hour of the day together. Think of it – in a week, you can easily spend over 100 hours in the company of another traveler, chatting about journeys and histories and life and nonsense. Back at home, it’s hard to log that much time with close friends in half a year or even a year.

The worst part about travel is sometimes moving on, saying goodbye to newly-made friends, parting ways and knowing that you may never see each other again. The intensity of the bond dies without a mutual history – the years of acquaintance and witness to personal growth that makes people proper mates. Geography compounds the problem.

But still you do it. You meet people, and gravitate toward those that share similar interests, humor or just destination. You stay longer with those you like, maybe even changing itineraries to buy more time. But, inevitably, you part, go your separate ways, and in time (maybe just hours) do it again.

I grow more skeptical about those I meet, less confident in the potential longevity of the friendship, but once overcome, am no less saddened to see them go. It doesn’t get easier. The life experience is supposed to harden you to loss, but I suppose it really just depends on the emotional investment made. I’d hate to think that I may become more risk-averse and stop investing in these high-risk friendships.