Crazy Cab Driver

Posted on October 28, 2010 by Expat Bostonians

Living without a car and with a young child not yet old enough to venture out for the day without our stroller, I tend to take a lot of cabs.  It’s just easier.

Taking 5-14 cabs a week means I have met quite the variety of cab drivers.  The lost ones who have no idea where they’re going (even with a GPS inches from their face which they also don’t know how to program).  The ones who haven’t bathed in a week or two (or who bathe, but have a broken air con in the cab, creating a mobile sweat lodge).  The ones who opine about everything under the sun.  The ones who like to tell me I live on “busybody road” (yup, that’s the Hokkien dialect translation of my road name).

Yesterday, I had the batshit crazy driver.

I had dropped into Bake-it-Yourself, which is (to the best of my knowledge) the only store in Singapore to sell the wilton cake pans/tips/food dyes/accessories, candy making materials, ready-made fondant, etc.  Considering that we have three birthdays in 3 weeks (more or less), they know me by sight now.  I was there to pick up a few last minute things needed to prepare for Elanor’s birthday party this weekend, and was heading home.

Feeling grateful to get a cab just as raindrops began to fall, I slid into the backseat.  Once the driver knew where we were going, the ride passed in silence.

“They came into my house, into my room and stole my phone,” the driver spits out as we stop at a random red light about halfway home.

I look around the cab, trying to figure out if (a) he’s talking to me, (b) if I’m being accused of stealing his phone, or (c) if he’s talking on a new phone to a friend.  He’s talking to me.

“That’s terrible?” I venture

“They stole my phone.  I have a number that ends in 3 now.  People who have numbers that end in 3 are thieves.”

I evaluate the sky and my chances of finding another cab if I ask him to pull over and let me out.  It’s not raining THAT hard.  On the other hand, three-five more minutes and I’m home.  The sky is pretty gray…and I’ve been caught in sudden downpours on many an occasion.

“The police won’t even take your report if your number ends in 3.  They all have numbers that end in 7.  They only listen to people whose numbers end in 7.”

I decide this is not the time to volunteer that my cell number ends in a 7.

“They came into my home and stole my phone!” He hits the wheel for emphasis.

I can’t help but notice he has a red cell phone next to his gear shift.

“My number ended in 5!!!  I had (unintelligible).”

We’re in the middle of a four lane road, moments from home.  I pray for green lights, but am thrown forward when the driver hits the brakes and the light turns red.  Damn.

“3.  People who have number end in 3 are scapegoats.  People hate them.  They’re thieves.  They steal your money, steal your life,” he rants.

I wonder if he said life or wife.  I wonder if a dude whose cell number ended in 3 had an affair with his wife and he’s now a deeply bitter man.

“They made my hand bleed…you see?” he holds up a hand that has no visible scars.

I assure him that I see it.  I wonder if they’ll ever find my body.

The car leaps forward.

“Uncle?” I try to tell him he’s in the wrong lane and that we’re getting close to home.

“My hand!  They came into my house!”

“Uncle!  Can you…”

“3!  I had 5!!”

“Can you let me off just ahead behind that van?” We are across the street from my condo.  Getting dropped off at home involves going up and doing a u-turn and I’m beginning to be a bit afraid and desperate to be out of this cab.

We pull up and his entire demeanor changes.  “You’re getting lunch?”  (I live across from a row of restaurants).

“Um, I live nearby.  Thank you, Uncle.  Keep the change.”

“You forgot!”  He gestures towards my umbrella.

I gingerly pick it up and make my escape.

There are times when the exorbitant fees Singapore imposes on car owners don’t sound so bad.

Filed under: cars/busses/etc, headdesk moments, Singapore, Travel | 4 Comments »

Singapore–One of the least corrupt governments in the world

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Expat Bostonians

Or says this CNN.com article.  It tied for first place as “least corrupt” with Denmark and New Zealand.  The US was 22nd.  Somalia, Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma) and Iraq were the most corrupt.

