I have listed below the kind of friends that a girl just must have:
1) 3 a.m. friends - Atleast two, one of these will most likely be sat next her saying, "we are so dead" and the other will be busy running from pillar to post trying to bail her from whatever quagmire she has got herself into.
2) A couple of friends on speed dial who she can call when the rickshaw driver gets overfriendly and wants to engage her in some interesting anecdote.
3) A couple of friends with whom she can just be herself, no pretence or false facade needed when they are around, normally the 3 a.m. friends will fall into this category. These friends would have seen her at her most vulnerable and would have stood next to her through thick and thin. They will be able to tell her on her face when she is making an ass of herself and also be able to egg her on when she needs the boost to do something radical (like say dye her hair purple, get a tattoo, make a bold career move or ask that cute guy who has been eyeing her for the last one month out for coffee).
4) A couple of gal pals to go shopping, gossiping or gymming (weight is best lost when you have company, else it is a lost cause, ask me the best weight loss I have had was when I had company from other weight gain afflictees).
5) A male friend who will give her the guy's perspective to every ticklish problem.
6) A tee-totaller girlfriend to go to parties with, so that just incase she drinks herself silly, she can rest assured that she will arrive home safe.
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Alone in the crowd...
Tears fall freely
It is all over except for the pain
there is nothing to expect
it was all in vain
Cheer, happiness and gaiety
People all around
then why do I feel
Alone in the crowd...
It is all over except for the pain
there is nothing to expect
it was all in vain
Cheer, happiness and gaiety
People all around
then why do I feel
Alone in the crowd...
Saturday, 6 November 2010
How many people are you ?
Ok so I am back in one piece from my trip to Bintan Island, and I can safely say that this is a just a beginning of my love affair with Indonesia. If I ever get married, I am going to make the poor sod who marries me bring me here for our honeymoon...period. The hotel staff and my colleague who is a native of Bintan Island ensured that I had an unforgettable and heart warming stay is Indonesia. I have come back after experiencing some wonderful Indonesian hospitality, it is 100% true when I say that I spent three days and two nights in heaven.
It all began one week ago over lunch where we (yes, I am part of a desi lunch group S1,S2, A and yours truly) were discussing vacation spots and S1 told me that Bintan Island was a very lovely place and definitely worth a dekho. Back at office I realised that K my co-worker is from Bintan Island and she was going home that Friday, I decided to tag along. She was more than happy for me to go with her, she even graciously arranged for me stay at the Bintan Agro Resort and Spa, going to the extent of haggling with the agent on the hotel room rates and getting me quite a discount!!!
I did have some misgivings about travelling alone and expressed the same only to have it unceremoniously shot down by S1 with, "Darrna kya hai, bacchi thodi hai, marenge thodi". After much deliberation I decided to bite the bullet and I will remain eternally grateful to S1 for the pep talk as I have come back with a new sense of self and heighted independence. Though the news was not received with as much enthusiam back home in India, my parents surprised me by whole heartedly supporting the venture, but my friends thought I was being fool hardy and did not mince words... their main concern being the tsunami & volcano errupting on other islands in Indonesia.With all these happening in the background I arrived at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on Friday to take the 12.30 p.m. ferry (yes, you can travel from Singapore to Indonesia by ferry). After breezing through immigrations we walked upto the ferry, the last part of the approach road floats on water so you feel quite disoriented as it tends to rock quite a bit... once inside the ferry it was quite OK.
After an uneventful two and half hours we arrived at Tanjun Pinang. I was waiting at immigration to get my passport stamped when one of the guards broke into a song, he actually grinned and started singing 'Tujhe dekha toh yeh jaana sanam, pyaar hota hai deewana sanam...' I honestly did not know what to do at that point and pretended to be deaf. Afer this warm welcome at immigrations check I was sure this was going to be an eventful trip!!!Outside the ferry terminal the agent was waiting to lead all the tourists to the hotel transport that would bring us to the resort, K walked me to the transport and after ensuring I was in safe hands and telling the agent to 'Look after her tamu' left to meet her family. The resort is 45 minutes away from the ferry terminal and the road winds through some really picturesque locales. The villages along the way reminded me of villages back in my home town Mangalore what with coconut trees, ferns, right down to the red soil!!!
