the silent town - awaiting rejuvenation

This wide angle shot of the Rex cinema Ipoh, from the junction off Hugh Low was taken on the eve of the Deepavali, 07November at 6:00pm.

The quietness of the town struck me anew with awe each trip that I travel back to the town, er no, it's the city. It is something that I have not gotten used to and this picture seems to have captured the new mood of the city.. center, that is pretty lethargic and lifeless in the evening, and even dark at night.

For the Ipoh I knew - and where I had my education in the 1960/s to the 1970/s - was a bustling and vibrant town. On a holiday eve, the cinemas would be packed with moviegoers, and especially if a good show was in town. The roads would be congested and traffic heavy. The coffee shops would not be closed till past 9pm and the road side stalls starting business from 6pm would add buzz and gaiety to the nightlight till past mid-night.

This strewth of road that cuts thro the new town had 4 cinemas within the kilometer stretch- with Ruby at one end and Majestic at the other and Capitol and Rex in between - would be jam packed with cars, and the shows would be running back to back at from 6:30pm, 9pm and 11:30pm on the eve of the festive holidays and on weekends.

Alas, Ipoh town is becoming historic. Life has moved to the outskirts, and to the housing estates to the north. Many of the rows of shop houses are nearing a century old, and business had hollowed out. If only there would be an earnest attempt to rejuvenate and bring it back to life... it could rival Boise, Idaho, perhaps.

Well, with the rising price of metals, mining may make a comeback to the Silver Valley, and tin could rebuilt the town afresh.