I genuinely don’t know enough about/have a strong enough understanding to discuss Singaporean politics.  However, I do find it interesting that the three least corrupt governments are all fairly small first-world countries.  I’m projecting, of course, but it’s probably easier to run a corruption free government when the country you are governing is so small, and requires a much smaller administration.  For comparison, I’ve often heard Singapore’s size described as “half the size of LA.”  You can easily drive from one side of the country to the other in under an hour (barring traffic, of course).

I’m also not surprised that the “most corrupt” countries are all war-torn and poverty-stricken; that’s the perfect environment in which corruption can flourish.

That the US came in 22nd is actually something of an accomplishment in my opinion.  We’re such a large and unwieldy creature with so many moving pieces, it’s actually kind of surprising we don’t have more.  The UK, which is much smaller only did two spots better at 20th.

Filed under: politics, Singapore | 4 Comments »

Wordless Wednesday–Random Singapore Photos

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Expat Bostonians

Filed under: general places, Pictures, Singapore | Leave a Comment »

Visiting the American Embassy

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Expat Bostonians

You may recall a small incident involving me, a camera and the American Embassy.  To quickly recap, I was soundly chastised for taking a picture of the American Embassy (without knowing there’s a policy that you can’t), and complained to my elected (and appointed) officials.  I was invited to the Embassy (sans camera), and that visit occurred today.

Although it’s a walk to the the Embassy, it is a longish one (great for getting Elanor to nap, not great when you’re wearing professional clothes and don’t want to get sweaty), and I took a cab this morning.  I went through security (I’d left the cell phone-which has a camera in it, and the camera at home) and was issued a badge reading something to the effect of “ESCORT NEEDED AT ALL TIMES.”  I was amused by my badge.

Waiting for my escort by a room that handles citizen needs while in Singapore, it struck me that it’s also a room I’ll see again when we have #2.  (Sidebar–if you have a baby in Singapore and are not a citizen, your child is not eligible for dual citizenship or Singaporean citizenship.  You have X number of days to register their birth with your home country and get them a passport–I think about a month.)  It’s times like that when the reality of living abroad really strikes me; so much of my life here is mundane things like grocery shopping, movies, play dates for E that we’d be doing regardless of where we live–but things like foreign birth registration is not something I’d run into if we were still at home .  This would also be where I’d need to go if I needed extra pages, to renew my passport, that sort of thing.

A woman escorted me to the Deputy Chief of Mission’s office, where I met with him and a Security Officer.  Both had spent some time in Boston so we chatted about home (including my noting that the next best thing to being in the playoffs was to see the Yankees eliminated, too).  We discussed the policy and why it exists, and after our discussion, I can understand that even in safe little Singapore, the policy exists for a reason.

However, I was told the “no photography” signs are on order.  My complaint all along was just that being confronted by security is really jarring and upsetting when you’re unaware of a policy.  I have little sympathy for people who see a sign and still take pictures.  We can debate the policy amongst ourselves, but I’m happy that they’re going to do their part to make people aware of the policy’s existence.  (Yes, after we get back from our visit, I’ll have an eye-but not a camera!-out for them).

I also got a few recommendations for restaurants; Burger Shack on Bukit Timah and Jerry’s BBQ.  I’m mostly posting them here because I’ll forget the names otherwise.  Any local readers know them/like them?  Menu suggestions?

It was pretty cool to visit the Embassy, but the coolest part was that when I reached out them, they reached back.  I’m used to contacting my elected officials with little to no response (a form letter response is usually the best you can hope for…an exception was Susan Fargo’s office when I called to talk to them about the breastfeeding bill in MA back in 2008 who were phenomenal).  Expressing a concern, and feeling as though you’ve really been heard is one of the most validating experiences I think anyone can have.  It was also validating to be spoken to as an adult, and that they wanted me to understand where they were coming from instead of being given a “that’s the policy, suck it up buttercup” kind of response.

So thank you to the staff at the Embassy for hearing me, inviting me in, and taking time out of your schedules to meet with me.

Filed under: Singapore, US | 2 Comments »

Hawker Stand Food, Part 3 of a billion or so–Our Ice Cream Sandwich Experience

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Expat Bostonians

Filed under: Culture Shock, food/drink, Singapore, Video | 1 Comment »

Plaza Singapura

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Expat Bostonians

Plaza Singapura is a huge mall by one of the largest subway interchanges (Dhoby Ghaut).  It is 9 floors (2 basement levels and then 7 floors of shopping…8 if you count that some of the movie theaters are up another level via stairs).