I arrived at the resort and what I saw took my breath away. The resort is situated on the beach and each and every room has a sea view. I made my way to the reception where I was greeted by the staff with a "Miss, how many person are you ??", I was like, 'I am just me" amd they looked quite taken aback, I understand a little background is needed, the resort is white sands, clear waters, palm fronds, peace, quiet and privacy, I am sure you get my drift, yes,it is a chosen destination for honeymooners and couples wanting some privacy. I am sure they must I never have had a SWF (Single Wheatish Female in my case) as a guest. Even the waitress who brought me my room service meals was surprised, 'Why are you alone?' all of a sudden I was tempted to make up a story of how my non-existent boy friend ditched me at the last moment, but I decided to go with the truth. She then took it on herself to look after me, the next morning when I did not arrive at the breakfast table, the reception called me to let me know that the buffet was open till 10 a.m. On reaching the breakfast area the waitress fawned all over me, would you like to eat this, can I bring you some tea, some prata, milk ...actually made me feel like a princess.
After a hearty breakfast I hired a cycle and biked to every corner of the resort. Then I made my way to the spa and indulged the next three hours in being furthered pampered. When the treatment was complete, I went up to the my room and promptly went off to sleep, the massage is absolutely divine and guranteed to ensure that all your tensions leave your body and mind!!! I don't remember when I last crashed out like I did after the massage. The rest of the day was spent relaxing watching the sea throught the french windows.
The next morning I went on an island tour, it consists of a trip via motor boat to a tiny secluded island. In good weather snorkelling is possible here, however due to the rains it was not possible to snorkel so we just mooched over the beach and returned to the resort. Before I knew it, it was time to return to Singapore, I think I have left a part of my soul in Bintan Pura, there are other activities like canoeing, boating, mangrove tour etc, I intend to do it all next time when I come here with someone.. hope this is not just wishful thinking!!!
It all began one week ago over lunch where we (yes, I am part of a desi lunch group S1,S2, A and yours truly) were discussing vacation spots and S1 told me that Bintan Island was a very lovely place and definitely worth a dekho. Back at office I realised that K my co-worker is from Bintan Island and she was going home that Friday, I decided to tag along. She was more than happy for me to go with her, she even graciously arranged for me stay at the Bintan Agro Resort and Spa, going to the extent of haggling with the agent on the hotel room rates and getting me quite a discount!!!
I did have some misgivings about travelling alone and expressed the same only to have it unceremoniously shot down by S1 with, "Darrna kya hai, bacchi thodi hai, marenge thodi". After much deliberation I decided to bite the bullet and I will remain eternally grateful to S1 for the pep talk as I have come back with a new sense of self and heighted independence. Though the news was not received with as much enthusiam back home in India, my parents surprised me by whole heartedly supporting the venture, but my friends thought I was being fool hardy and did not mince words... their main concern being the tsunami & volcano errupting on other islands in Indonesia.With all these happening in the background I arrived at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on Friday to take the 12.30 p.m. ferry (yes, you can travel from Singapore to Indonesia by ferry). After breezing through immigrations we walked upto the ferry, the last part of the approach road floats on water so you feel quite disoriented as it tends to rock quite a bit... once inside the ferry it was quite OK.
After an uneventful two and half hours we arrived at Tanjun Pinang. I was waiting at immigration to get my passport stamped when one of the guards broke into a song, he actually grinned and started singing 'Tujhe dekha toh yeh jaana sanam, pyaar hota hai deewana sanam...' I honestly did not know what to do at that point and pretended to be deaf. Afer this warm welcome at immigrations check I was sure this was going to be an eventful trip!!!Outside the ferry terminal the agent was waiting to lead all the tourists to the hotel transport that would bring us to the resort, K walked me to the transport and after ensuring I was in safe hands and telling the agent to 'Look after her tamu' left to meet her family. The resort is 45 minutes away from the ferry terminal and the road winds through some really picturesque locales. The villages along the way reminded me of villages back in my home town Mangalore what with coconut trees, ferns, right down to the red soil!!!
