In a large capital city like Kuala Lumpur, there are several busy streets, but the busiest of all is Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. From early morning, traffic starts building up.Crowds of pedestrians, shoppers and others can be seen walking along the pavementsoutside the shops or trying to cross the road.The noise of cars and taxis hooting, or of scooters, flying past is deafening. Anyone whostops by to watch the scene is amazed at the number of vehicles zooming past or crawlingalong when caught at the traffic lights.The people, mainly lady shoppers with children, line the street as they await anopportunity to cross the road. It is a bright and gay scene. The main attraction is thevariety of textile shops, departmental stores, the Selangor Emporium, carpet shops,restaurants, jewellers or electrical goods shops, pavement stalls with small items likecostume jewellery, toys and aluminium cooking utensils and vendors attracting customersto buy their wares.In the
hustle and bustle
, one can savour the delicious aroma of Oriental delicaciesfloating in the air. It comes from 'Nasi Beriyani', 'Satay',
pungent
curries, fried chickenand sweet meats, tempting passers-by to stop for some refreshment.In the afternoon, the crowds grow bigger as office workers join the
throngs
of people. Now it is also time to go home. Taxis are in great demand while shoppers queue up to getone. Most of the taxis have already been hired and so they do not stop to pick up passengers, much to the frustration of the shoppers.The crowds gradually disappear as evening approaches and darkness begins to creep in but they grow steadily again as the night market starts operating. Crowds swarm aroundfor night snacks at the various food stalls and restaurants near the theatre or to pick upsome good bargains. Now Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman is a sea of lights. It is indeed theliveliest street, busy all day long and into the night, in .the heart of Kuala Lumpur, thenation's capital.
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Akmal