Singapore (Week 1)

Singapore from my Hotel Room

Shannee Green

Well, Week 1 in Singapore has been extremely insightful and full of cultural awareness. I had a pretty easy transition the night I arrived ( May 18,2011). I landed at 12:30am and caught a taxi to my hotel. When I got to the hotel, I found out that the hotel had only been open for 6 days, so they notified me that the internet may not work properly the first few days. But to my surprise it was up and running with minor issues. I contacted my local supervisor the following day to set up a time to meet and discuss my project. We decided on May 20 at 12:15pm. So that day I paid for a tour of the city to get acclimated to my environment and I actually looked like a tourist the first day. The 3 hour tour took me through many of the city’s neighborhoods and the guide was pretty thorough on the history of the city and where the city was headed. He actually stated that the city leaders believe that water is the next big thing and that the city plans on being the leaders in the water industry. I was at first a bit taken back at his statement, because of his passion behind it, We look at leaders of our nations and know one really knows whats going on in their heads, but hear in the bus, with the tour guide, he knew where his city was going and he was just the little ole tour guide, I had a sense of relief that I was finally in a place where water was looked at for what it was worth.

Buddha Temple Link (CLICK THE “B”)

So during the tour, we went to area’s like little India, where most of the Indian culture was portrayed, through food, religion, and clothing stores. They then took us to chinatown, where I entered my first Buddha Temple and actually was there during prayer. I took pictures. They then took us to the botanic garden, where it was truly beauty all in one place. I mean the flowers were just breathtaking. They even drove us to where all the politicians live and man, they have huge houses. Which by the way, houses are by all means, not the average way of living here. Everyone lives in either apartments or own condos. If you are not a Singaporean, you cannot even buy a house, you would only be able to purchase a condo. FYI, the architecture is amazing here, I have never seen building so creatively designed.

Amazing Architecture in Singapore

The food, well the food is good, The first few days I went to a local cafe and tried some of their native foods and then I found Wendy’s which was located 25 seconds from my hotel, There is a little strip right next to my hotel, so I am comfortable with my immediate surroundings. There is bread store, fruit store, milkshake/ smoothie store, a phone accessory kiosk, and a small food court that is open 24 hours,  plus the MRT/ SUBWAY station. I was at first a bit scared of riding the MRT, I don’t know why, but I was. I bought a link card which I reload ever so often and the MRT takes me everywhere I need to go, I LOVE IT. I mean the trains run every 3 to five minuets. Once I master the system, I will let you all know.

On May 20, I met my supervisor and she is so nice, we went to lunch with her colleagues and I got to meet alot of the people at the Public Utilities Board (PUB).  I believe, I will learn a lot here and everyone is so young and vibrant. I had a small set back with the  temporary employment pass, which allows me to begin my work at the PUB, so for now my local supervisor and I are in the process of setting up tours of the water systems and getting interviews with key stakeholders in Singapore involved in the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Development.

Goodbye, My fellow classmates until my week two summary,  and I look forward to reading your post…

Vegetable Stand in Little Inda