I arrived at the resort and what I saw took my breath away. The resort is situated on the beach and each and every room has a sea view. I made my way to the reception where I was greeted by the staff with a "Miss, how many person are you ??", I was like, 'I am just me" amd they looked quite taken aback, I understand a little background is needed, the resort is white sands, clear waters, palm fronds, peace, quiet and privacy, I am sure you get my drift, yes,it is a chosen destination for honeymooners and couples wanting some privacy. I am sure they must I never have had a SWF (Single Wheatish Female in my case) as a guest. Even the waitress who brought me my room service meals was surprised, 'Why are you alone?' all of a sudden I was tempted to make up a story of how my non-existent boy friend ditched me at the last moment, but I decided to go with the truth. She then took it on herself to look after me, the next morning when I did not arrive at the breakfast table, the reception called me to let me know that the buffet was open till 10 a.m. On reaching the breakfast area the waitress fawned all over me, would you like to eat this, can I bring you some tea, some prata, milk ...actually made me feel like a princess.
After a hearty breakfast I hired a cycle and biked to every corner of the resort. Then I made my way to the spa and indulged the next three hours in being furthered pampered. When the treatment was complete, I went up to the my room and promptly went off to sleep, the massage is absolutely divine and guranteed to ensure that all your tensions leave your body and mind!!! I don't remember when I last crashed out like I did after the massage. The rest of the day was spent relaxing watching the sea throught the french windows.
The next morning I went on an island tour, it consists of a trip via motor boat to a tiny secluded island. In good weather snorkelling is possible here, however due to the rains it was not possible to snorkel so we just mooched over the beach and returned to the resort. Before I knew it, it was time to return to Singapore, I think I have left a part of my soul in Bintan Pura, there are other activities like canoeing, boating, mangrove tour etc, I intend to do it all next time when I come here with someone.. hope this is not just wishful thinking!!!
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Vacation...Bintan Island...!!!
'WHAT!!!... are you freaking insane !!!'
A screams at me over the long distance international call...I had just informed her of my intention to go to Bintan Island, Indonesia, my first solo vacation in all my years of existance. I am excluding the Birmingham, Mangalore and Kerala trips here as I had people waiting for me in each of these places and it was only the travelling that was solo.
'The place is reeling from the effects of the latest tsunami with the added tension of a volcano that might erupt anytime and you are telling me you are planning to go there via FERRY, have you completely lost it?'.
Holding the phone a few inches away from my ear, I tried reasoning that I am going to Bintan and not the tsunami hit area. But A is beyond caring, 'Why do you have to be so masochistic ?, Can't you think of any other ways to torture yourself and others around you ?'
'But A, it is just a vacation, I have not enrolled myself at a concentration camp of any sort you know, my colleague lives in Bintan Island, she is planning to go so I am tagging alone, OK, granted that I will be on my own once there, I think it is about time I started taking some risks...'
Also come to think of it, this travelling by ferry bit is kind of funny, it keeps reminding me of a film I saw years ago, about two conmen who run a travel cum employment agency who promise people that they will take them to Dubai. The travellers are taken aboard a ferry and after a few hours they are told that they have arrived in Dubai and asked to alight. It is only after the ferry has left that they realise they have been duped and are actually at Madh Island on the other side of Mumbai. I dare not say this to A, she would just punch me through the phone if it were possible.
To be honest I would not dream of going on such a trip if I were in India, but so far this trip has been full of surprises so I am hoping that I will be pleasantly surprised by the good time that I have in Bintan !!!
More on the trip once I am back...
A screams at me over the long distance international call...I had just informed her of my intention to go to Bintan Island, Indonesia, my first solo vacation in all my years of existance. I am excluding the Birmingham, Mangalore and Kerala trips here as I had people waiting for me in each of these places and it was only the travelling that was solo.
'The place is reeling from the effects of the latest tsunami with the added tension of a volcano that might erupt anytime and you are telling me you are planning to go there via FERRY, have you completely lost it?'.
Holding the phone a few inches away from my ear, I tried reasoning that I am going to Bintan and not the tsunami hit area. But A is beyond caring, 'Why do you have to be so masochistic ?, Can't you think of any other ways to torture yourself and others around you ?'
'But A, it is just a vacation, I have not enrolled myself at a concentration camp of any sort you know, my colleague lives in Bintan Island, she is planning to go so I am tagging alone, OK, granted that I will be on my own once there, I think it is about time I started taking some risks...'
Also come to think of it, this travelling by ferry bit is kind of funny, it keeps reminding me of a film I saw years ago, about two conmen who run a travel cum employment agency who promise people that they will take them to Dubai. The travellers are taken aboard a ferry and after a few hours they are told that they have arrived in Dubai and asked to alight. It is only after the ferry has left that they realise they have been duped and are actually at Madh Island on the other side of Mumbai. I dare not say this to A, she would just punch me through the phone if it were possible.
