What started as a travel blog has now morphed into... something. What that something's going to be, I'm not sure, but it will be Something. My first thought is to delve back into my first days of travel - which are relatively limited but interesting nonetheless (I think) - so at best it's a nice segway into some of my other favorite topics - pictures, food, and material possessions, and at worst it's a fabulous excuse to digitize some of my old photos, and embarrass some of my friends.
My first time out of the country? 1994, I drove to Rocky Point, Mexico with some people I had known for exactly one week. Directions from Phoenix involve driving south to Mexico and turning left. And we still managed to get lost.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Home - The Questions
The most common question I've heard after moving back is "So... what's it like being back?" "Great!" is my usual response, or "Cold." is another one, since the average temperature in the past few weeks here has been well below zero. "Different..." is probably the most accurate answer, though a bit harder to explain as you're running down a hallway, late for yet another meeting. The second most common question is "So... is it good to be back?" which is also a bit difficult since my answer of "Yes.." is usually followed by a "... but don't you miss it?", making me second guess my response. I'm pretty sure it's good to be back, and at the same time I'm pretty sure I miss it. Being a mathematician by training...
11.) Traffic
In Singapore it takes 25 minutes to get anywhere, whether it's one mile away or ten, and it doesn't matter if it's by taxi, bus or train. In Minneapolis, it takes me five minutes to get to the grocery store and two hours to get home from work if it's snowing. A bit harder to plan your day with that sort of variation. Advantage: Singapore
10.) Labor Saving Devices
In Singapore I did not have a dishwasher, the washing machine held the equivalent of one towel, and took well over two hours per cycle at that. I'm so glad to have my automatic dishwasher and large load washer and dryer back that it's embarrassing. It's the little things. Advantage: Minnesota
9.) Cost of Transportation
The cost of cars in Singapore is astronomical. I bought a Prius when I arrived back in the states (around $29K), so compare that to the one I test drove in Singapore that was priced at well over $100K, and that doesn't even include the Certificate of Entitlement ($10K - 60K) you need on top of that. And that was just a Prius, imagine the mark-up on a BMW or Mercedes. On the flip side, it's about 75 cents to ride the train or bus anywhere on the island, and usually less than $5 for a taxi ride. Our house here in Minneapolis is less than 3 miles from the airport and a taxi ride for this distance can run you $20 or more. Advantage: Tie
8.) Service
Waitstaff in the US runs the gamut from fun-and-friendly to downright rude. In Singapore no one is ever rude, but they're also never truly friendly, either. Robotic politeness might be a way to put it, and they'll almost never give you their opinion, even when asked directly. And if you ever ask for a substitution, it's "I must ask my manager." I'd rather have someone roll their eyes at me and do it anyway, than a polite smile and a firm "cannot". And in Singapore tips are always included in the bill, which at first is refreshing (no math at dinner!), but it sort of takes away the whole idea of rewarding good service, since you can't refuse to pay it and the included tips don't necessarily go to the server anyway. Advantage: Minnesota
7.) Making Appointments
After arriving back in the states I had to catch up on seeing my eye doctor, dentist, etc. and when I called for appointments, they could usually arrange to see me in about one to three weeks. In Singapore, you can usually see someone within a day or two, if not the same day. I've even walked right in to my doctor's office over there and been seen by the doctor himself within 15 minutes. I don't know how they do it, but it sure is nice. It might be because they have so many people working at once - you go into a department store and the clerks often outweigh the customers by 10 to 1. I went into the shoe section of a local Singapore department store and I counted no fewer than twelve people ready to wait on me. Advantage: Singapore
6.) TV
The only current shows that Singapore has are seasons are American Idol, Survivor, and Glee. Filled in-between are endless reruns of The Nanny, which I didn't think anyone even watched during the first run. Friday Night Lights via Apple TV single handedly kept me sane. Advantage: Minnesota
5.) Food
Okay, Singapore has a major advantage on this one for all but sandwiches and Mexican food. There's no Chipotle there, good bread is really hard to find and super expensive if you do. So yes, I miss my $2 noodles and $1 fruit juices on every corner, but being able to run to Chipotle or make my own triple-decker sandwiches is still pretty great. Advantage: Tie
4.) Walking the dog
Believe it or not, I'd rather walk the dog at 6:30am and -8 degrees F than 90 and humid any day. It's still a thrill to not have to shower the minute I walk in the door because I'm too sweaty to sit on the furniture. Advantage: Minnesota
3.) Travel
An hour flight from Minneapolis will get you at best to Chicago, at worst to Fargo, ND. An hour flight from Singapore will get you to Bangkok, and two hours will get you to Bali. Sorry, North Dakota friends, it's no contest. Advantage: Singapore
2.) Weather
Betcha thought this would be number one, didn't you? Though I'm going to miss my 365-day-a-year uniform of sundresses and flip flops, but there is nothing like the first warm spring breezes after a long cold winter. Nothing. Advantage: Minnesota
