Day 1 in Singapore

12:15am

While walking towards the immigration check queue at the airport, I noticed that almost everyone who greeted me from the moment I stepped out of the plane were mostly Indians so I had to check by looking at the arrival card a few times whether I landed in the right country or I accidentaly got into a plane bound for India (though I would have loved that too.:P). You couldn't blame me, I was still half asleep at that time so half of my mind was still in dreamland. Anyway luckily, I didn't feel sick when I couldn't hold on to someone's hand to keep me relaxed during the flight, but as I gingerly walked out of the plane that's when I started feeling sick and I almost threw up on the person in front of me if I wasn't able to force myself to breathe normally. That's when I knew I wasn't nervous of flying alone, I was nervous of the whole trip and just the thought of it turns my knees into jelly. But mind you, all it took was a few seconds of conditioning my myself that I would be alone for most of my trip and that I would power through independently and there's no need to worry about anything. This fear came as a little shock that bolted through me and it was up to me how to take it out.

After having my passport stamped, I went to get my backpack and found out that the TB pin on it was no longer there! Argh, I shouldn't have pinned it on my bag. I was just proud to show it off, but unfortunately, it came off. :( But my Mickey Mouse pin was still there so maybe someone stole it?! What a scumbag! Anyway, my Aunt who lives near the airport came to pick me up. We chatted for a while in the taxi and until we got to her home. Rummaged through her refrigerator for something to eat. Nah, just kidding. She already prepared a meal for me when I got there. Rice, beef steak and all. :P That's my "midnight snack", you know. Where did she get the idea that I eat a lot? :)

*slept until 9am*

Got up, took a shower and got re-acquainted with my cousins and my Aunt's neice, Ate Bebang. :) It's not the first time that I saw them, except for Ate Bebang, so I didn't have a hard time getting along with them. Well, I never really get a hard time talking with anybody there or anywhere except when I don't feel like talking at all - that's when it becomes an effort. hehe. :)

My Aunt asked Ate Bebang to accompany me to wherever I wanted to go so it made me happy that I have someone to tag along with the whole day. It was fun,really. With the EZ link card, traveling by bus and train were made EZ. hehe :) There's no hassle of queueing up, you just have to top it up when it runs out of credit and there's nothing to worry about. You can even use it to buy some stuff at 7 eleven. Well, I haven't tried using it with other convenience stores. I just know that it works with 7 eleven where I bought myself a Guinness with EZ link.haha! :P

So what did we do today? We walked along Orchard road, visited several malls, bought some postcards and Singapore souvenirs (ah, it's just the trusty pen, nail clipper and bottle opener.lol). Started hunting for black and white films and vintage cameras but found only colored ones and people giving me a blank stare each time I ask where to find holgaroids (plastic cameras). Aww, they must think I'm really weird when I'm looking for antique cameras instead of techy gadgets. hehe.

Then we decided to go to Chinatown for lunch and I ordered beer with my chicken with veggie and beef fried noodles. It was delicious, really but I shelled out 16 sgd for 2 meals. Plus 7 sgd for the Tiger beer. Right then I knew, I was going to spend a lot more on food than anything else - okay, alcohol as well! hahaha!

About 4 meters away from me, there's this Turkish ice cream vendor who gets attention by the smashing and clashing sounds he makes with bells dangling on his cart and any metal he could hit with his scoop. Since I was craving for some dessert and I haven't tasted a Turkish ice cream yet, I went there to check it out. And boy, he also knows to entertain with some magic trick and the ice cream tastes nice. :) I had strawberry and pistachio. :) It's kind of sweet and sour, just the way I like it. But I try not to think that the sour taste mainly came from his sweat that trickled down the canisters and mixed with the ice cream flavors. Eww! Haha! Well, it was also nice of him to smile for the picture as I snapped away. ;)

We walked around Chinatown for a while, swung by at two temples. I forgot to take a picture of the other one, sorry. Then on our way to Clark Quay, I bought some chicken satay to munch on. At Clark Quay, I just took some pictures and kept chatting up with Ate Bebang until we decided to go back home at 5:30pm. I could take a rest that early because I'd be spending another 8 days in Singapore - there's no point in rushing to see everything. :)

On our way home, Ate Bebang, who has been in Singapore for over two years, told me that it was her first time to visit Clark Quay and Chinatown and she's thanking me for bringing her there with me. That's the reason why from Chinatown to Clark Quay then back home, I was the one leading the way instead of her because she never really goes out. From that day on, it has become my personal mission to take her with me to explore and discover Singapore up until the day I leave. :) It always makes me feel good to make someone's day without doing much and to be appreciated by the small things I do. :)