Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 03:14:32 -0800 (PST) From: colin roald Subject: arrived in Singapore
I have arrived uneventfully in Singapore. 13 hours in the air from San Francisco to Taipei, then 3 hours on the ground, then another four in the air to Singapore. But neither flight was anywhere near full -- I got a row to myself (three seats) on the long flight, so I didn't actually sleep too badly. I saw the last two-thirds of four different movies.
The art displays in Taipei airport include a bust of Caspar Weinberger, "Warrior for Freedom". Go figure.
I'm in the Perak Lodge, a very friendly little hotel in Little India here in Singapore. There's a big street market down the block in one direction and half a dozen hole-in-the-wall motorcycle repairmen and used-computer shops in the other. There are signs wishing me a Happy Deepavali everywhere, though i haven't figured out quite what that means yet. Since arriving, I have showered and changed and eaten some Indian food in the food court and bought some toothpaste (which somehow I managed to leave behind).
There was a TV installed in the city bus I took from the airport -- not a shuttle or a coach or anything, a regular city bus. It appeared to be tuned to a broadcast station, Singapore channel 5, and was playing yesterday's episode of Survivor. And here I thought my main danger in finding out stuff about it would be from other travellers. Silly me.
Things I'd read about this place had lead me to believe Singapore was terribly tidy and sterile, but I think that must only be by comparison with other Asian cities -- in fact it has plenty of rain and dirt and motorcycle repairshops spilling onto the sidewalk. I'd easily say San Francisco is tidier and cleaner. I haven't done much more than wander the streets for a couple hours looking for first my hotel and then shops, but so far it seems quite comfortable. A gentle introduction to Asia, I suppose.
c. -- colin | opportunity calls from a payphone, bruno. you never roald | get a chance to call it back. (christopher baldwin)