Eleven Ways that Minnesota is Different than Singapore
11.) Traffic
In Singapore it takes 25 minutes to get anywhere, whether it's one mile away or ten, and it doesn't matter if it's by taxi, bus or train. In Minneapolis, it takes me five minutes to get to the grocery store and two hours to get home from work if it's snowing. A bit harder to plan your day with that sort of variation. Advantage: Singapore
10.) Labor Saving Devices
In Singapore I did not have a dishwasher, the washing machine held the equivalent of one towel, and took well over two hours per cycle at that. I'm so glad to have my automatic dishwasher and large load washer and dryer back that it's embarrassing. It's the little things. Advantage: Minnesota
9.) Cost of Transportation
The cost of cars in Singapore is astronomical. I bought a Prius when I arrived back in the states (around $29K), so compare that to the one I test drove in Singapore that was priced at well over $100K, and that doesn't even include the Certificate of Entitlement ($10K - 60K) you need on top of that. And that was just a Prius, imagine the mark-up on a BMW or Mercedes. On the flip side, it's about 75 cents to ride the train or bus anywhere on the island, and usually less than $5 for a taxi ride. Our house here in Minneapolis is less than 3 miles from the airport and a taxi ride for this distance can run you $20 or more. Advantage: Tie
8.) Service
Waitstaff in the US runs the gamut from fun-and-friendly to downright rude. In Singapore no one is ever rude, but they're also never truly friendly, either. Robotic politeness might be a way to put it, and they'll almost never give you their opinion, even when asked directly. And if you ever ask for a substitution, it's "I must ask my manager." I'd rather have someone roll their eyes at me and do it anyway, than a polite smile and a firm "cannot". And in Singapore tips are always included in the bill, which at first is refreshing (no math at dinner!), but it sort of takes away the whole idea of rewarding good service, since you can't refuse to pay it and the included tips don't necessarily go to the server anyway. Advantage: Minnesota
7.) Making Appointments
After arriving back in the states I had to catch up on seeing my eye doctor, dentist, etc. and when I called for appointments, they could usually arrange to see me in about one to three weeks. In Singapore, you can usually see someone within a day or two, if not the same day. I've even walked right in to my doctor's office over there and been seen by the doctor himself within 15 minutes. I don't know how they do it, but it sure is nice. It might be because they have so many people working at once - you go into a department store and the clerks often outweigh the customers by 10 to 1. I went into the shoe section of a local Singapore department store and I counted no fewer than twelve people ready to wait on me. Advantage: Singapore
6.) TV
The only current shows that Singapore has are seasons are American Idol, Survivor, and Glee. Filled in-between are endless reruns of The Nanny, which I didn't think anyone even watched during the first run. Friday Night Lights via Apple TV single handedly kept me sane. Advantage: Minnesota
5.) Food
Okay, Singapore has a major advantage on this one for all but sandwiches and Mexican food. There's no Chipotle there, good bread is really hard to find and super expensive if you do. So yes, I miss my $2 noodles and $1 fruit juices on every corner, but being able to run to Chipotle or make my own triple-decker sandwiches is still pretty great. Advantage: Tie
4.) Walking the dog
Believe it or not, I'd rather walk the dog at 6:30am and -8 degrees F than 90 and humid any day. It's still a thrill to not have to shower the minute I walk in the door because I'm too sweaty to sit on the furniture. Advantage: Minnesota
3.) Travel
An hour flight from Minneapolis will get you at best to Chicago, at worst to Fargo, ND. An hour flight from Singapore will get you to Bangkok, and two hours will get you to Bali. Sorry, North Dakota friends, it's no contest. Advantage: Singapore
2.) Weather
Betcha thought this would be number one, didn't you? Though I'm going to miss my 365-day-a-year uniform of sundresses and flip flops, but there is nothing like the first warm spring breezes after a long cold winter. Nothing. Advantage: Minnesota
1.) Shopping
One word. Target. Which has real clearance items, not just stuff that was marked up and then marked back down 20% during a so-called "sale". I bought a shirt at Target yesterday for $1.84. And here I'm a solid Medium, not an Extra Large, which does worlds of good for my self esteem. Advantage: Minnesota times a million
Conclusion: Since Minnesota has advantages in the majority, I can officially say "Yes, it's good to be back."
Conclusion: Since Minnesota has advantages in the majority, I can officially say "Yes, it's good to be back."
Monday, February 7, 2011
Home.
We had exactly 23 hours in Singapore before flying back to Minnesota, and we tried to make the most of it. We ran a couple of last minute errands, checked in on the dog (she was fine), re-packed to try and make our 32kg limit on our luggage (made it!), and had one last dinner with friends.
And we were off.
A short 22 hours later, we were descending down into the frozen tundra.
Let's compare Singapore in January
To Minneapolis.
Here's a shot of the lake near our house... look close and you'll see ice rinks are all ready for the National Pond Hockey Championships. We're famous for more than the Mall of America, don't cha know.
And what's the first thing we did when we got home?
Watch Millie's first pounce in the snow...
And shovel the sidewalk, of course.
I held my little buddy Winston one last time...
And we were off.
A short 22 hours later, we were descending down into the frozen tundra.
