10.05.06...Sionara Singapore, it was a fun blur

I'm am getting ready to board my plane after this lovely 8 hour blur which was Singapore.

I was able to shower and get a delightful foot massage before checking out the shops and riding the bus around town.

Two comments about the airport:

1) Very, VERY commercial.
2) A world unto itself.

Neither is meant to be mean, they just happen to describe my perceptions precisely.

The blur of this comes from having about 7 hours of sleep out of the last 44 hours (I did the math starting at 6am Tuesday morning). I'm super tired but I'm trooping along.

While on the city tour I saw some very interesting sights. Let's review:

We first came upon Chinatown, as I recall. I opted for the "cultural tour" rather than the colonial, so I got to see the "ethnic" side of Singapore rather than the British hangover.

This gated entrance area was especially decorated for some local festivals for this time of year.



This next snap is a of a random side street. it helps you feel the grit of the city. Can I really call it that?

After Chinatown we moved across this river/bridge. Not sure what its name is, but the "village" as the guide referred to it as, reminded me of Denmark's brightly colored houses.

We moved along next to Little India. I thought that was cute. They were all decked out for Divali.

There were a number of mosques and a number of Hindu temples...I thought this one was of particular note.

I just wanted provide this quick pictorial update of the jaunt so far.

I'm about to pack up to go through the gate security and board the plane.

"See" you in Ahmedabad!

A Pink American

10.05.06...The Singapore Sling

Well I have made it this far! Singapore for about 8 hours then the last 5 1/2hr leg of my journey by air (only minimal time spent on the road once in Ahmedabad).

I watched 4 movies so far...I have to say Singapore Airlines is the BEST!

One of those was a Hindi film called Malamaal Weekly...very funny stuff.

Just a quick plug for the film India is entering for an Oscar run...Rang de Basanti. As most of you have not seen it I highly recommend checking it out. English subtitles will do you right and the movie is REALLY good by any standards...just a little long.

I am off to explore Singapore for a few precious hours and will post back later...hopefully with snaps too!

Peace

A Pink American

10.03.06...And So The Journey Begins

Here I sit shifting my gaze from the computer screen and the nose of the plane for the first leg of my flights.

Just to let you all know that I'll be in transit for roughly 40 hours. That beats the last trip to India by 4 hours.

Forty hours of time to think about what this all means. I'm fairly certain that I won't have any real epiphanies during this stage as I'll try to sleep my way through a good bit of it.

However, it must be said that I have had some very interesting conversations with family and friends over the last few days. It is tough to stay enthusiastic in the face of so much concern over my well being. The fear kind of creeps in, but I'm confident that it will not take hold.

As you all may recall I am not a religious person, but I am "god fearing". In other words, the greatest injustice I could do with my life is not living it because I was afraid of a mosquito or a sweaty guy with a LARGE RED button on his vest.

It is admittedly morbid to have to assuage the fears of others by assuring them that IF anything were to happen, at least they would know that I passed out of this life happily living it to the fullest.

Notwithstanding this, I am still very much looking forward to this trip. I expect to realize some long -term goals and then return with fresh challenges for my life's contributions to this world...first of which will likely to become a mother.

Anyone who knows me fairly well will note that the challenge of being mother has been one that has long daunted me, but I'm darn near ready to embrace it.

It will most interesting to enter parenthood having literally accomplished every goal I hoped to before becoming a parent. From what I gather that is a great luxury among those who are parents.

But at this time that is neither here nor there.

And so from this time until my wonderful husband joins my December, this is my time to realize those aspirations I've held dear to heart.

Look for the next update in three days or so once I arrive in Ahmedabad (maybe I'll be able to sneak in something from Singapore though.)

Until then...never lose sight of dreams.

Ciao

A Pink American