SGP Day 1: 16.04

My plane touched down 5 mins before 12 noon, and was out waiting for the taxi to go to the hotel. Since this is my first travel alone, I was at lost. The airport seems to be a maze I could get lost in.  There were a lot of other Filipinos who were in the same flight, and it made me feel some bit of a homesickness hearing them talk to each other.

Touchdown

I took a taxi from the airport to the hotel.  The Indian driver was actually very friendly. He talked about basic SG stuff. There is one thing that I didn't like very much though. When he learned that I am a Filipino, he told me that there would be a lot of Filipinos out at the current day (Easter Sunday), and the short-time hotels would be filled with them.  I felt myself blush (and I don't think I'm still capable of it).  To be associated with people who spend their day-offs during Sunday is one thing, but to add more like socializing and meeting in short-time hotels for 2 hours is just one more. I mean, really?! Are we moving from being domestic caretakers to short-time whores? It actually made me feel sad. I plastered a smile in my face just so not to show any negative emotion (okay, this is my 1st day, alone and I am with a stranger in a taxi). No offense to the people who live here, but I kind of expected something better. Or maybe, it's really the hard truth and I have to bear with the image that most Filipinos and Filipinas projected, and poor those who come in later and have to live with that. If this is how Filipinos are treated outside, how about at work? I have yet to find that out.

I checked in the Hotel around 1pm, and fix my stuff. I have two double beds, and just lil ole me filling up the space. I have a pretty nice view on the 44th floor. I'm wondering what happens if I jumped from the balcony, would I be able to go straight on target of the pool. hahaha. Since I was able to type this in, that means I haven't done that yet. It took me some good minutes before I was able to figure out that I need to insert the card key fixed on the switch stuff near the door. I was thinking of calling the lobby.  Good thing for curious mind, smart logic and timidness to admit stupidity. hahaha. Of course, after having electricity on my room, I fixed my stuff on the cabinet, and iron out clothes for the week. Just to be ready.

 
The Views from my balcony

Since I don't have internet access from the hotel, I decided I need to walk around. Today's Sunday, so I checked a map and saw a nearby church. Good thing that the schedule for Filipino mass was at 2.00pm, I was able to attend at St. Andrew's Cathedral.  It is pretty, and solemn. From there, I walked to the monument, then to the Esplanade. I didn't get closed to the Merlion but I saw it from the Esplanade. I would have wanted to take a picture with me, but it would have been weird. And I didn't think it'll be a good picture with me on it. hahaha.

Okay.. bear with the shots. Amateur photographer in practice.

 
St. Andrew's Cathedral

I walked from the Esplanade to the Marina Square, then found lots of other malls until I got into Suntec City.

I thought that the sun never sets in Singapore. But it doesn't mean that it never rain. I was actually lost (walking around) between three malls when the rain poured like crazy. I couldn't find a cab, and I don't want to. This is where I found the underground mall. And it led me back to my hotel. Call it, the yellow-brick road. Around the area, it's called Citylink mall.

An urban life under the ground

This would probably be my longest writing for the week, considering I don't have the luxury of the broadband internet connection from my hotel. Tired stranger needs to have some rest.

Hmmm. My first night as a stranger in a foreign land. Can't wait to see for the next adventures, but I need to get some shut-eye for tomorrow's workshop

An Easter Sunday @ the Transit Lounge

I was cleared at the Immigration Office before 6am, and was patiently waiting for the boarding call. The boarding time is 7.40am, so I waited at the Transit Lounge.

Nope. That's not me. It's just another person waiting to get called in. I wanted to take the picture of the sign above, but I was too far. Plus, my handy-dandy camera won't be able to handle that.

What struck me is this scenario. I wasn't able to take a good pic, so bear with me.

I call this a picture of love.  Sitting not too far from this couple, I could see the warmth and tenderness aged with their bodies. They said whiskey grew finer with age. I see love at its roughest form, but with its purest essence in tact - makes me wanna sing Adam Sandler's song in The Wedding Singer. I wanna Grow old with you.

Updated: 25.04.2006 ~ yeah, i need to put in the lyrics

[Billy Idol (speaking):]
Good afternoon, everyone.  We're flying at 26,000 feet,
moving up to thirty thousand feet, and then we've got
clear skies all the way to Las Vegas, and right now we're bringing
you some in-flight entertainment.  One of our first-class passengers
has written a song inspired by one of our coach passengers,
and since we let our first-class passengers do pretty much
whatever they want, here he is.

So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink
Put you to bed if you've had too much to drink
I could be the man who grows old with you
I wanna grow old with you