To be honest I would not dream of going on such a trip if I were in India, but so far this trip has been full of surprises so I am hoping that I will be pleasantly surprised by the good time that I have in Bintan !!!
More on the trip once I am back...
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Makan Oh Lydia ??
Can't make any sense lah, no problem lah, read on lah!!
As I inch towards completing my third week in Singapore, I look back at the time that I spent in this magical tropical island nation. This country and its people have such a tolerant attitude and they have accepted me as one of their own. It just feels like yesterday that I landed here full of apprehensions about the new land and culture. The other fear that was plaguing me was the fact that Singapore is 2.5 hours ahead of India and to get to office at nine in the morning I would have to get up at 4 am India time, which is something I have never done in my entire life, if you possibly exclude the time as a newborn I might have woken up every two hours for feeding (the operative word here being might, as knowing myself as I do I strongly suspect I did not!!!) I had these nightmares I would be sent home in disgrace for never reaching office on time! Having said that I think I have done quite OK these couple of weeks and will miss Singapore on my return to India.
The thing that I will miss most is the quaint language known as Singlish. Which is spoken in a sing song manner and I am sure is a literal translation of sentences in their native tongue into English. Quite similar to the literal translations of Hindi into English, "Why you rotating outside the girls hostel" a literal translation of "Ladkiyo ke hostel ke bahar kyon chakkar kaat rahe the" :))
You OK lah ?
Please lah, Dont like that lah!!!
Aeiyo, I don know, but I find for you lah ?
I pass it already lah?
Also Can Lah!!!
Can Can Lah!!!
These ones you can still understand, but the one that had me scratching my head was "You Makan Oh lydia". We have this lady in office who helps keep the office clean and tidy, everyone calls her Auntie. She has been very friendly since day one and I quite like her smiling face, she reminds me of a happy sunflower. I was in the washroom when she asked me "You Makan Oh lydia" and I was left staring at her for a few secs, and I like a dumb idiot told her "Haan main theek hoon", I realised what I had done and answered in English at which she "OK lah" followed by a burst of Chinese amid great laughter!!! I walked back to me desk and asked my colleagues what "You Makan Oh lydia" meant, they were at sea and said it meant nothing! After a while one of girls burst into laughter and said Auntie asked "Whether you had food...YOU MAKAN ALREADY!!!" Apparently most of the Indians in Singapore know Malay and MAKAN in Malay mean food, as in you ate already!!!
As I inch towards completing my third week in Singapore, I look back at the time that I spent in this magical tropical island nation. This country and its people have such a tolerant attitude and they have accepted me as one of their own. It just feels like yesterday that I landed here full of apprehensions about the new land and culture. The other fear that was plaguing me was the fact that Singapore is 2.5 hours ahead of India and to get to office at nine in the morning I would have to get up at 4 am India time, which is something I have never done in my entire life, if you possibly exclude the time as a newborn I might have woken up every two hours for feeding (the operative word here being might, as knowing myself as I do I strongly suspect I did not!!!) I had these nightmares I would be sent home in disgrace for never reaching office on time! Having said that I think I have done quite OK these couple of weeks and will miss Singapore on my return to India.
The thing that I will miss most is the quaint language known as Singlish. Which is spoken in a sing song manner and I am sure is a literal translation of sentences in their native tongue into English. Quite similar to the literal translations of Hindi into English, "Why you rotating outside the girls hostel" a literal translation of "Ladkiyo ke hostel ke bahar kyon chakkar kaat rahe the" :))
You OK lah ?
Please lah, Dont like that lah!!!
Aeiyo, I don know, but I find for you lah ?
I pass it already lah?
Also Can Lah!!!
Can Can Lah!!!
These ones you can still understand, but the one that had me scratching my head was "You Makan Oh lydia". We have this lady in office who helps keep the office clean and tidy, everyone calls her Auntie. She has been very friendly since day one and I quite like her smiling face, she reminds me of a happy sunflower. I was in the washroom when she asked me "You Makan Oh lydia" and I was left staring at her for a few secs, and I like a dumb idiot told her "Haan main theek hoon", I realised what I had done and answered in English at which she "OK lah" followed by a burst of Chinese amid great laughter!!! I walked back to me desk and asked my colleagues what "You Makan Oh lydia" meant, they were at sea and said it meant nothing! After a while one of girls burst into laughter and said Auntie asked "Whether you had food...YOU MAKAN ALREADY!!!" Apparently most of the Indians in Singapore know Malay and MAKAN in Malay mean food, as in you ate already!!!
