Nobody expected to get much out of Kaula Lumpur “the layover,” and we had nothing on the agenda other than to sleep off a persistent jet lag. The air possessed a thick, musty odor that reminded me of L.A. only fruitier. Our hotel’s appointed driver held a white piece of cardboard with “SHARPLES” penciled on the front. He was very accommodating, super-friendly and we were all having a great time until he blurted out, “Don’t worry. Be happy. I will not kidnap you.” What?! “Ok… Thank you?” I for one wasn’t worried about anyone kidnapping me until you just brought it up. Wow. What a great introduction to Kuala Lumpur that further solidified the idea that staying inside our hotel room for the duration of the visit would be a good idea.

Two hours in and my vow of silence stood strong. The hotel room, a massive, modern pad occupied by Jones, Otto, and I, looked right out onto the Petronas Twin Towers. The jet lag kicked in about an hour or two ago and I only now retained consciousness by staring out the window. Otto and I decided it was time for bed and began our nightly routine. For some reason, I felt like ordering warm milk beforehand, I’m not sure why but it just sounded really good. Since I could not speak, I scribbled on a piece of paper, “Can you call room service and order some warm milk please?” Otto, who almost always has my back, made the call.

Eight hours later I was chatting up a storm. Yeah, I know, my mom’s always right. My vow of silence amounted to a whopping twelve hours, and for eight of those twelve, I was asleep. Between the stunning views, that time when we didn’t get kidnapped, and the failed attempt at a vow of silence, Kuala Lumpur definitely proved itself as, not a layover, but a destination of Project Equator.

I used my vow of silence time to jam in a ton of school work, next to the pool