Tin, rubber and spices drew the Portuguese, British and Dutch to take turns colonizing this southeast Asian country, leaving behind a complex and diverse history. Now an elected monarchy made of a melt of Indians, Chinese, Malay, and indigenous people, it boasts a tolerant, laid-back culture that all sort of works.
Alim, a 34-year-old bachelor, has 14 siblings. His father is a retired farmer who worked a paddy. Alim's a well-educated software developer and has worked at Integris in Chaska and a variety of other locations all over the world. He's fluent in Malay, English and Chinese. He's presently enjoying a three-month holiday that will end with a free-lance assignment in Peru -- where he'll pick up some Spanish.
His favorite place? Prague. He worked there eleven months for DHL. Lovely architecture, people and setting. Food okay.
So it's been a fascinating evening discussing history, politics and culture. Alim is doing his best to answer our questions. He knows the Twin Cities area, we know nothing of Penang or Kuala Lam pour. But we're learning.
