Meet Penang
So, I moved to Penang back in 2020. I managed to move a few months prior to the start of the pandemic and was able to catch a glimpse of the city before tourism and life came to a screeching halt. Honestly, the pandemic was something of a blessing for me. This was the first time I was living away from my family in a foreign country and I had been diving in too fast without giving myself the time I actually needed to adjust to all the changes.
When the Movement Control Order (MCO) started, there was suddenly nowhere I could go and no one I could meet and it freed me from the pressure to fit in, make friends, and act like I knew my way around. I now suddenly had time to focus on work, myself, and actually processing that I was living in a new place. I started thinking about my classes and how to best structure my lessons to teach English to a bunch of kids that were growing increasingly antsy being stuck at home. I wanted my classes to be fun for my students. I wanted English to be interesting to them. I grew so much as an English teacher throughout this time thanks to the support, communication, and encouragement I received from my fellow teachers and coworkers. I couldn’t be more thankful.
This MCO also gave me time for art and my hobbies again. While in Malaysia, I got back into linoleum carving, which is a highly relaxing medium for me. It’s very hands-on and repetitive with the motions and it isn’t until you add the ink that you find out whether the design is what you want it to be. I read more, did some puzzles, and watched movies with my roommates. I realized I was pretty good at staying home when I knew I had no obligations that needed me to leave. In those random moments where I did want to move a bit, I would take a short stroll down to the convenience store for a snack.
During the two years I was there was a mix of staying at home and using the gaps in between lockdowns to explore Penang and get off my tiny island and see other areas of Malaysia. It wasn’t until the end of my two years, when the vaccine was reliable and more accessible, that the country started easing its restrictions towards movement. In my final months, I was able to see Penang get a little more life back as tourism slowly started getting better. I got the chance to explore a bit more and really appreciate this city that had been home for the past two years for the culturally diverse and unique place it was.
While in Malaysia, even with the MCO, I was able to make wonderful and encouraging friendships. I am wholeheartedly grateful for the support, encouragement, and love I received from the friends I made while living here. I would have been so lost without the guidance and grace I was given by my roommates, friends, and coworkers.
As I was leaving and on social media afterward, it seems like Penang has opened back up to how it was before, bustling and full of life. I would love to go back and see the city and how it’s changed. I also crave the food and it has been impossible to find authentic Malaysian food where I currently am. I especially miss Rendang, Spade’s Burger, and the morning tosai and teh ice I would get at the neighborhood market. Hopefully, I’ll be able to go back again, but for now, I will leave this post and a list of recommendations I have for anyone else who finds themselves in Penang with no idea of where to go.
My Recommendations:
Obviously (or maybe it’s not), I need to start this list off with George Town. This is downtown on Penang’s Island city. This area has some really interesting architecture, wonderful hawker and food options, and unique streets of various sizes and materials.
If you happen to be downtown on a weekend, I would also recommend a stop by the Hin Bus Depot. This is an art exhibit room with a courtyard that transforms into a market on Saturdays and Sundays. You can find tables selling a variety of hand-crafted items and food all while listening to live music.
If you, like me, enjoy looking over cities and seeing how far they stretch, I would suggest a trip up Penang Hill. You can take the Funicular up to Penang Hill where you can find a view overlooking the island city and mainland Malaysia. If you get up to catch the first ride up the mountain, you may also catch a stunning sunrise (if the weather is accommodating).
If sunsets are more your thing, I would suggest finding some friends or renting a car to travel to the other side of the island. While there, maybe consider stopping at the Balik Pulau Paddy Field to see some random storage container art before finding a beach to watch the sunset at. On this side of the island, the water will likely be cleaner and a bit nicer to swim in. I went to Pantai Pasir Panjang (Long Sand Beach) and it was beautiful! But it is a bit out of the way and confusing to get to.
The last thing on my list of recommendations is food! And, instead of suggesting a specific type of food, I would encourage you to try what you can. Penang is a highly culturally diverse place and as such, has delicious food to fit nearly any craving. The only food I would caution you to stay away from is hawker stalls selling Western foods. Unless the stall has come with good recommendations, you are likely to be let down or confused.