So after many many crazy taxi rides with even crazier drivers, I thought it's time to put pen to paper and document the top 3 things I have heard/learnt over the last couple of months in the backseat of a cab... I am sure there will be more to come!
#1 (and my personal favourite) - DOGS
Driver: 'Dogs can sense if you have eaten dog before'
Me: 'Really? How?'
Driver: 'They just know'
Me: 'What about cats?'
Driver: 'I'm not sure, I don't eat cats'
Me: 'but you eat dog?'
Driver: 'No I don't eat cats or dogs'
Me: 'So how do you know that dogs can tell if you have eaten dog?'
Driver: 'I just know'
Me: 'Fair enough...'
#2 - YEAH
After some discussion...
Driver: 'Are you Australian?'
Me: 'Yes'
Driver: 'I can tell... you Aussie's say 'yeah' all the time... ' 'You want to go here? 'Yeah'? 'Do you like Singapore?' 'yeah'...
Me: 'Yeah, I guess we do say it a lot...'
#3 - LITTLE INDIA
Driver: 'Do not go to Little India on a Sunday, you will be swallowed by a sea of black'
Me: 'Sorry?, what do you mean?'
Driver: 'You know Indian people, they all have black skin and hair, the street is full and you will not be able to find your way through the sea of black. Also taxi's will not go there on this day'.
Me: 'Oh of course.... ok...' (In my head: OMG are you serious! Poor choice of words buddy!)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
A little 'crowded'
Last night I had my very first 'cinema experience' in Singapore.
Yes, Harry Potter is in town and as a dedicated fan, I couldn't not go on the opening night! :)
I bought our tickets online about 3 days prior and was shocked at how many tickets were available! I was thinking - are these Singaporeans crazy?? this is the last installment people! (I know, I know, not everyone is into Harry Potter.... but everyone should be :P)
Thankfully (and unfortunately) the locals did not disappoint! The cinema was packed, I saw only a few scattered free chairs in a theatre of over 500! Oh yes, I am not exaggerating, this place was bigger than Sydney's IMAX, but with a standard size screen and a slightly tiered floor! Crazy!
As expected, hubby and I went as 'back seat rebels' - always the best seats in the house in Aus! Not so much in Singapore - you are a LONG way from the screen..... Thank god I was lucky enough to have a Singaporean lady sit in front of me! (I'm a short ass, and struggle at the best of times to see the screen!)
Next time we plan to hit up gold class - we figure the cinema will have to be AT least half the size! :P
Plus, who can resist huge couches, good food and wine whilst kicking back watching the latest flicks?
Yes, Harry Potter is in town and as a dedicated fan, I couldn't not go on the opening night! :)
I bought our tickets online about 3 days prior and was shocked at how many tickets were available! I was thinking - are these Singaporeans crazy?? this is the last installment people! (I know, I know, not everyone is into Harry Potter.... but everyone should be :P)
Thankfully (and unfortunately) the locals did not disappoint! The cinema was packed, I saw only a few scattered free chairs in a theatre of over 500! Oh yes, I am not exaggerating, this place was bigger than Sydney's IMAX, but with a standard size screen and a slightly tiered floor! Crazy!
As expected, hubby and I went as 'back seat rebels' - always the best seats in the house in Aus! Not so much in Singapore - you are a LONG way from the screen..... Thank god I was lucky enough to have a Singaporean lady sit in front of me! (I'm a short ass, and struggle at the best of times to see the screen!)
Next time we plan to hit up gold class - we figure the cinema will have to be AT least half the size! :P
Plus, who can resist huge couches, good food and wine whilst kicking back watching the latest flicks?
Monday, November 8, 2010
Celebrations & public holidays!
So, Australian's love to promote the fact that Australia is indeed a multicultural society... BUT we don't really celebrate the multiculturalism on a national scale...
Here in Singapore, the nation celebrates key religious festivals by way of a public holiday! AND the whole country seems to get behind them and understand what is being celebrated and why! Brilliant!
Here is a snapshot of the public holidays for next year!
We recently celebrated Diwali (or Deepavali) - the festival of lights. For Hindus, like my husband and his family, Diwali is the most important festival of the year. When asked, they often refer to this day as their equivalent to New Year.
This year, after completing prayers at home, I headed into Little India to join the street celebrations!
What an atmosphere! I am not exagerating when I say thousands flocked to the area, some shopping for groceries and fresh flower garlands for the gods, others decorating themselves with traditional mehndi, dining out or enjoying a picnic with friends & colleagues.
Though it appeared that most were there to lap up the monumental once a year sales!
Oh yes, DVD's, CD's, clothing, shoes, carpets, electronics... you name it, it was on sale, and we're talking BIG discounts!
