"Their $2 bill is just like our $1 bill, except you can buy lunch with it."
~Matt Hoffman
On the surface, the infrastructure looks like it could be in the US. Cars, sidewalks, streets - they are all here. But the people, the shops, and everything else is varying degrees of different. The campus bus that has a stop outside of my window is like a touring coach on the inside: clean vinyl seats, air conditioning. The drivers wash their busses at least once a day - inside and out. Prince George's Park (PGP) the dormitory complex that I'm staying in, has 5000 rooms in 25+ buildings, each with 10+ floors. Open air walkways, beautiful stone and steel architecture, fountains, plazas, lighting, and landscaping seems reminiscent of a tropical resort. I took a few pictures today (you can click on the pictures to make them bigger):
Today I also registered with the University, went to the exchange student orientation for the USP (University Scholars Programme - their version of an honors college) where I met other exchange students from China and Japan and met my USP Buddy, Archana, and learned the process for enrolling in classes.
Then we went to a mall where I had dinner:
this was S$5 - about US$3.
There were also views of the port, and of Sentosa island, the resort part of the city. It costs $4 to get there by ariel tram. We hope to go later this week.
3 comments:
Wow! That architecture is sweet! And that fish looks so freakin' good. Did it agree with your stomach?
They drizzled the fish with a sweet sauce - it was delicious. And I haven't felt sick from anything yet. I'm going to continue to eat my way through Singapore until I do.
One odd thing about the food is that although they put out evertyhign you could need to eat, ie chopsticks, fork, knife, spoon, there are never any napkins. So after a meal you have to find a washroom to wash your hands and face, or else you smell like fish.
Tom! this is amazing! It makes missing you guys less pathetic. One thing I've been wondering: is Singaporean English accented like a bloke from London? ALSO, I've met some Singaporeans here, and because of you guys I have a reason to relate to them! Definitely helps with small talk. Now the main issue is figuring out how to say what I want in French, because englishm c'est interdit! Okay, I hope this enters all right, every command key is in French.
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