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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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