I was told by some locals, for the best deals, to head to the EXPO located opposite the famous 24/hr Mustafa shopping centre. They instructed me to go AFTER 2am for the best bargains. (Yes.. 2am. The EXPO essentially remains open until everything is sold, which is usually around 5am... ) I couldn't last that long, but did go at 11.45pm and left at 1.30am... talk about crazy! I can see how the best bargains are toward the end. Even at that hour (after about 1.00am) some stalls began auctioning off $120 outfits to the highest bidder (for around $15!) - brilliant!
The EXPO kind of reminded me of Paddy's markets in Sydney, just with 10 times the amount of people, 1/4 of the space and 5 times the heat! Boy was it hot. As you looked around, there wasn't a dry back in the house! Sweat was literally pouring off everyone, though that didn't seem to stop the intensity of the shopping!
Like I said.... Crazy!
I ended up scoring 5 Indian outfits, a much needed bottle of 7UP (it was all they had!) and a CD, all for under $70!
It was such a fabulous experience - can't wait for next year!
Until then, I look forward to celebrating all the other religious festivals with the Singaporeans!
Here in Singapore, the nation celebrates key religious festivals by way of a public holiday! AND the whole country seems to get behind them and understand what is being celebrated and why! Brilliant!
Here is a snapshot of the public holidays for next year!
| New Year's Day | Saturday 1 January |
| Chinese New Year (Buddhist) | Thursday 3 February Friday 4 February |
| Good Friday (Christian) | Friday 22 April |
| Labour Day | Sunday 1 May |
| Vesak Day (Buddhist) | Tuesday 17 May |
| National Day | Tuesday 9 August |
| Hari Raya Puasa (Muslim) | Tuesday 30 August |
| Deepavali (Hindu) | Wednesday 26 October |
| Hari Raya Haji (Muslim) | Sunday 6 November |
| Christmas Day (Christian) | Sunday 25 December |
We recently celebrated Diwali (or Deepavali) - the festival of lights. For Hindus, like my husband and his family, Diwali is the most important festival of the year. When asked, they often refer to this day as their equivalent to New Year.
This year, after completing prayers at home, I headed into Little India to join the street celebrations!
What an atmosphere! I am not exagerating when I say thousands flocked to the area, some shopping for groceries and fresh flower garlands for the gods, others decorating themselves with traditional mehndi, dining out or enjoying a picnic with friends & colleagues.
Though it appeared that most were there to lap up the monumental once a year sales!
Oh yes, DVD's, CD's, clothing, shoes, carpets, electronics... you name it, it was on sale, and we're talking BIG discounts!
I was told by some locals, for the best deals, to head to the EXPO located opposite the famous 24/hr Mustafa shopping centre. They instructed me to go AFTER 2am for the best bargains. (Yes.. 2am. The EXPO essentially remains open until everything is sold, which is usually around 5am... ) I couldn't last that long, but did go at 11.45pm and left at 1.30am... talk about crazy! I can see how the best bargains are toward the end. Even at that hour (after about 1.00am) some stalls began auctioning off $120 outfits to the highest bidder (for around $15!) - brilliant!
The EXPO kind of reminded me of Paddy's markets in Sydney, just with 10 times the amount of people, 1/4 of the space and 5 times the heat! Boy was it hot. As you looked around, there wasn't a dry back in the house! Sweat was literally pouring off everyone, though that didn't seem to stop the intensity of the shopping!
Like I said.... Crazy!
I ended up scoring 5 Indian outfits, a much needed bottle of 7UP (it was all they had!) and a CD, all for under $70!
It was such a fabulous experience - can't wait for next year!
Until then, I look forward to celebrating all the other religious festivals with the Singaporeans!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Little India
Walking the streets of Little India has become (by no real surprise) one of my favourite things to do. I love the people, the culture, the food, the sounds and smells of this district.
My first trip to the amazing place was one to remember... hot, 30+ and humid, the cotton outfit I'd selected to wear (specifically to be comfortable and as cool as possible) was sticking to me, sweat dripping down my back... Serangoon Road, a road I thought I could cover in 15 minutes seemed to never end. (I still haven't covered the entire street, let alone the whole district!) I shopped my heart out, made a few friends (shop keepers that 'took' to me) and had the most amazing masala dosai and chai. I was planning my next trip before I'd even left :P
Shop windows are filled with draped sari's and outfits; their sparkle and colour draw your attention, copious jewelers showcasing rows and rows of yellow gold jewellery worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, bargain outlets where you can find just about anything for under $10, beauty salons that offer standard treatments along with henna hair treatments, threading and mehndi.
There are restaurants, music stores, tailors and money exchange outlets. A 7/11 and 24 hour shopping centre! The air smells of spices and incense and the narrow foot paths are filled with local shoppers and tourists (often spilling out onto the street, due to lack of space).
The sound of the latest bollywood tracks or classical favourites follow you where ever you go and then right in the middle of all the chaos, the Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman temple, a beautiful structure that took my breath away.
