caves, karaoke, cuisine

Do to lack of Internet connections over the last week and the abundance of things to do, blogging was at the bottom of the list of things to do. However, I observed many interesting people, did some semi-adventurous things, day dreamed about a lot of food, and pondered many other random thoughts.
Of course traveling is not complete without a plethora of trains, plains, and automobiles. I guess for Steve and I it's more city buses. As much as it can be a pain in the ass to get to your destination by this mode of transportation, it's worth it due to the exotic people who are continually getting on and off the bus. Now that we are in Malaysia it's so hard to tell who is what nationality. The country primarily consists of; Malays, Chinese, Indians, and a mix of all of the above. I've been trying to differentiate all week, but I've only got as far as I can tell who is Indian. Beyond that, you got me.
My favorite people to watch on the bus are the children and adolescents. They don't have school buses so all kids take the city bus to and from school. I love looking at the different uniforms, the things they bring home with him, their posture, the friends they sit with and giggle with. I try to imagine what they do when they get home from school, knowing that they don''t get home and turn on nickelodeon like most American children. It's funny to think of a school bus of American children coming home from school, all wild and loud, and then to watch how maturely these kids get on the bus, pay their dues, and sit quietly with a friend until their stop. I want to teach these kids.
Where our bus rides took us this week were mainly to airports and different hostels, but we did actually fit in some gnarly activities as well. While in Miri, which is located on the island part of Malaysia, we went to some national parks and did some hiking through the jungle. Our first day there, due to us sleeping in and the lengthy bus ride, we only had time to do a short trail in Lambir national park to a waterfall where you could swim, my kind of hike. It was beautiful and wonderful because we were the only people there. So, we ate some nuts and grapes and swam our little hearts out. The bus ride was longer than the actual time we spent in the park.
Day two in Miri, we went to the Niah caves with two Australian sisters that were staying at the same hostel as us. They were an absolute blast and made the 9km hike seem like nothing. We talked so much, I forgot what we were even doing until we got to the caves. The caves were, as the girls would say, brilliant. It was literally like you were on another planet. I'm hoping the pictures do them justice. A good 15-20 minutes of our hike through the caves were in total darkness. The only thing I could think of while walking through that part was the movie, "the descent." Google it, if you've never heard of or seen it. I was a little frightened.
Our day of hiking was followed by of course a shower as well as the influence of alcohol and two sisters. With these wild sisters, we found every ladies night in town (free drinks), we danced on a stage, we sang karaoke, and ate at a Malaysian KFC at 3am. It was quite an eventful day day.
Although my KFC mashed potatoes were semi-normal, they were yet again another carb. everyday i day dream about motz. cheese and my morningstar corn dogs. I have not been having much luck with food here. Within the last 2 weeks, I have only once gotten what I actually ordered. I have been so protein deprived that I actually wanted to eat meat the other day, which in my 6 or so years of being a vegetarian I have never once craved meat. I order veggies and rice and what i get is either covered in fish oil or some how still has chunks of meat or fat in it. Therefore, i eat only rice. I found an egg sandwich at the airport yesterday, so i am hoping that protein sticks with me for a while till I can find my next fix. (I am a protein addict)
As for other day dreams, thoughts, concerns;
Steve always looks normal and I look like like an adolescent Larry king going through puberty with a tan. I am jealous, I want to be the pretty one.
We are in Kota Kinabalu now, I am still debating whether I should climb the mountain or not. I want to, but I'm scared I will hurt my grandma back.
I still really want a veggie corn dog.
I miss my Lucy girl... I want to squiggle her.
I need to buy a pair of pants.
I need to buy a razor.
I think I want to extend my trip and go to India and do some yoga.
I like traveling.
I am reading the book "eat, pray, love" yes it was on Oprah, but it is an amazing book. I am in love with it and want to marry it.