My SG

If my memory serves me right, these are the accounts of my first trip abroad – which was basically four years ago.

Around those years, Singapore has been a target to visit and/or to work in. Earlier, my sister had a scholarship in a Regional English Center, which I can’t remember the exact name of the institution. She studied there for about six months.

Fast forward on the day of our arrival in Singapore, the first lesson learned was not to take picture at the immigration area. We were reprimanded and instructed to delete the photos taken. Well, it is better than having the camera confiscated.

We, a group composed of my ex girlfriend - now wife, my then future mother in-law and others, were booked in a hotel but not in package tour. We asked help of some acquaintances which resulted to the task of meeting these several people. Nonetheless, these people have jobs so we still had to pasyal on our own.  First two people to meet on the list were the 1) brother of officemate and 2) the godmother of Mia. We had these people to meet at the airport to at least have someone to give instruction (better, accompany us) on our way to the hotel.

Mia’s godmother initially informed us that she’ll not be available, so the back up would be my officemate’s brother. Anyway that was an ex-deal.  He had to see us for the padala. I was not sure if if we already met but recognize how he looks like because he was once my subject for my photoshop projects. It was just a bit strange that he was gentle and magalang in person against what I perceived in his boracay pictures where he flaunted his abs and had wild poses. Then, Mia’s godmother showed up and gave us a brief tour before leading us to the hotel.

We got the reservation for the hotel in a promo from a website. I understand that the place was distant from the city, which may mean that the amount of discount already had been spent for extra mile or our taxi fare. I might be into trouble if I mention and describe the place further. May I just say that a prostitute chased me – at 9:00 in the morning.

On our first day, I was just excited to explore the city. My sister, who had long returned to the Philippines advised me to purchase card for bus ride, which my companion did not agree on. Then, I was very excited to fulfill my agenda – to enjoy. This, only realized that my companions do not share the same and I was bound to accomplish few obligations. They had this mission to find for a travel agent to get us to Malaysia on the third day. Anyways, the main purpose of the trip was to get as much stamps on the passport as they can in relation to US Visa application. For me, I still had to buy camera for my boss and meet two other friends for the padala. Did I mention that I had to convert my peso to their currency?

After quite enjoyable sightseeing and expensive food these are some observations I’ve had to compensate for few memory lapses.

     That people you know will not take time off to tour you in Singapore. For one thought, would I,
      had a friend come to visit the Philippines?

     That, escalators run faster than what we have here.

     That, I don’t remember much about the airport which means it is not that memorable.

     That their buses stop only at bus stops. This means people, we, the tourist in particular had
     to take kilometers of walk.

     That, the best way to describe the place is like seeing Makati ten-times or even more.

     That, the place is clean but not as much as people say about it.

     That, as first time tourist, i was a certified victim of converting-everything-to-peso-unit syndrome.

     That, It was such a wonder that one of our malls was hailed as one of the biggest in Asia when
     I assumed that this mall(I can’t remember name ), is ( I assume) bigger.

    That, until now I can’t explain why the biggest fountain and biggest (sorry for the redundancy)
    Ferrie’s wheel were not running when I saw then. I swear that I am referring to the correct fountain
     which, that day was waterless. I just hate to see pictures of friends, having that fountain as
     their backgrounds in Friendster. 2008, remember?

    That it pays off to have new clothes for a trip.

    That, the theme park was excellent. It would have been even better had I experienced any of the
     leisure packages offered. I was in a tight budget, I can only afford the entrance fee.       

    That, the wel- known merlion is the one in the bay - Not the gigantic one inside Sentosa nor the
    close to the original which is quite of human size.

There is much other things that I can share - and i cannot.

If you have noticed,  failed to mention the complete entourage. My mother in-law and her balae (who almost did not pass the immigration when -as a school teacher, a pair of scissor was found inside her bag). My sister in law, Mia (the one who has a ninang there). A family friend. My ex-girlfriend and the child inside her womb now named Elmo.