That's not a small town...
It's an ice-fishing village.
Let's compare Singapore in January
To Minneapolis.
Here's a shot of the lake near our house... look close and you'll see ice rinks are all ready for the National Pond Hockey Championships. We're famous for more than the Mall of America, don't cha know.
And what's the first thing we did when we got home?
Watch Millie's first pounce in the snow...
And shovel the sidewalk, of course.
Goodbye crazy cabdrivers and sweaty walks with the dog, hello slippery sidewalks and wearing long underwear to work! It's good to be home...
Saturday, February 5, 2011
The Maldives - Truest Blue
Our last activity for the week was snorkeling, which is my second favorite thing to do on vacation (the first is doing absolutely nothing, of course). The sun and I not being exactly friends, I was sure to be dressed in full long-sleeved swim wear and a layer of 80+ waterproof sunscreen. My goal for the day was to see a shark (the little reef ones, not a big man-eating one or anything), and David really wanted to see a turtle.
They even gave us diving cards so we would know what we were looking at. (See the color of the water behind me? So clear you can see down 30 feet or more, and it was that color as far as the eye could see.)
Swimming out to the reef...
I took an extra minute to run from one end of this sandbar to the other, leaving my footprints in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
Swimming along, we saw lots of clownfish, bannerfish, angelfish, soldierfish and even butterfly fish. But no sharks, and no turtles. The day was not lost, though, as it was a beautiful day and our snack in between dives was cake.
After a few days we had finally smartened up and rented a cabana, so this was my view for the last two full days.
David looking for shells on the beach.
Last day was consisting of trying out the vine swing...
They even gave us diving cards so we would know what we were looking at. (See the color of the water behind me? So clear you can see down 30 feet or more, and it was that color as far as the eye could see.)
Swimming out to the reef...
I took an extra minute to run from one end of this sandbar to the other, leaving my footprints in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
Swimming along, we saw lots of clownfish, bannerfish, angelfish, soldierfish and even butterfly fish. But no sharks, and no turtles. The day was not lost, though, as it was a beautiful day and our snack in between dives was cake.
================================
After a few days we had finally smartened up and rented a cabana, so this was my view for the last two full days.
David looking for shells on the beach.
Last day was consisting of trying out the vine swing...
Staring up at the palm trees...
And never getting tired of looking at water that was so unbelievably blue you can't believe its real.
At night they have movies on the beach... the last night was Finding Nemo!
Our final sunset.
=============================
Next? Our last dinner in Singapore, and travel back to Minnesota, otherwise known as "Am I On A Different Planet?"
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Maldives - Male Males
Let me start by saying that this trip into the capital city of the Maldives was a bit anti-climactic. Though the city of Male (pronounced "Mah-lee") has only 100,000 people, it's also only 2.2 square miles (less than a tenth of the size of Singapore) making it the second most densely populated island in the world after Hong Kong. But since everyone who comes to the Maldives pretty much heads straight to the resorts from the airport, the capital city of Male isn't exactly set up for tourists. I expected it to be a bit more cosmopolitan. It was not.
But first, a sea plane ride! I've been on plenty of planes, but none that take off from the water. Which makes is so much cooler.
I'm a bit of a nervous flyer, and the fact that our pilot was not wearing shoes did not inspire confidence.
The take-off!
Shots from the air:
Shots of Male:
When we arrived in Male, I could not stop myself from staring at our guide's hairstyle. I couldn't decide if he was trying to look more like Justin Bieber or that guy Chad from Million Dollar Listing.
Justin Bieber. Definitely.
Our 20 minute walking tour of Male consisted of a cemetery, the president's house, a mosque, and the market. I'll skip the two trees that were highlighted also along the way.
Check out the size of that fish on the left! And the guy with the beard, he's pretty cool looking, too.
And that was pretty much it. Having taken in as much culture as was available, we headed back to the boat for our 45 minute ride back to the Holiday Inn. We were treated to a gorgeous sunset on the way back, pretty much par for the course here, before spending the next few days doing absolutely nothing.
But first, a sea plane ride! I've been on plenty of planes, but none that take off from the water. Which makes is so much cooler.
I'm a bit of a nervous flyer, and the fact that our pilot was not wearing shoes did not inspire confidence.
The take-off!
Shots from the air:
Shots of Male:
When we arrived in Male, I could not stop myself from staring at our guide's hairstyle. I couldn't decide if he was trying to look more like Justin Bieber or that guy Chad from Million Dollar Listing.
Our 20 minute walking tour of Male consisted of a cemetery, the president's house, a mosque, and the market. I'll skip the two trees that were highlighted also along the way.
Check out the size of that fish on the left! And the guy with the beard, he's pretty cool looking, too.
And that was pretty much it. Having taken in as much culture as was available, we headed back to the boat for our 45 minute ride back to the Holiday Inn. We were treated to a gorgeous sunset on the way back, pretty much par for the course here, before spending the next few days doing absolutely nothing.
=========================================
The Last Day: No Sharks or Turtles, But I've Had Worse Problems.
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