Sunday, 17 October 2010
New Girl in City...Week 2
I have officially lived in Singapore for two weeks and this period has been an eye opener of sorts, I have stumbled upon facts about myself and have been been left wiser for the experience. Some of the things that I have done and discovered so far are:
1) I suddenly realised that I do not like to experiment when it comes to food, I tried to convince myself to try some local foods, but so far I have been unsuccessful, living solely on fruits, sandwiches and some some limited Indian style foods that are available. I find this weird as in Mumbai I am always game to try new food, be it off the street or in restaurants. Today I had tears of joy in my eyes when I located a McDonalds near the hotel that I am put up at...need I say more...
2) My sense of direction is not as bad as I think it is ... I just get intimidated by crowds. Give me peace, quiet and leave me to my own devices and I can do wonders.
3) I hate having to eat out all by myself, though I must clarify that I have no problem with eating alone per se, its just the thought of having to go to a restaurant alone that really puts me off. I would have loved it if I were put up in service apartment :(
4) Just completed reading 'The Curse of the Singles Table' by Suzzane Schlosberg and realised that I am not alone. I could identify with the emotions and feelings that she went through on crossing the dreaded line from single to...still single.
5) The daily soaps on Chinese Television are similar to the ones back home, I am not sure of the level of regressiveness but I am guessig it will not be very much off the Indian Television mark.
6) I have come to realise that Life is something that happens to you when you are busy making other plans. You just have to stop trying too hard and lighten up.
7) People everywhere are just the same, if you approach them with warmth and an open mind they will welcome you in their midst. Everyone needs a little love and understanding!!
1) I suddenly realised that I do not like to experiment when it comes to food, I tried to convince myself to try some local foods, but so far I have been unsuccessful, living solely on fruits, sandwiches and some some limited Indian style foods that are available. I find this weird as in Mumbai I am always game to try new food, be it off the street or in restaurants. Today I had tears of joy in my eyes when I located a McDonalds near the hotel that I am put up at...need I say more...
2) My sense of direction is not as bad as I think it is ... I just get intimidated by crowds. Give me peace, quiet and leave me to my own devices and I can do wonders.
3) I hate having to eat out all by myself, though I must clarify that I have no problem with eating alone per se, its just the thought of having to go to a restaurant alone that really puts me off. I would have loved it if I were put up in service apartment :(
4) Just completed reading 'The Curse of the Singles Table' by Suzzane Schlosberg and realised that I am not alone. I could identify with the emotions and feelings that she went through on crossing the dreaded line from single to...still single.
5) The daily soaps on Chinese Television are similar to the ones back home, I am not sure of the level of regressiveness but I am guessig it will not be very much off the Indian Television mark.
6) I have come to realise that Life is something that happens to you when you are busy making other plans. You just have to stop trying too hard and lighten up.
7) People everywhere are just the same, if you approach them with warmth and an open mind they will welcome you in their midst. Everyone needs a little love and understanding!!
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Durians are not allowed !!!
Hello All,
I have been away from blogging for a while... not that anyone is complaining :( ... just for your information I was working hard to complete all my pending work in Mumbai so that I could come away on secondment to Singapore!!!
I arrived in Singapore on Sunday, so I have effectively been here for less than three days and in this period I have managed to get lost twice, got sandwiched between the elevator doors, ate some bird (which I strongly suspect was definitely not chicken as touted by the vendor) and almost sent a geriatric to the hospital. Also I find mystefying signs that durians are not allowed in hotels!!! Now that I have your complete attention, let me regale you with my story...
