Reason #8

I'm always traveling here and there. Always saying I want to further my studies as far as possible. But like what they say, there's no place like home.

Kota Kinabalu is home. And I love this city. Why?

The traffic

It's has almost been two years since I had my driving licence. Ever since, I had consumed (unwillingly) the role of a driver for my mom, and sometimes, my friends and relatives. At first, of course I didn't mind, I was so happy being able to drive around on my own.

But then, I spent almost a month in Kuala Lumpur in mid 2008, while waiting for my SPM results. Of course, I was still a sweet law-binding driver then, who excitedly offer to drive for her brothers and sister. They, without any hesitance, gave their car keys to me. Little that I know, driving in KL can be so cruel and soul-crushing. (That's right! Soul-crushing!). The drivers, oh those maniac drivers, have no mercy to freshly graduated driver like me. My sister and brothers were tormenting and urging me to get a move on. But I can't even get the car out of the junction near our apartment in KL.

Not just those maniac drivers in KL wouldn't give me any chance, regardless my signal indicating I want to pass through, they even gave me some rude signals themselves. If you're good at lipreading, you probably can guess what they were saying to you too. And they aren't saying anything nice! It was a traumatizing experience, but I got over it. I even manage to adapt to their style of driving.

Oh, I almost forgot. The traffic jam. And I don't mean a musical remix to listen to in traffic. I'm referring to the traffic congestion. In KL, you better know when is the peak hours, and which roads to avoid during certain time of the day. Or else, you'd be stuck in a traffic jam that will take minimum one hour of your time! (And that's on a good day.) In Kota Kinabalu, if you happen to be in a jam, it will take maximum 1 hour. Even that people already start complaining.

Another thing I love about KK's traffic is, you'll hardly get lost. Unless, of course, if you wander into the rural areas. Check out the map of the city at the top of this post. Yes, that's all. How could you get lost in KK? In KL, that's a different story. The building will be just next to you, but you will find it difficult to find the entry way. And if you miss your junction, oh boy, you have to go all the way to the end, just to turn around.

In KK, I wouldn't mind to drive. (Still, its good if I can get a driver.) But in KL? I'd rather walk 15 minutes to the LRT station and make several station changes than driving in a congested road full of maniacs, pay high priced tolls and parkings (IF you can get a parking spot.)

And this, ladies and gentlemen, why I love Kota Kinabalu.