I haven't yet been lucky enough to travel to India itself, so for me this is as close as I have come - and this taste, only leaves me wanting more.
My first trip to the amazing place was one to remember... hot, 30+ and humid, the cotton outfit I'd selected to wear (specifically to be comfortable and as cool as possible) was sticking to me, sweat dripping down my back... Serangoon Road, a road I thought I could cover in 15 minutes seemed to never end. (I still haven't covered the entire street, let alone the whole district!) I shopped my heart out, made a few friends (shop keepers that 'took' to me) and had the most amazing masala dosai and chai. I was planning my next trip before I'd even left :P
Shop windows are filled with draped sari's and outfits; their sparkle and colour draw your attention, copious jewelers showcasing rows and rows of yellow gold jewellery worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, bargain outlets where you can find just about anything for under $10, beauty salons that offer standard treatments along with henna hair treatments, threading and mehndi.
There are restaurants, music stores, tailors and money exchange outlets. A 7/11 and 24 hour shopping centre! The air smells of spices and incense and the narrow foot paths are filled with local shoppers and tourists (often spilling out onto the street, due to lack of space).
The sound of the latest bollywood tracks or classical favourites follow you where ever you go and then right in the middle of all the chaos, the Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman temple, a beautiful structure that took my breath away.
I haven't yet been lucky enough to travel to India itself, so for me this is as close as I have come - and this taste, only leaves me wanting more.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Food glorious food?
Singapore is like being stuck in a mall that is filled with candy stores, bakeries & fast food outlets...
The temptation of unhealthy food is everywhere and it is SO cheap... it haunts you... Every shopping centre, hokka centre, the streets, the supermarket... and what's more, the majority of locals eat out EVERY day, so the social environment doesn't encourage you to eat well or eat at home!
Or if you do decide to eat at home, you can always order McDonald's or KFC home delivery! 24/7!
What appears to be a local favourite is fried chicken wings. My god, I have never seen so many chicken wings consumed in my life! Everyone here LOVES them! and everywhere here seems to serve them!
Hokka centres, food courts, bars, pubs even IKEA! and what's more, it is considered a 'side dish', so... 6 people are sitting at a table with their actual meal in front of them (rice + something... in HUGE portions) and then, they may have up to 4 plates of fried chicken wings (average 8 per plate) in the middle of the table for everyone to share! OMG!
The Singaporeans are thin, yes, but they can't have good cholesterol levels.. surely!?....
In the supermarket I can't even explain the depth of processed foods, sweet bread, snacks, lollies, chocolate, biscuits, spreads, dairy snacks, local sweets & ice cream... actually... when I really think about it, I'm not sure if there actually is more junk than in Australia, or if it is just the fact that there are less healthy options and the supermarkets are smaller, so it looks like it is filled head to toe with sugar treats, but in fact it's not?
All I know is, I NEVER bought naughty snacks when living in Sydney (I wouldn't even walk in that aisle), but here it is unavoidable! Every aisle is filled with them! I just came back from the supermarket here with Tim Tams, Ritz crackers, sweet biscuits, nutella and BBQ chicken buns! Ridiculous!
I think from now on I am going to attempt to do my shopping online - so as to avoid temptation!
The temptation of unhealthy food is everywhere and it is SO cheap... it haunts you... Every shopping centre, hokka centre, the streets, the supermarket... and what's more, the majority of locals eat out EVERY day, so the social environment doesn't encourage you to eat well or eat at home!
Or if you do decide to eat at home, you can always order McDonald's or KFC home delivery! 24/7!
What appears to be a local favourite is fried chicken wings. My god, I have never seen so many chicken wings consumed in my life! Everyone here LOVES them! and everywhere here seems to serve them!
Hokka centres, food courts, bars, pubs even IKEA! and what's more, it is considered a 'side dish', so... 6 people are sitting at a table with their actual meal in front of them (rice + something... in HUGE portions) and then, they may have up to 4 plates of fried chicken wings (average 8 per plate) in the middle of the table for everyone to share! OMG!
The Singaporeans are thin, yes, but they can't have good cholesterol levels.. surely!?....
In the supermarket I can't even explain the depth of processed foods, sweet bread, snacks, lollies, chocolate, biscuits, spreads, dairy snacks, local sweets & ice cream... actually... when I really think about it, I'm not sure if there actually is more junk than in Australia, or if it is just the fact that there are less healthy options and the supermarkets are smaller, so it looks like it is filled head to toe with sugar treats, but in fact it's not?
All I know is, I NEVER bought naughty snacks when living in Sydney (I wouldn't even walk in that aisle), but here it is unavoidable! Every aisle is filled with them! I just came back from the supermarket here with Tim Tams, Ritz crackers, sweet biscuits, nutella and BBQ chicken buns! Ridiculous!
I think from now on I am going to attempt to do my shopping online - so as to avoid temptation!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)