Singapore Observations

1) Transportation

The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is very efficient in transporting people. The trains are longer and wider than the Canada Line and seems to go slower. When boarding trains or buses, you simply tap a pre-paid card from which fares are deducted. Unlike Vancouver where fares depend on zones, fares here are proportional to distance and time traveled. Just like Vancouver, I found many people liked sleeping on the train or bus. Thus, they fell victim to my pencil and sketchbook.

2) Food

I noticed a huge variety of food throughout the city's malls and shopping centres. One dish of note was the vermicelli noodles shaped like rat tails with fresh tender fish balls. By the end of my stay, though, I had a sore throat from all the spice. Also, I prefer not to order meals with soups in such hot weather since they give me a sweaty face and back. One thing I did not like was how there were many Western chains like McDonald's, KFC, 7-11, Starbucks and Burger King. Because these chains reminded me of home, I felt disappointed whenever I saw one. I did not come this far to see something I could see at home. I wanted adventure.

3) People

I like how the three ethnic groups (Chinese, Malays, and Indians), despite their differences, coexist in harmony. Because of my darker skin tone, I found that I could fit into the latter two groups seamlessly. The people are not as polite as they are in Vancouver. I even got a deathly stare for cutting someone off while walking off the train. One man stepped on my toe, stared into my eyes, and continued to press on because he wanted to enter the bus before me.

4) Orchard Road

I spent a good couple hours here even though I wanted to leave after a couple minutes. This street is just lined with shops and shopping centres, and is bustling with people. Brand-name merchandise was overpriced. I noticed a pair of jeans for $180, which I could get for $50 at Metrotown. What struck me most was the pair of leather shoes worth $2000.

5) Sentosa, "Asia's Favourite Playground"

White sandy beaches, bright blue waters, and a view of Singapore's coastline. We also visited the Wax History Museum (similar to the Royal BC Museum in Victoria) and the Universal Studios theme park. It was here that for the first time, the bustling tourism industry bothered me. There was no way to find peace from the never-ending crowds.

6) Jurong Point

Located in next to the Boon Lay station on the East-west line, this was was my favourite mall in Singapore. It had all the stores that interested me, and a couple of food courts.

Grouse Grind 2

The clock read 19:30:00 pm, which was the time of closing. But we managed to slip in through the gates, unheeding any warning signs (we were that daring). And as the gates creaked closed behind us, there was no turning back. This was the final test of my failed training regime.

We started off with a slow walk. Then walk became speed walk, and speed walk became a light jog. I took a sip of water and then dashed for the quarter mark. Within minutes, I was already feeling the grind. My thighs ached, my heart pounded as I inhaled this dry desert air, and my soul was disheartened. Had it gotten the best of me? I stopped beside a rock marked in blue, "1/4." Perhaps I could walk back down and hop over the gates and save myself the trouble. Then Kevin ran up behind me and said, "Dude, the actual quarter mark is up there ... this is like a pre-1/4 mark." I thought to myself: "Before I leave this mountain, I should at least reach the 1/4 mark." So I carried on.

At the quarter mark, I looked back down the mountain to see how far we've come (not that far). It might not be a bad walk up the mountain. After all, the sun was still shining and for the first time this season, summer was in the air. Suddenly, a 70-80-year-old senior whisked by Kevin, Amos, and me. He disappeared into the trees. I began to run.

I ran right past the half-way mark. My only focus was not on reaching the top, but on each step. I wanted each step to be perfect by landing on my mid-sole. I made sure I had good form, keeping my neck and spine aligned. I leaned into the hill. I filled and emptied my lungs completely. But even still, I was tired. Stopping for a few minutes to catch my breath, I drank some water. Soon, though, I found that there was no more. I inverted the bottle, tongue outstretched and eyes closed. I felt a salty droplet land onto my tongue. It was not a drop of water, but a bead of sweat.

I had no choice but to keep going. I found myself using my hands to help myself up from rock to rock, clinging on to dear life. Then Kevin pulled up beside me as if he was on a stroll at the park. He asked a question that I would never forget, "Want to donate some blood next week?" I was on the verge of fainting. Awe-struck, I agreed anyways. I did not want to think.

Then I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Amos, Kevin, and I decided to sprint to the top. You see, I wanted to get out of there ASAP, and never come back. The clock read 20:40:38. Eight mosquito bites, three localized cramps, and countless short breaths later, I had finished. And surely, I will never come back.