Singapore musings…..

I figured I didn’t want to let this chance go. Third time lucky and all that. What am I talking about? I am talking about the chance to write about the experiences I had during my trip to Singapore. This is my third trip to a foreign country, the third opportunity I’ve got to explore a different land and culture.

My first trip abroad was Dubai, way back in 2003. The second was Egypt, in 2007. Each time, I have been lucky enough to get to explore the place in a slightly-off-the-beaten-track way. However, Dubai and Egypt merit entire chapters of their own, and this time I want to write about Singapore.

I still don’t know why, but the idea of taking a trip alone had been brewing in my mind for a very long time. I wanted to take off alone, and get to explore a place without the restraints of family, friends, or a tour guide. Maybe I was influenced by ‘The Lonely Traveller’ type of series, or maybe I just wanted to feel independent. At first, I thought of planning a trip to the U.S.A. A lot of friends and relatives are there, some who I haven’t seen in years. But somehow, it didn’t work out, and I was disappointed. Then opportunity knocked in the form of my uncle. Stationed in Singapore as part of his job, he offered me a visit. It was a nice middle of the road opportunity. I had a place to stay, a kind of safe anchor, and I also had the independence to roam about on my own. To add to that, Singapore is a very safe place and has a lot of sightseeing scope. The die was cast. I was going to Singapore.

It’s quite convenient to sign up for one of those packaged tours, pay the amount and let them take care of everything. I had a lot of fun running around for the visa and the tickets, arranging the foreign exchange (and getting slightly fleeced in the process!). Call it masochism or whatever, its something I wanted to do. Thankfully, the visa came through without much difficulty. The funniest part was when I had to apply for a bank statement – as proof that I had sufficient funds for the journey!! The expression on the bank official’s face when I told him I would be traveling alone was enough. Come to think of it, a lot of people expressed surprise that I was taking this trip alone.

The usual conversation would proceed like this:

“Oh, so you are going to Singapore!!”

“Yes”

“Family holiday?”

“No, I’m going alone”

“Oh…..which tour company have you joined then?”

“None……I am planning this trip by myself”

…………..Surprised silence………….

It bugged me a little……..and I think it was the fact that a girl was planning this trip alone was what struck most people as strange. A colleague even asked me “So I suppose you had to fight a lot with your parents to get permission for this trip?” Funnily enough, my parents were the most chilled out about this whole thing. Well, part of the reason may have been the fact that I was going to be staying at my uncle’s place.

More on this later.......