Day 0
First story featuring the geriatric...I arrived at the taxi stand a little after seven in the morning, post a enthralling five a half hour flight in a cramped economy class seat with a little girl about one who decided that my life (and her parents of course) was definitely smooth sailing and decided to rock the boat. The minute her parents sat down she began wailing and I was like "Please God, Why me". Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against kids, I love them, so far as they are all cuddles, kisses and cooing, I am their pigeon, the minute they decide to take on a more rudra avataar, I run for the hills. So, I asked for some cotton wool and resigned myself to listen to the different types of raagas that the tot was practising. After an hour or so I guess they managed to sedate her with a tranquiliser gun and she went off to sleep, but sleep evaded me, have you every tried to get some sleep while travelling on a plane, shifting this way and that trying to find the perfect position for economy class seating nirvana. I still have not achieved it!!! Five and half hours later (more like panch janam) we arrived at Singapore and I sleep walked my way to the taxi stand a little after seven thirty in the morning. I slung my handbag on my back after loading my suitcase in the boot of the taxi and barely missed this old man standing behind me to collect the trolley. God, I was so scared, I was like whoops, I have just been let loose in this country for five seconds and people have to run for cover !!!
Day 1
After resting for a while I decided to venture out to buy a prepaid SIM so, I can make sasta calls to India (Cheap, Cheap, I hear you guys say :)) and a travel card for MRT. That was when I got a bit ahead of myself and decided to check how to get to office via MRT and also partly to get a feel of how it is. I travelled upto Raffles Place(this is the station closest to the my office, btw my train station is called Dhobi Ghaut), and then got horribly lost, I walked in the opposite direction and landed up at a station close to Dhobi Ghaut on another line, did not have the heart to walk back so took a train back to the hotel. I made up my mind to take a taxi the next day and then return in the evening by train so I can get my bearings right.
Day 2
I reached office a little before eight and got sandwiched between the elevator door, some doofus pressed the close button before I could get it. Then he was so embarassed, he tried to lighten up the atmosphere by saying "I am usually a zombie till about ten... and thats at night :p". So I said "Its OK" though for a moment I thought "bas Sen ... tera antt aagaya..."
Before I forget, another one I just have to tell you, I went to the loo and and my bum must have just left the toilet seat and it auto flushed... I remembered an old office joke about employees being asked to take only a 30 second loo break, if the employees takes longer to finish, the toilet would auto flush, the paper would roll back, the door would open and a picture would be taken of the employee and put out on the notice board as a defaulter... For a sec...I thought it really does happen here in Singapore :))
Day 3
Today I left office around seven, grabbed a quick dinner and decided to hit the sack early, but fate decided that I have not had enough excitement in my life. I took the MRT to Dhobi Ghaut and as usual took the wrong exit and landed inside the Shopping Mall(one of these days my lack of sense of direction is going to get me into great trouble) and spent the next twenty odd minutes of my life looking for an exit to get out of the Mall... I went to each of the levels looking for an exit that would take me outside the mall but I kept coming back to the same place, after a point I was nearly close to losing it and suddenly I had a brain wave, I popped into a nearby shop, it happened to be a cake shop, bought a slice of Chocolate Rice Cake, paid S$1.50 (a small price for freedom) and casually asked the attendant directions to the nearest exit ... and freedom. I meekly followed the directions and it is thanks to the S$1.50 Chocolate Rice Cake that I sit here typing... as a free woman !!!
Before I sign off for today here is the reason why Durians are not allowed, courtesy wikipedia:
'The durian (pronounced /ˈdʊəriən/)[2] is the fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio and the Malvaceae family[1][3] (although some taxonomists place Durio in a distinct family, Durionaceae[1]). Widely known and revered in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits", the durian is distinctive for its large size, unique odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk. The fruit can grow as large as 30 centimetres (12 in) long and 15 centimetres (6 in) in diameter, and it typically weighs one to three kilograms (2 to 7 lb). Its shape ranges from oblong to round, the colour of its husk green to brown, and its flesh pale yellow to red, depending on the species.The edible flesh emits a distinctive odour, strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact. Some people regard the durian as fragrant; others find the aroma overpowering and offensive. The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust and has been described variously as almonds, rotten onions, turpentine and gym socks. The odour has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in southeast Asia'.
I have been away from blogging for a while... not that anyone is complaining :( ... just for your information I was working hard to complete all my pending work in Mumbai so that I could come away on secondment to Singapore!!!
I arrived in Singapore on Sunday, so I have effectively been here for less than three days and in this period I have managed to get lost twice, got sandwiched between the elevator doors, ate some bird (which I strongly suspect was definitely not chicken as touted by the vendor) and almost sent a geriatric to the hospital. Also I find mystefying signs that durians are not allowed in hotels!!! Now that I have your complete attention, let me regale you with my story...
