Category: TRV_Asia

2019/12/26-12/31

恐らく人生初(少なくとも25年ぶり)のインフルA型疾患後の静養トリップ。好奇心も活力もだだ下がりの中、義務感からメジャー処だけを掻い摘むトリップ。

Yangon Central

Shwedagon Pagoda

Bogyoke Aung San Market

Wa Cusine (@Root)

Yangon Airport

2016/11/18 – 11/20

It was hardly surprising to see how city has changed, but much more surprising was how little I remember how things used to be after a long space of 5 years+. Nonetheless, it was good to see how people I met haven’t changed much despite different circumstances we have gone through (with exceptions of slight business-like demeanor of YSH, which was actually very courteous and sleek). It was indeed a good brief getaway to indulge in my nostalgia attached to this country. Now that I am no longer young and energized enough to travel abroad just for the sake of traveling, attendance to a wedding became a good justification to go.

Memorandum (chronological);

1. Departure on Friday after work is doable and efficient, provided that you are dexterous enough to secure 3-4 hours of sleep despite intermittent interruptions during the flight.
2. In strict accordance with my preference to price over convenience, Air China was the cheapest choice at the time my reservation. Despite offering the cheapest fare, Air China was pretty good and decent in terms of; 1) allowing 2 hand baggages + check-in baggage (which I didn’t ask), 2) spaciousness of seats, 3) politeness of CAs and 4) offer of in-flight meals (even within the short distance between Tokyo and Beijing).
3. More often than not, people say that in-flight meals are not good or unworthy of eating, but I denounce such pomposity. On the other end of spectrum, my impulse to eat whatever served and offered, is not helping me either.
4. Changi is always comfy and accommodating, and I’m always tempted to take more than 1 candy at the immigration.
5. It’s refreshingly impressive to see different varieties of people (as in appearance) in the MRT.
6. Of course never heard of Downtown Line when Circle Line is under construction in my mind.
7. Whoever came up with drawing red and green arrows (for incoming & outgoing passengers) on the MRT platform floor is a genius. The competition and mess surrounding the train arrival seems to be much moderated (if not non-existent) . Singapore is ingenious in designing & institutionalizing systems that nudge people to do intended behaviors (whether people like it or not)

8. Should have hurried to set aside the time for check-in & taking shower after arrival, but i didn’t risk it. Better to be sweaty and oily than late though.
9. Every MRT station is immaculate. Contrary to popular perception, stations in Japan are not as good as MRT.
10. UNESCO is adding world heritage sites like giving out freebie nowadays, but Botanical Garden is a good hideaway from the hustles and bustles and deserves accreditation.

11. The venue of wedding was the church to which I was taken to once by the groom. As I only knew his family (parents & brother), it was somewhat awkward to be in such a ceremonial mood. but it was an audacious move of striking a conversation with an auntie who happened to sit next to me that brightened up my congratulatory vibe.
12. Without exaggeration, I was deeply impressed by the number of genuinely smiley faces who showed up for their big day (200+) and how virtuous and lovable the bride and groom must have been to magnetize each of attendee. Witnessing such a jovial mood had solidified my determination not to throw a big wedding (if at all), considering how self-absorbed and individualistic I have been for others to even care.
13. I always wondered how the bride and groom look alike like siblings, but it turned out that it wasn’t only me.
14. I like how TT tends to be portrayed as clumsy.
15. (It was the case for every speaker on the stage, but particularly) the Pastor was a really good orator. The tagline of the wedding was “Two is better than one”, and the pastor nailed the pointlessness of pursuing solitary achievement. (forgot the details)
16. Eventually I ended up relatives’ table for lunch. It was very nice of them to have me on the table and loop of chatting. Singaporeans do it naturally and easily, but it is remarkable how they switch languages as soon as they spot the presence of people who don’t speak the local language (Even if the talk is not directly addressed to such non-local speakers). LKY (& heterogeneous communities he instituted) should deserrve the biggest credit for having made this possible even among uncles and aunties , but the attentiveness of Singaporeans is simply admirable.
17. TT’s mother is 4th among her 5 siblings, and 3rd uncle and his wife kindly took me to my hostel by car. Later, he also gave the ride back to my hostel after the dinner. It is such a shame of me to forget (or didn’t try to remember from the outset) their names.
18. Despite how much I had enjoyed thus far, 2-hour nap was an inevitable consequence.
19. It took me a while to realize that Lavender (nearby from my hostel) was where I applied my residence permit back when I arrived Singapore In 2010.

20. I am grateful again for the relatives for having let me in at their table during the dinner session.
21. It must have taken a lot of planning and rehearsals, especially for the dancing part where the groom’s dancing skill is described as “atrocious”.
22. It was probably the 1st time for me to eat Sea Cucumber over the course of previous 10-15years, and I came to like it much better than the initial encounter.
23. Overall, it was an exhausting, yet fulfilling 1st day.

24. As it took me an almost an hour from Lavender to Kent Ridge (inclusive of 20 mins walk), Singapore is much bigger than I had remembered.
25. Upon exiting Kent Ridge, I could barely feel that I had been there once, but couldn’t recognize where it was at all. The downward slope to PGP was indeed recognizable, though.

26. Many bits of PGP still remain as I knew, and it was reminiscently enjoyable walk through PGP. (I don’t even remember what PGP stand for)

27. NUS bus still emits rubber-ish artificial smell, which gives me a slight car sick.
28. Climbing gym nearby YIH which I used to go every other day, was no longer there.
29. We walked through YIH > Central Library > Art’s Canteen > library again > U Town (to eat lunch).

30. I feel left behind and detached from the recent trends, but seem to be able to care less. What I can assure is dumb phones are better not only in terms of battery life, but also how they make life easier and convenient.
31. Ice Kachang: 1.5 SGD @ food court above Kent Ridge.
32. Spontaneous visit to the newly relocated Google office was possible because Google.

33. Google (& its office and culture it embodies) is anything but what I know of corporate life and its bureaucracies .

34. I shall learn to moderate my frankness that sometimes goes too far. Though (I think) I am capable of conducting myself with maturity and sufficient political correctness like a decent human being under the formal/normal context, but I seem to assume the level of frankness positively corresponds with that of friendliness. Anyhow, I should have refrained from using “pretentious” to describe a friend that I hadn’t met for some time.
35. However I relish eating at hawkers, suggesting to dine at a hawker with a young lady was not a good idea, and I realized this when we went to a hawker in Bugis and almost got splashed some gravy from the leftovers of the preceding diners on the table.
36. “Fluxx” is on the shopping list for my next Singapore trip, however later it might be.
37. In general, there isn’t much point of holding onto the past. But occasional indulgence in reminiscence is how I replenish my energy to crawl forward, and this trip was full of nostalgic remnants. Aside from the emotional attachment, it is always pleasant to drop by this island as I get to take glimpse of multi-cultural communities and vibes.

38. 1 SGD = 77 JPY