a taste of home in the future

The last thing I said to my friend Ashley in November, in our final class together in Theological Hall in Queen's University, was "See you in Singapore!" It was very comforting to know that, halfway through my trip around the world, I would get to spend a weekend with a close friend. As my SAS mates were researching zoos, museums and fancy hotels, I was content to know I would just get to talk about Kingston, theatre, and what I missed about home.

Ashley and her friend Catherine were waiting for me as I exited Immigration (the security and terminal in Singapore was quite a contrast to Vietnam, where I once sprinted by the Immigration guards without so much as showing my landing card), and I immediately had that lovely feeling of being completely separated from the SAS herd- this was my experience and no one else's.

In the blinding Singaporean heat, we did the obligatory touristy things- checking out Marina Bay, including the hotel where apparently close to 200 SASers stayed- the iconic, and insanely expensive, Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Later, lying in Ashley's dorm room, a small concrete room with no air conditioning but friendly geckos, I thought once again about the contrast between my experience and other's, but the richness in both.

I thought Singapore was fascinating in its dystopian feel… The subway signs were written in four languages, the streets were insanely clean, the young students were all very fit looking - apparently due a mandatory fitness done under threat of bootcamp, and of course the infamous laws and fines. Although I liked it, I don't think I would want to live in Singapore. The prevalence of undercover cops and cameras, the lack of LGBT rights, and underlying feeling of being in a real life Disneyland for millionaires was enough to convince me of that.

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Two days was not enough to explore Singapore. The multicultural nature of the city meant each neighbourhood we walked through was unique and fascinating. Below, taken in Arab Street, is one of my favourite photos so far. The colours!

Ashley took me to a light show that evening outside Marina Bay. It was hilarious in its subtle themes of monogamy, conformity, and happiness, and also in excessive use of lasers (and bubbles).

We also stumbled upon a Hindu temple that I, even having done rather well in my Hinduism class last semester, was puzzled at. It felt like a Hindu temple for beginners, with explanations of Hindu iconography on the walls (in English, no less). I need to ask my Religions professor about it.

I was excited about it, regardless. Photo credit to Ashley.

On the first day we also went to a museum with an awesome dinosaur exhibit, which was like being a child again, surrounded by scientific guesswork in a cold large room with fantastical statues.

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Beyond the beautiful things we saw, we ate some beautiful things. Chilli crab (from Canada), ice cream in green bread, bubble tea, more ice cream, some more bubble tea.

I spent every last moment with Ashley and her lovely exchange friends, including the moments running for the ship to ensure I didn't get dock time - for such an apparently forward-thinking city, the trains in Singapore are remarkably slow.

Swapping stories with roommate, she expressed how she would have easily exchanged her room in Marina Bay Sands for my weekend. It's true, the hours I spent talking with Ashley about what we are learning half-way around the world from our home university were an indescribable refreshment, and a welcome tool to process what I have learned and how I have grown so far. I was surprised to hear myself advocating for the benefits of independent travel after recounting my adventures in Vietnam.

If you're reading this Ashley, thank you so much for everything. See you Kingston.

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I'm currently siting in a lecture learning Burmese (although I should be writing my paper for Shakespeare).

It's getting quite exhausting, but it feels like a routine, almost, these crazy days on the ship before being thrown into another completely new place. Burma (or Myanmar) is one of the most difficult stops on our trip, emotionally and logistically. There were even rumours that we wouldn't be going because of the dangerous political situation always underlying the country. It feels like being in Burma will be like walking on weak ice.

I don't want to frighten anyone (hi Mom) but my plans in Burma involve a few close friends, a couple hundred dollars, and one goal. Bagan or bust. I'll let you know how it turns out.