I took these pictures with my camera phone (sorry) from the 7th floor above ground to give you a feel for the insanity that is PS on a Friday night

This picture was taken from one end of the 7th floor.  You can see the coffehouse (?) that hangs suspended on the 5th floor and the escalators in the distance.

Looking down at the escalators.  You can also see the multi-story banners

Closer view of the escalators looking down from the 7th (above ground) story.

 

 

I really need to go back with my good camera and tripod and do some longer shots.  I think there’s a lot of potential for cool photography here.

 

In terms of stores, they have a Golden Village multiplex, a huge craft store, a daiso ($2 store), and the usual assortment of randomness.  I like the store that imports hello kitty and Sesame Street stuff (among others) from Japan…it’s one of the few places I can get my hands on Sesame Street Stuff.  That it’s right next to Build a Bear doesn’t exactly make it unpopular with Elanor!

Filed under: Attractions, Pictures, Shopping, Singapore | 4 Comments »

Straddling two lives

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Expat Bostonians

We are in serious count-down mode here…in 9 days Ellie and I will be on a plane to the US!  But my to-do list feels daunting…

Today (Oct 26)–Take E to beach, do Xmas card photo shoot (will print & process in the US), preliminary pack

Wednesday (oct 27)–embassy tour, quiz night…maybe some packing…reviewing stuff for B for when we’re gone

Thursday (oct 28)— rent helium, buy drinks/groceries for E’s party, edit story for submission and send it in

Friday (oct 29)–make cakes, decorate cakes, make cookies, make cake pops, make some food for the party

Saturday (oct 30)–Party!  Then cleaning.  Then date night.

Sunday (oct 31)–More packing, more lists, more review…taking E to a face painting event at a Toys R Us

Monday (nov 1)–We’re hosting some sailors for dinner…grocery shopping and cooking for them (I’m also going to surprise them with care packages…so lots of cookie backing and such too)

Tuesday (nov 2)–Final packing (minus last minute stuff like my laptop)

Wed (nov 3)—Elanor’s 2nd birthday…day at the zoo, dinner with Daddy at McDonalds (it’s her favorite place in the world)

Thurs(nov 4)—We leave around 6am.

I’m not trying to whine, but putting all of this on my blog will help be stay accountable.

 

But I do feel like I’m trying to straddle two lives…my life in SG and my life in the US.

Filed under: Singapore, Travel, US | 4 Comments »

Pumpkin Patch Visit

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Expat Bostonians

Obviously Singapore doesn’t have the right climate to grow pumpkins, but they are imported and then sold for the usual ridiculous mark-up.  You can buy them at your high end grocer (Cold Storage, Marketplace, Jason’s, etc), but you can also buy them at the annual Singapore American School Pumpkin Patch.  The SAS Pumpkin Patch does still do a mark-up, but I feel less bad giving them my money as opposed to whatever corporation owns Cold Storage et al.

So this past Saturday I rounded up Ellie, dressed her in her Halloween costume (because really, how many opportunities will she have to wear it) and jumped in a cab to SAS with her and our helper, B.

SAS is actually near the Malaysian border.  Close enough, in fact, that I saw the warning signs about Singaporean cars needing to have a certain amount of fuel to make the border crossing (gas is very cheap in Malaysia, so the SG government requires that you have a mostly full tank when crossing to prevent people from doing the crossing whenever they want to fill up their tank on the cheap).  It occurred to me that all of my previous arguments about why I wouldn’t send E to SAS were moot, once I saw how far out it was–if we ever did change our minds and decide to send her to school here, we wouldn’t send her there because the commute would just be far too long–it’s the opposite side of the country from the general area we’ll always live in to keep Ravi’s commute reasonable.  I will say that what I saw of their facilities was impressive.

