Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Singapore – A Mixed Bag of Emotions

I just recently had the pleasure (no sarcasm) of going to Singapore for work.  I was on the ground for almost 48 hours and it required two full days of travel to get there and back, but I was pumped…  I had never been to Singapore, it had been over a year since I last left the US and it had been over 7 years since I was last in Asia.  And while I was only there for two mere days, I was able to experience a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings that normal people would experience in a month.  Here they are, in no particular order:

Excitement and maybe Self Importance: Like I said, I was excited to be traveling again, and there is something about travelling for work that makes it so much more special.  That feeling of “yes, I am that important that I needed to fly here for work for two days…don’t you wish you were that important too”. I wish I were more humble, but sometimes it feels good to be needed and valued. 

Homecoming and Familiarity:  So while I know I have never been to Singapore, there were moments throughout my trip that felt so familiar, almost like home.  From stepping out of the airport and being embraced by the tropical humidity like a welcome- home hug of a long lost friend I was immediately put back into another time, another memory.  And feelings of comfort and home did not leave me the entire trip…I am guessing due to the striking similarities of Singapore with so many other cities that I love: the Casinos of Las Vegas, the spotless, clean and overly priced international banking hub of Zurich (including countless men in business suits and $30 martinis), the hospitality of my co-workers which included a perfect lunch of chili crab and other local treats, and the constant allure of shopping similar to New York.  

Chili Crab!

Decadence: I was fortunate enough to stay at the Marina Bay Sands hotel…the three tower hotel that has a “ship” designed park that spans the tops of all three buildings.  From the infinity pool on the 57th Floor overlooking the city’s financial center on my first night in town, I was struck by how ridiculous my life can sometimes be.   It was just earlier that day that I was able to get a 30 minute massage for free in the office compliments of my company…and there I was ending the evening with a gorgeous view and overpriced drink.

Marina Bay Sands from the 57th Floor


Pure Panic:  With an 8:30am meeting on Thursday morning…the whole reason for the trip…I woke up with a start and in utter panic at 8:20am.  I had slept through my alarm.  With disbelief and minor heartburn, I raced to get ready: shower, teeth, make-up, clothes and was out the door by 8:25am….I had promised the controller I would be to the office by 8:15 to set up and get ready.  I was screwed, and what was worse, I hadn’t activated my phone to work overseas so there was no way to let them know I was running late.  I arrived at the office at 8:32 and somehow made it up to the conference room by 8:38.  I was completely disheveled and it remained with me the rest of the day…But at least I hadn’t slept through my wake up call for my flight the following morning. 

Yearning for Adventure and Something New:  As if the wake-up call wasn’t an adventure enough, I also was yearning for a shock to my cultural senses.  I wanted an out-of-the-box experience, the “holy-crap this is new, I am clearly not at home” realization.  I wanted to eat at a Hawker Center…those Singapore-unique centers that sell street food.  Against the recommendations of my co-workers to try out the safer hotel version, I went to Maxwell Court.  I wanted Chicken Rice and a Lime Juice to make my trip complete.  It was mid-afternoon so not nearly as crazy I was hoping for, but I did manage to order the traditional meal and grab a seat to take in the experience.  It wasn’t until half way through my rubbery chicken that I realized that maybe the concerns of my co-workers weren’t for my lack of adventure but for my foreigner “weak stomach”… they did keep mentioning my flight the next day.  In the end I was fine, but the rest of my meal was spent with less enjoyment and more trepidation…but it was a new experience so I think it counts. 
Maxwell Hawker Center

Although in town for only 48 hours, I think I accomplished plenty, but there was and is still some much to do and see in Singapore.  A follow up trip is in order and hopefully the next time around I will able to spend a few more hours and experience a few less emotions.

No comments: