Lion City Blues
Third time I've been to Singapore this year. I always find new reasons to love and hate the place.
When I went there for AUDC, I was pissed with how anal their transport system was. Bus driver (specifically hired to bring us to the airport at 5 in the morning) leaves us behind at the bus stop because we were late a couple of minutes. Wanker. Give me a G-Liner driver anyday, at least they're client-centric with all the swerving and weaving to get passengers where they want to go. But not in Singapore. I had to find my way to the airport with the UPD and CSB debaters Amazing Race-style, running from one end of the island (where NTU was) to the other end (where Changi was) before the sun was up with our luggage literally full of tons of matter. All this with a bloody hangover to boot.
This trip, I spent an hour and a half looking for a convenience store to reload my Singapore SIM card. Why? Because the 7-11 nearest to my hotel CLOSED at 10 p.m. I didn't even know that was possible. I mean, if 7-11 can close, then no one is safe - it's like McDonald's without the greasy french fries or Starbucks without the overpriced coffee. It's a violation of the safe, sane rules that govern human existence in the 21st century.
On the plus side, I got to experience a slice of the more authentic Singapore - went to a lot of places off the beaten tourist circuit, and got to try a lot of unique restaurants there (most of them paid for by ING or friends - thanks Deb and RK). I didn't go to Zouk, but checked out Club Street instead and ended up chilling over a couple of beers at Union Bar. Most of what I like about Singapore is evident in the feel of the city - while it may be strict and uptight, it's cosmopolitan and almost edgy in some aspects. Their design aesthetic and their tastes in food, music and atmosphere make Manila look crass and outdated.
I stayed in Raffles The Plaza hotel (and yes that's it's full name, don't ask me why) in this huge suite - I could've housed two Filipino families in the space they gave me. The bed was so comfortable and big that I preferred lazing around in it over shopping. Staying there made me feel kind of lonely though - it's the kind of room where you want to have a group of friends come by to hang out with over drinks, or have someone stay over a night. The room was wasted with me alone.
So now the question staring me in the face once again is, do I seriously want to consider relocating to Singapore? I think I'm inching closer to an answer.
When I went there for AUDC, I was pissed with how anal their transport system was. Bus driver (specifically hired to bring us to the airport at 5 in the morning) leaves us behind at the bus stop because we were late a couple of minutes. Wanker. Give me a G-Liner driver anyday, at least they're client-centric with all the swerving and weaving to get passengers where they want to go. But not in Singapore. I had to find my way to the airport with the UPD and CSB debaters Amazing Race-style, running from one end of the island (where NTU was) to the other end (where Changi was) before the sun was up with our luggage literally full of tons of matter. All this with a bloody hangover to boot.
This trip, I spent an hour and a half looking for a convenience store to reload my Singapore SIM card. Why? Because the 7-11 nearest to my hotel CLOSED at 10 p.m. I didn't even know that was possible. I mean, if 7-11 can close, then no one is safe - it's like McDonald's without the greasy french fries or Starbucks without the overpriced coffee. It's a violation of the safe, sane rules that govern human existence in the 21st century.
On the plus side, I got to experience a slice of the more authentic Singapore - went to a lot of places off the beaten tourist circuit, and got to try a lot of unique restaurants there (most of them paid for by ING or friends - thanks Deb and RK). I didn't go to Zouk, but checked out Club Street instead and ended up chilling over a couple of beers at Union Bar. Most of what I like about Singapore is evident in the feel of the city - while it may be strict and uptight, it's cosmopolitan and almost edgy in some aspects. Their design aesthetic and their tastes in food, music and atmosphere make Manila look crass and outdated.
I stayed in Raffles The Plaza hotel (and yes that's it's full name, don't ask me why) in this huge suite - I could've housed two Filipino families in the space they gave me. The bed was so comfortable and big that I preferred lazing around in it over shopping. Staying there made me feel kind of lonely though - it's the kind of room where you want to have a group of friends come by to hang out with over drinks, or have someone stay over a night. The room was wasted with me alone.
So now the question staring me in the face once again is, do I seriously want to consider relocating to Singapore? I think I'm inching closer to an answer.