Actually, it's like New York

Of all the traditions Great Britain left for Singapore, perhaps the most noticeable is driving on the left. This simple reversal complicates pedestrian life immensely. When I step into the street to cross, I look the way that the cars are not coming. Getting into the front seat of a cab, I open the driver's door. Driving on the left also means that they walk on the left as well - so I continually walk right into people. This happens particularly going into restrooms: the blind corners and thin hallways leave little room for error and necessitate quick thinking. I have failed on both counts.

The fact that I mention driving on the other side of the street as a troublesome difference should indicate that this city seems very familiar. Getting around is astonishingly easy. Not for me of course, I could get lost here just as easily as anywhere else. I follow Matt and Justin. But they seem to be able to navigate very well. I already mentioned how wonderful the campus bus system is. It connects with the Singapore Bus System ("SBS") at severl locations. SBS busses run often, are air conditioned, and the double decker busses have TVs in them. They seem to go everywhere - most importantly to the MRT ("Mass Rapid Transit") stations. The MRT system criss-crosses the island with several tracks and is much faster than the buses. Paying for all of this couldn't be easier - a one time purchase of an EX-link card lets me smack my wallet against the reader pad when entereing and exiting MRT stations or busses. It's so convenient, I have no idea how much the fares are.

Sometime, however, navigating and transferring through the public transportation is a hassle - especially when you're returning from IKEA as we were yesterday. Lucky for us, cabs are just as common here as they are in New York. Lucky for us also that cabs are not nearly as expensive here as they are in New York. A 10 minute cab ride back from IKEA to the University was S$4.50. Split three ways, the cab fare was competitive with taking the MRT.

Classes don't start until next Monday, so I've got five days to continue to explore this city. I'm going to Chinatown with a group of friends this afternoon - you can expect pictures and stories soon. Until then, here's me in front of the Sultan Mosque, on Arab Street: