After reading through numerous newpaper articles and Stomp entires on http://www.stomp.com.sg/ , i realized that Singapore like every country has its unique set of quirky people with whom we co-habit for brief periods of time, be it at a supermarket, or the mall or the Public Transport Systems, these fellow creatures fall into the following categories :
1. Manicurists/Makeup artists/Foot Reflexologists
Manicurists are people who once comfortably seated - start by scraping out stuff from under their nails (both feet and hands), then proceed to meticulously cut them and quietly drop it on the floor, their concentration is only broken by raising their head up to see if they have arrived at their destination.
Make up artists are those, who carry all the contents of their dressing table in their bags, starting with foundation, powder, lipstick, eyeliner, mascra etc etc etc and fix their faces in public transport , I suspect most of them are neurosurgeons, since they have such steady hands !
Foot Reflexologists are those, who start the journey, with a good foot scrub, peeling off all the dead skin from the soles of their feet, they then make a rubbing motion with the thumb and forefinger, probably trying to create a pellet of dead stinky skin, teeming with bacteria and sprinkle them all over the floor.
2. Diners / Drive ins and Dives
Diners are People who eat, drink and stink the place up - never mind the rules!!
If the strong smell of Garlic, or the starchy smell of fries permeates the cabin/compartment, after the rustling sound of a plastic bag, take a look around you will find someone tucking into a portion of chicken rice from a Styrofoam Box, with a pair of chopsticks or you will find potato fries magically appearing from inside the plastic bag marked McDonalds !
Just as you recover and survive the lung full of Garlic Vapors - if you feel something sticky under your shoes look down for and you will find a trail of wet stickiness on the other end of which you will find a happy slurper sucking away at the straw Diving right into their plastic or paper cup, diligently wrapped up in a plastic bag ! such blatant disregard of Rules and defiance of authority?
Makes Me Wonder is Singapore really a "FINE" city ?
3. Octopussies
While we turn away with a smile and gently lower our from the couples holding hands or each other, or even softly hugging each other to ride out the journey, Octopussies are those couples who are either Exhibitionists or Cant afford a Room, and think they are riding a chartered trip, where they are the only two passengers !!
Worse still when they are in their school Uniforms !
If you are lucky you have “in-flight” entertainment of soft porn on your daily commute, Necking, French kissing, Groping, legs, hands bodies entwined in awkward grotesque positions, all for free !
I had to but pity the poor old reticent uncle standing in front of the couple about 1 feet away, is desperately trying not to stare and is holding on the overhead bar for dear life, while the 5 year old was pointing out to her mommy – “mommy, mommy – see that’s what ge ge was doing with kate-next-door, while you and daddy went to the market”
4. The Sleepers
No its not the 1996 movie , with the all star Cast
This Movie stars our friendly neighborhood Neighbors- on our public Transport System !
Patients suffering from Insomnia - I have to let you guys on a secret, there is one seat in every bus and train in Singapore, which is a cure for Insomnia – who ever sits in that seat falls to sleep instantly, but wake up on cue, when their destination arrives ! Wow now that’s a neat trick !!
5. The Brawlers
This is the latest Phenomenon to hit (pun intended) the Singapore Public Transport System !
You see youngsters pushing off old aunties, because they were slow to get off the bus, and then claim mental disability for the actions
You see 50+ Uncles punching each other while hurling vulgarities at each other and running around and ducking behind the seats, it was sad and hilarious at the same time !
The Next Time you are on a Bus or the MRT, keep your eyes open and I bet you would spot atleast one of the above riding with you !
Wednesday 4 July 2012
Tuesday 15 May 2012
T-Bone
I was in a dilemma, as to what to name this post, since i meant to put my down my thoughts on the recent Ferrari, Taxi and Motorcycle crash which snuffed out two precious lives at the bugis area of Singapore.
So please dont mistake it for my favourite cut of steak !
I was unfortunate enough to look at the video on Clip from Stomp.com.sg and was horrified at the sight
As i Followed the Story - horror turned into disgust, disbelief and outrage
a. it is reported that some pathetic creature was stealing or collecting the money strewn over from the accident victim, in the aftermath !! even when the victim was crying out in pain !!!
b. one netizen raised a pertinent question as to why, the accident victims were not taken to Raffles Hospital, which is a stone throw away from the unfortunate incident?
c. The question of banning high speed cars raised with the PTC is still festering like an open wound, though i totally agree with PTC's stand - its not the cars that matter, its the drivers who are accountable.
I always joked with every taxi uncle when we were overtaken by a classic red ferrari, saying "so where do you think that ferrari is going in a hurry?? the next traffic light is it "?? In singapore there is a traffic light every 100 meters what !!!
Well - jokes apart, what fault was it of the cabby, the passenger to lose their lives in such horrific manner ?? What fault was it of the unseen victims, who have to live with losing their loved ones all their Life??
I hope to God that the ferrari driver was sober and it is a case of reckless driving and not DUI too !
Rest in Peace Cheng Teck Hock, Shigemi Ito and for whatever its worth Rest In Peace Ma Chi.
So please dont mistake it for my favourite cut of steak !
I was unfortunate enough to look at the video on Clip from Stomp.com.sg and was horrified at the sight
As i Followed the Story - horror turned into disgust, disbelief and outrage
a. it is reported that some pathetic creature was stealing or collecting the money strewn over from the accident victim, in the aftermath !! even when the victim was crying out in pain !!!
b. one netizen raised a pertinent question as to why, the accident victims were not taken to Raffles Hospital, which is a stone throw away from the unfortunate incident?
c. The question of banning high speed cars raised with the PTC is still festering like an open wound, though i totally agree with PTC's stand - its not the cars that matter, its the drivers who are accountable.
I always joked with every taxi uncle when we were overtaken by a classic red ferrari, saying "so where do you think that ferrari is going in a hurry?? the next traffic light is it "?? In singapore there is a traffic light every 100 meters what !!!
Well - jokes apart, what fault was it of the cabby, the passenger to lose their lives in such horrific manner ?? What fault was it of the unseen victims, who have to live with losing their loved ones all their Life??
I hope to God that the ferrari driver was sober and it is a case of reckless driving and not DUI too !
Rest in Peace Cheng Teck Hock, Shigemi Ito and for whatever its worth Rest In Peace Ma Chi.
Thursday 10 May 2012
Golden Mile Complex
Ask any road weary traveller who does the bladder Busting "Cooler Coach" Run - (Check out my earlier post titled "Cooler Coach Run") , between Singapore and Malaysia and they will know this Place called GOLDEN MILE COMPLEX. Perhaps would have an anecdote or two to say, well here is my two cents worth...
GOLDEN MILE COMPLEX - when i first heard these words, it conjoured up visions the Gold Souks of Dubai, where the walls of the shops are dripping with the precious metal, every nook and cranny was covered with gleaming yellow, and women mainly of Indian and Middle Eastern origin, become zombies at the sight of this...........
The building itself looks innocuous at first glance, there is a row of illegaly parked cars and Buses or Coaches as they like to call them, competing with Taxis intending to get into the small curved inclined driveway, which leads up to the building.
There is a Large statue of a Diety that welcomes you at the entrance of the building, Guarded by two Golden Elephants - the scent of incense, mixed with the rose petals offered to the diety is a heady mix as you walk up the afore said ramp, dodging Taxis who have to accelerate coming up into the taxi stand into the building.
Click here for a pic ==> http://www.flickr.com/photos/zorgball/5295288799/
A Few More steps and you are in for an assault of all your senses - literally !!
First it the Sights - its like stepping into another dimension, a row of dirty t-shirt and jeans young men and a few women, stare at you holding beer cans with indecipherable names, sitting asian squatting style beside, garbage bins that havent seen a Cleaner for a week !
Click her to see what I am talking about ! http://www.flickr.com/photos/22234358@N08/5456099990/
I never could figure out what these people are doing there - I mean apart from Drinking Beer, Smoking Cigarettes and Leaving the crushed empty cans and butts and Staring at you !
The second layer of humanity is Polo dressed, Bermuda Clad and Sunglasses Sporting Travellers with American Tourister Strolley bags and Camel Mountain Rucksacks Intermingled with Aunties clutching multicolored, bulky, Cuboid Bags Made of recycled Plastic Tarpaulin and also a few lost Sun tanned Caucasians, carrying super large Backpacks and Frontpacks (a Back pack slung in Front) , - still thinking they are in Bali. This Motley bunch of people are awaiting their bus to turn up to take them to their destinations, beyond the Causeway.
The Third Layer are the numerous Bus and Tour operators who line the facade on the first floor, The odd man out here is the lone Money Changer in the middle of the row of shops selling tickets to Johor and all the way to Hatyai !!
Secondly it is the Smell - As you approach the Money Changer, an Indescribable, Gut Wrenching Smell hits your Nostrils and, well the smell is just Indescribable...lets leave it at that...for the Brave Souls who want to go in person to check it out...GOOD LUCK and GOD BLESS !!
If you can survive that smell and make it past that corridor, the Fourth Layer of Golden Mile Complex Reveals itself, something thats dear to my heart, tongue and tummy..fooooood ...Glorious THAI FOOD !! SupercallyfogilisticSpicydelicious !!!!
An Awesome Array of Thai Food ! Phad's, Curries, Tom Yum Goongs, Yum Yum Yum ! Freshly Made from the hottest of chillies and served steaming hot, each dish is a wonderland of gastronomy.
A colourful array of Fried, Skewered, Steamed, Boiled, Sweet, Sour, Salty, Spicy and Bitter Sensations adorning the tables in the foyer of the building, with hungry diners tucking into the delicacies makes your mouth water.
Phad Thai and Phrik Nam Pla and other dishes which I cant Pronounce, the Colours, the Aroma of the food Makes your Head Spin ! and My Favourite - Udangs (Prawns) and Sotongs (Squids) Swimming in a sea of Lemony, Spicy Broth that almost divine thing called ........
Opposite the line of eataries there are mini marts selling snacks and bric-a-bracs, Made in Thailand !! Souvenirs, Cakes, Clothes, Drinks a dazzaling array of the largest collection of thai products all under one roof ! Even the Sign Board to the shops are in Thai Language
For Some reason i never got past the first floor of this Complex and explored whats on the second floor onwards, maybe next time i will, if i can once more make it past that smell near the Money Changer....Until then Chok Dee Krap !!
GOLDEN MILE COMPLEX - when i first heard these words, it conjoured up visions the Gold Souks of Dubai, where the walls of the shops are dripping with the precious metal, every nook and cranny was covered with gleaming yellow, and women mainly of Indian and Middle Eastern origin, become zombies at the sight of this...........
Alas ! MEA MAXIMA CULPA !! .......i have always imagined Singapore to be a city so clean - where you can drop your ice-cream on the pavement, scoop it up and lick at it again !! Well there seem to be some exceptions to this rule !! and I was dropped off From the Cooler Coach in one such Place.....
There is a Large statue of a Diety that welcomes you at the entrance of the building, Guarded by two Golden Elephants - the scent of incense, mixed with the rose petals offered to the diety is a heady mix as you walk up the afore said ramp, dodging Taxis who have to accelerate coming up into the taxi stand into the building.
Click here for a pic ==> http://www.flickr.com/photos/zorgball/5295288799/
A Few More steps and you are in for an assault of all your senses - literally !!
First it the Sights - its like stepping into another dimension, a row of dirty t-shirt and jeans young men and a few women, stare at you holding beer cans with indecipherable names, sitting asian squatting style beside, garbage bins that havent seen a Cleaner for a week !
Click her to see what I am talking about ! http://www.flickr.com/photos/22234358@N08/5456099990/
I never could figure out what these people are doing there - I mean apart from Drinking Beer, Smoking Cigarettes and Leaving the crushed empty cans and butts and Staring at you !
The second layer of humanity is Polo dressed, Bermuda Clad and Sunglasses Sporting Travellers with American Tourister Strolley bags and Camel Mountain Rucksacks Intermingled with Aunties clutching multicolored, bulky, Cuboid Bags Made of recycled Plastic Tarpaulin and also a few lost Sun tanned Caucasians, carrying super large Backpacks and Frontpacks (a Back pack slung in Front) , - still thinking they are in Bali. This Motley bunch of people are awaiting their bus to turn up to take them to their destinations, beyond the Causeway.
The Third Layer are the numerous Bus and Tour operators who line the facade on the first floor, The odd man out here is the lone Money Changer in the middle of the row of shops selling tickets to Johor and all the way to Hatyai !!
Secondly it is the Smell - As you approach the Money Changer, an Indescribable, Gut Wrenching Smell hits your Nostrils and, well the smell is just Indescribable...lets leave it at that...for the Brave Souls who want to go in person to check it out...GOOD LUCK and GOD BLESS !!
If you can survive that smell and make it past that corridor, the Fourth Layer of Golden Mile Complex Reveals itself, something thats dear to my heart, tongue and tummy..fooooood ...Glorious THAI FOOD !! SupercallyfogilisticSpicydelicious !!!!
An Awesome Array of Thai Food ! Phad's, Curries, Tom Yum Goongs, Yum Yum Yum ! Freshly Made from the hottest of chillies and served steaming hot, each dish is a wonderland of gastronomy.
A colourful array of Fried, Skewered, Steamed, Boiled, Sweet, Sour, Salty, Spicy and Bitter Sensations adorning the tables in the foyer of the building, with hungry diners tucking into the delicacies makes your mouth water.
Phad Thai and Phrik Nam Pla and other dishes which I cant Pronounce, the Colours, the Aroma of the food Makes your Head Spin ! and My Favourite - Udangs (Prawns) and Sotongs (Squids) Swimming in a sea of Lemony, Spicy Broth that almost divine thing called ........
Tom Yum Kung, Tom Yum Goong or Just Tom Yam
Opposite the line of eataries there are mini marts selling snacks and bric-a-bracs, Made in Thailand !! Souvenirs, Cakes, Clothes, Drinks a dazzaling array of the largest collection of thai products all under one roof ! Even the Sign Board to the shops are in Thai Language
For Some reason i never got past the first floor of this Complex and explored whats on the second floor onwards, maybe next time i will, if i can once more make it past that smell near the Money Changer....Until then Chok Dee Krap !!
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