Day 0
First story featuring the geriatric...I arrived at the taxi stand a little after seven in the morning, post a enthralling five a half hour flight in a cramped economy class seat with a little girl about one who decided that my life (and her parents of course) was definitely smooth sailing and decided to rock the boat. The minute her parents sat down she began wailing and I was like "Please God, Why me". Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against kids, I love them, so far as they are all cuddles, kisses and cooing, I am their pigeon, the minute they decide to take on a more rudra avataar, I run for the hills. So, I asked for some cotton wool and resigned myself to listen to the different types of raagas that the tot was practising. After an hour or so I guess they managed to sedate her with a tranquiliser gun and she went off to sleep, but sleep evaded me, have you every tried to get some sleep while travelling on a plane, shifting this way and that trying to find the perfect position for economy class seating nirvana. I still have not achieved it!!! Five and half hours later (more like panch janam) we arrived at Singapore and I sleep walked my way to the taxi stand a little after seven thirty in the morning. I slung my handbag on my back after loading my suitcase in the boot of the taxi and barely missed this old man standing behind me to collect the trolley. God, I was so scared, I was like whoops, I have just been let loose in this country for five seconds and people have to run for cover !!!
Day 1
After resting for a while I decided to venture out to buy a prepaid SIM so, I can make sasta calls to India (Cheap, Cheap, I hear you guys say :)) and a travel card for MRT. That was when I got a bit ahead of myself and decided to check how to get to office via MRT and also partly to get a feel of how it is. I travelled upto Raffles Place(this is the station closest to the my office, btw my train station is called Dhobi Ghaut), and then got horribly lost, I walked in the opposite direction and landed up at a station close to Dhobi Ghaut on another line, did not have the heart to walk back so took a train back to the hotel. I made up my mind to take a taxi the next day and then return in the evening by train so I can get my bearings right.
Day 2
I reached office a little before eight and got sandwiched between the elevator door, some doofus pressed the close button before I could get it. Then he was so embarassed, he tried to lighten up the atmosphere by saying "I am usually a zombie till about ten... and thats at night :p". So I said "Its OK" though for a moment I thought "bas Sen ... tera antt aagaya..."
Before I forget, another one I just have to tell you, I went to the loo and and my bum must have just left the toilet seat and it auto flushed... I remembered an old office joke about employees being asked to take only a 30 second loo break, if the employees takes longer to finish, the toilet would auto flush, the paper would roll back, the door would open and a picture would be taken of the employee and put out on the notice board as a defaulter... For a sec...I thought it really does happen here in Singapore :))
Day 3
Today I left office around seven, grabbed a quick dinner and decided to hit the sack early, but fate decided that I have not had enough excitement in my life. I took the MRT to Dhobi Ghaut and as usual took the wrong exit and landed inside the Shopping Mall(one of these days my lack of sense of direction is going to get me into great trouble) and spent the next twenty odd minutes of my life looking for an exit to get out of the Mall... I went to each of the levels looking for an exit that would take me outside the mall but I kept coming back to the same place, after a point I was nearly close to losing it and suddenly I had a brain wave, I popped into a nearby shop, it happened to be a cake shop, bought a slice of Chocolate Rice Cake, paid S$1.50 (a small price for freedom) and casually asked the attendant directions to the nearest exit ... and freedom. I meekly followed the directions and it is thanks to the S$1.50 Chocolate Rice Cake that I sit here typing... as a free woman !!!
Before I sign off for today here is the reason why Durians are not allowed, courtesy wikipedia:
'The durian (pronounced /ˈdʊəriən/)[2] is the fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio and the Malvaceae family[1][3] (although some taxonomists place Durio in a distinct family, Durionaceae[1]). Widely known and revered in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits", the durian is distinctive for its large size, unique odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk. The fruit can grow as large as 30 centimetres (12 in) long and 15 centimetres (6 in) in diameter, and it typically weighs one to three kilograms (2 to 7 lb). Its shape ranges from oblong to round, the colour of its husk green to brown, and its flesh pale yellow to red, depending on the species.The edible flesh emits a distinctive odour, strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact. Some people regard the durian as fragrant; others find the aroma overpowering and offensive. The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust and has been described variously as almonds, rotten onions, turpentine and gym socks. The odour has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in southeast Asia'.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)