It’s June! I am exactly halfway done my internship in Malaysia and with only 4 weeks to go, there still remains much to do and see. Satiated with this thirst to explore Southeast Asia, I did the only rational thing I could think of – I packed my bags, bought a bus ticket and headed to Singapore.
Shayne, I followed your itinerary to the tee. Slept at “Sleepy Sam’s”, a quaint hostel located beside the Sultan Mosque. It was incredible waking up every morning to the sound of Quranic ayyats being blasted over a loud speaker. I spent a day at Sentosa Island, a beautiful beach resort, and crossed a bridge to the southernmost point of Asia. I experienced the nightlife at Clarke Quay – a definite must see for all club-lovers. A personal favourite was a lounge called “The Clinic” – people sat in hospital beds and were served drinks through syringes and IV bags. I even made a trip to McDonalds, as you advised, for chicken nuggets with curry sauce. Lonely Planet has nothing on you, Mr. Shayne!
Singapore brought out the Dora the Explorer in me. Map in hand, I spent every waking moment gallivanting around the country. Daddy, your directional-sense genes certainly came in handy. When I did lose my way, I happened upon a fabulous shopping centre. It was no Fairweathers, but still some things never change! You need but spend only a minute in the country to realize that shopping is its national obsession. Here’s some advice to anyone planning on shopping in Singapore – bring shin guards, elbow pads and a helmet…preferably with a face cage. It’s an absolute necessity on Orchard Road. I’m thanking my lucky stars – in spite of it being the annual Great Singapore Sale, I managed to walk away with only minor bruising.
If there were ever such a thing as perfection, Singapore would be it. It’s modern and progressive, but still grounded in a rich history. It’s a country that embodies culture. Visits to both the Singapore Art Museum and Asian Civilizations Museum, complete with an entire wing dedicated to Islamic art, were highlights of the trip.
The nerd in me led me to the 13-storey National Library of Singapore. Wherever you go, there you are!
You can be halfway across the world and yet home can feel so near. Shayne, I thought of you every time I saw a sign for SMU.
And Safia, you’re famous! An entire street named in your honor.
Food is most definitely high on the list of priorities in Singapore. We met up with fellow AIESEC-ers for a traditional local dinner. I ate fried noodles, grilled stingray and even barbequed cow’s lungs. Sounds disgusting but was actually quite good! Full and barely able to move, we walked along the quay to a kebab house. Apparently, cow’s lungs were just Round 1. Round 2 included kebabs and roti. Next, we hobbled out of the restaurant to…a gym. Just kidding. A gym would be the sensible place to go after everything we consumed. But no, the AIESECers led us to a dessert place. Round 3. Shaved ice with fresh fruit and corn. Unbelievable. I was subsequently rolled out of the restaurant…
They say when in Asia, act like the Asians. There is nothing more Asian than spending your Friday night at a karaoke lounge. It was surprisingly so much fun! I vow to henceforth never mock another person for their love for karaoke, as I am now a self-proclaimed karaoke convert. Take a look:
My last stop in Singapore was to the Fountain of Wealth. It’s listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, as the largest fountain in the world. It is believed that if you walk around the fountain clockwise three times with your right hand in the water and whisper all of your wishes, they are guaranteed to come true. The instructions are quite specific but I wouldn’t dare mess with them…God knows what could happen!
Walking around the fountain, I prayed for all of you writing big exams this summer and those still anxiously waiting for good news (…that I know will come!) I prayed for strength and perfect health for all those undergoing any kind of sickness. I prayed that our days be filled with a sunshine that radiates every corner of our lives. I prayed that we are enveloped by a love that conquers all obstacles that come our way. I prayed that we take a moment each day to savour the beauty of this world. If there is anything I have learned over the last four weeks, it’s that life is such a precious gift. A gift to be explored, a gift to be appreciated, a gift to be lived to the fullest... And perhaps most importantly, I prayed for the Pittsburgh Penguins to win the Stanley Cup.
I lost my heart in Singapore but it certainly has not seen the last of me – this is only Round 1!
P.S My heart is not the only thing I lost in Singapore. Yup, you guessed it. I lost another toenail. I think I may be in line for a Guinness World Record myself!
No comments:
Post a Comment