Singapore


Vacation is definitely not overrated. it’s only once I turned off my laptop and pager, and took my work badge off, got on the plane when I felt liberated. Chains off, I’m free again! Best feeling ever. like it was always when i was a student in Europe. I had no obligations to answer the phone, email, nothing…
Heightened senses, eyes wide open, i enjoyed every minute of just observing people around me.

Videos I saw on the plane: one italian comedy that centers around the meaning of a marriage/relationship, and fantasies after commiting.. as well as the bad reputation of the UN parliament PMs, a lesson taught by a Baltic representative to an Italian one – that representing the people and showing a good example of family man is the most important thing, and not to lie or cheat to get what you want.
One about the brain, and the power of the subconscious, the science of laughter…

Best way to spend your layover in Singapore: Find a nice guy who will offer to pay for your train ticket and lunch because you forgot to take cash from the ATM machine.
Everyone is so short! I could see over 75% of the population’s head, the ambience of the place was very peaceful, everyone kind of relaxed in that good asian way. The first thing that hits you is the humidity and heat. Coming from rainy-cold Portland, this was definitely a shock to the body, making me a bit dizzy and giving me a slight headache. Riding the metro system to the town center was an interesting combination of londonesque Tube that smelled like salty chinese food and looking out the windows, you would see Euro-Chinese architecture mixed with very-American paraphanelia, and the occasional arab-headdressed women walking around with sun-brellas that doubled for umbrellas. It was here that I heard the first thunderclap since last summer in Virginia. Ahh the sound of that energy just electrified me. Had a nice lunch at some street-food place- rice+ some sort of steamed vegetable and chicken (amazingly slim chicken-probably the real size a chicken should be) with a spiced-brothy soup. again, paid for by super nice Indian guy I found at the airport.
Coming back to the airport, customs was mixed with security. This checkpoint was the utmost mimimal and kind of made me sad how ridiculous the US ones are.. it consisted of 1 xray machine that xrayed my bag -laptop inside, no problem – no metal detector or anything. I got another stamp in my passport which is already half full.. maybe should make a game out of seeing if i can fill all of it before it expires (I have about 7 years left!).
The airport itself is also pretty amazing. besides free wifi- there’s also a gym and massage center, food 24 hours, at least 1 buttefly garden, everything written in english… virtually is a blessing , everything well marked, people calm and smiling. Time for my flight!

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