The “pumpkin patch” was create in an outdoor quad covered in that spongy material most school playgrounds are now made of.  They scattered pumpkins about, had a few hay bales and also had some piles of gourds, “Indian Corn,” and mini pumpkins.  There was a table of holiday themed books (although too old for E’s interest), a bake sale table, and a table selling tickets to the middle school’s production of “Grease.”

Elanor does not understand the concept of “decorative” corn

It’s a great circle of pumpkins, Charlie Brown!

 

We now have our big pumpkin, and will likely carve it some time this week so I can turn it into muffins/cookies/etc in a timely fashion.

I’m genuinely torn as to the value of trying to do stripped down versions of holidays or if it’s just kind of sad.  The grocery stores here have one free standing rack of fairly lame “Halloween” stuff, and there’s a few racks of Halloween Candy, but it’s the very small nod to the Americans, who are (to my understanding) the only people who are really into it.  When I think about the Target at home with the giant Halloween section (and encroaching Christmas stuff), or even just the Halloween sections at CVS ,the small nods to the holiday here pale in comparison.  I think about the fact that there are REAL pumpkin patches in Massachusetts.  I remember fondly Halloweens spent in Salem.  Trick or treating in a plastic costume and mask that still smelled strongly of whatever chemicals were used in its unholy creation (and one year having to buy a second, larger costume because it snowed, and suddenly my costume had to fit over ski pants and a winter jacket).  Taking Elanor trick or treating for the first time last year in her turtle costume.

yes, I had to include this picture

Is it better to leave these memories in the US, and accept that it’s just not the same, therefore just letting it pass you by?  Or do you embrace what little there is to offer and make the best?

Filed under: general places, Holidays, Holidays (Not Singaporean), Pictures, Singapore, With Kids | 7 Comments »

Bullfighting Bathroom @ GWC

Posted on October 22, 2010 by Expat Bostonians

On the first floor of Great World City, you will be transported to spain…in the midst of the running of the bulls

The cheering crowds watch you have the natural reaction to a giant bull running at you….

If the roaring crowds aren’t enough of a draw, why not come for a rendez-vous with an androgynous bullfighter?

Finally, marvel at the marvelous decorative trim above our mirrors…it’s JUST LIKE being in Spain!!!

Filed under: Funny Bathrooms, Pictures, Singapore | 1 Comment »

Air Quality

Posted on October 22, 2010 by Expat Bostonians

Generally speaking, air quality in Singapore is far better than you’d expect from a major world city.  There is virtually no smog, and once you’re on a reasonably high floor, the visibility is impressive.

Not so, of late.  Every year farmers in Sumatra (click here for a map...I didn’t know where it was, either) burn their land as a cheap and fast way prior to planting season.  Yes, it’s illegal.  No, Indonesia does nothing about it.  And so, every year, air quality in Singapore (and other surrounding countries/islands) suffers as the wind blows the smoke and ash over our city, creating the annual “haze.”

Our air quality has gone from good to moderate and on Thursday into the “unhealthy” range. Open a window or step outside and you can taste the smoke in your throat.  Your eyes itch, and visibility has taken a nosedive.  Building that I can usually see with no problem are shrouded in haze, and the sky is a uniform greyish/white.

I’m especially concerned for Ravi–with his asthma, he is particularly vulnerable to dips in air quality, and this week has certainly seen him coughing a great deal more than I’d like to see.  But while Ravi can take a cab to and from work to minimize his exposure, it’s increasingly difficult to keep the toddler from destroying the house.  Most of her favorite places; the zoo, the botanic gardens…are outside, as is the pool, and walking by the river.  The few that aren’t, like the indoor playgrounds have been crowded.  As for me, my eyes are sore and I sound more like a chronic smoker (I don’t, for the record) with each passing day.

 

Haze/Smoke/Unhealthy Air

Yesterday the haze was worse…check out the pictures at this website to see some really dramatic/scary photos of how bad the air was yesterday.  You can also find video from Channel News Asia here (look for the haze video).

According to this article, Singapore has offered to help put out the fires, but has been turned down.

Sadly, there is no rain predicted in the next few days and winds will continue to blow the smoke directly at Singapore.

Filed under: general places, medical, Pictures, Singapore | 3 Comments »

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