I am so glad that I took the Jetstar airline,which has its terminal in NAIA, instead of the Tiger Air, which is all the way to Pampanga. When I checked in, the line was so long, and it wasn't even 10 o'clock yet. Well, goody for me. At least I was there early. After checking in, I went inside and shopped for toiletries. Smart, huh? Stuff I bought was like doubly priced. Anyway, was prepared for the consequences of my laziness...
The Jetstar Asia is a nice clean carrier. It smells new and fresh. I was expecting quite differently and was so pleased that it is unlike the budget airline nightmare I was anticipating: people scurrying to secure their best seats; musty air; dark/ dim lighting --- just like in a cargo plane... yikes.
After more than 3 hours, finally landed in Changi Airport. The famed airport, which some say is state of the art and boasts of first world amenities. I admit, the airport is spacious, airy and relaxing. None of the sweaty (i know, or airports are airconditioned, but I swear, all the human effort used to make our airport run...)and crowded terminals we've been acquainted with. Checking out was a breeze even though it was my first time there.
I went to the Singapore Tourism booth, which looked like a store. I felt a little intimidated at first walking in, coz, what if they ask for payment for all the brochures I would like to ask? I sound like a country bumpkin, don't I? And also, I was very wary of Singaporeans as they have quite a reputation for being not that accommodating --- especially to Filipinos. So was again, pleasantly surprised when I was warmly attended to by the old man from the STA booth. He was very helpful and congenial and gave me lots of free literature on Singapore! wooohooo!
By then, I haven't had lunch yet so I moseyed to a Burger King --- which I don't usually frequent in the Philippines, except when I'm with mommy and they want discounted burgers --- and ordered a bacon cheeseburger meal which cost me... S$6! Ulp! Thats like PhP180!!!
I catch myself and give me a pep talk not to mentally transpose Sing dollars to pesos. Grab my burger take out and take an airport taxi to my hotel, the Metropole.
Again, these Singaporeans are a friendly lot. At least, those I have been in contact with. The driver was very nice. We talked about Singapore events, the Singapore arts festival --- the reason I was there, the indifference of Singaporeans of these events, the importance of money in their lives (well, sino bang hindi?!!), why the Philippines is not promoted properly in Singapore, and his take on why Singapore is neat as it is ("it's easy for Singapore, because we are such a small country. The Philippines is larger. So it might take some time..." his words --- taxi driver insight). Like I said, he's a nice man. Or maybe he's just doing his job.
After I get my taxi receipt, I head to Metropole, which according to my driver, is a quaint hotel, which I understand is a euphemism for old. I wondered why their brochure showed an illustration of the hotel, rather than the actal photo. When I arrived at its doorstep, I knew.
Throughout my stay, the taxis I've ridden had trouble locating where Metropole is. Which is bad, as it is just next to the Raffles Hotel, and all those cool places. But the taxis thought the Metropole was just a restaurant and not a hotel. Hmmm... Oh, well. At least, my room faced the street! Ahahaha! I had no view!!! Just the street below me and the building in front :) What the heck? I had no plans to spend a lot of time inside anyway.
Thank goodness for arrangements made by my boss's former colleague, I was already guaranteed a room. After checking in, I ate my lunch at 4 pm!!! And made a quick inspection of the room and its "amenities". From its literature and website, the Metropole prides itself as a businessman's hotel, accessible to the places wherever these businessmen would like to conduct business. It is all true. It is very near the malls, the cultural and artistic sites (Esplanade, public library, Singapore art museum)and the rides, there's a bus stop in its corners and a 5 minute walk to the MRT. That it is a businessman's stop is also no joke as I was quick to note that the hotel didn't have a hairdryer! Gasp! What about my crazy, temperamental hair?!!
So, after getting over that fact, I called on a college acquaintance of mine, who's been working in Singapore for some years. She's working at an international development agency (that shall remain nameless) and I wanted to visit her to see what i was missing. hehehe. It's coz she offered her place during my stay in Singapore. And I passed it up.
Not that I'm all fussy and all, but the company was paying anyway; the Metropole had a very convenient location; and lastly, she had a flatmate who seemed like an asshole.
So anyway, had to pay my courtesies, S$6 in taxi fare and I was at her doorstep. Not bad... she lived in a nice condo with a good view of the city. expat living. I like. we moshed on tasteless pasta and cheese and wine over her whining over office politics and job assignments... i mean, if i hear another "you're so lucky your company brought you to Singapore for an observation trip - i'm so tired from all this jetting around Europe, tomorrow I'll be in the Netherlands" shit, I am just going to yawn.
I was so relieved that she had another appointment. Whew! I shared a taxi cab with her back to the city. She offered to meet up the following day but well, nothing was finalized. I was free!!!
I wandered towards the area where the kind taxi driver pointed a big bookstore was. Well, the mall nearest the Metropole was already closed, it being 9pm and all. But I walked further the streets and found myself in a bustling mall! Yeehhaaa! It was open till midnight! Thank goodness for the Great Singapore Sale!
Not that it made me buy. I was soooo tempted. But the stuff were really regular stuff I could get in Greenhills or any of our malls in Manila, so I didnt. Just walked around aimlessly, which was really frustrating, as I am not one to do so. I prefer having a purpose --- like looking for a nice pair of pants, or shirt or whatnot. So I motivated myself to find what else? a bookstore.
And I found Kinokuniya. Hallelujah! So did I buy anything? Hell no! Again, I was aghast with the prices and I figured if ever I am buying anything, better if i buy it in Manila and help our economy... so I didn't. Although, there could have been some interesting reads there --- they have newest inventory and they had Japanese magazines! Oh well...
This trip left me feeling out of sorts. I was in an existentialist mood, questioning myself, why am I here? So to muffle the inner dialogue I had (which I would realize, would happen regularly in Singapore), I scurried back to Metropole and tucked myself in. At least the room had TV.
More adventure the next day.
Zzzzzzzz.
No comments:
Post a Comment