Humidity, How I've Missed You.

This has been an interesting week.

Friday was the Easter celebration at American House. I’d say it went off without a hitch, but it was a long, exhausting day. And that day didn’t end when I punched the clock at 5:30, oooh no. I took the subway to the Airport Express line, and hightailed it through terminal three to the Dragon Air check-in desk. When I got to the desk the very helpful agent put me on an earlier flight to Hong Kong because my original flight was over an hour late and I would have missed my connecting flight to Singapore. After clearing Chinese immigration, customs, and security I made it to the gate with just enough time to sit around for a long time. By the time we all boarded the flight it was already 9pm, and I slept through most of the flight. I had a quick connection in Hong Kong, but I do have to say that while I understand that I was on a red-eye, and airport procedures change a little to accommodate a skeleton staff at those late hours, the fact that you have to go from terminal three to terminal one to get your connecting ticket stamped by a surly woman and then your baggage checked, to then go back to terminal three is a little silly.

My flight to Singapore was uneventful, and I slept through most of it, as well. I cleared Singaporean immigration and customs in record time, walking straight up to the desk without even having to queue at all. Ah, the joys of arriving at 5am.

After a quick stop at Starbucks to avail myself of their free wifi (and the much needed caffeine) I hopped a cab into the city.

I had forgotten what Singapore smells like. Singapore smells green, and alive. Even here, a stones throw from the bustle of Orchard Road, you could just as easily be tucked away in a rainforest hotel.

I love Singapore. Even more so because in the three days I’ve been here so far I have been treated to two tropical thunderstorms. All the fanfare: thunder, lightning, a torrential downpour, and then clear blue skies just an hour later. It was a beautiful thing.

Easter Sunday, I sat on the balcony with a cup of coffee and watched as small children hunted for eggs around the pool below. 

I'm here in Singapore to get a new Chinese visa, and it is proving a headache. As many proceedings that include a bureaucratic institution often do. After two trips to the visa office I'm scheduled for a third tomorrow morning, that should be my last. Later, when all of this is done, I'll post a page dedicated completely to the hoops and rigamarole that is getting a visa to go to China. For now I'm enjoying the heat, humidity, good food, and culture that Singapore has in abundance. 

I walked around China Town after my appointment this morning and ended up getting lunch at a really good Indian restaurant. I wish I could remember the name, because it's definitely worth going back to. 

I had planned to explore the warren-like streets further, but the skies threatened to open up, and I am loathe to be caught in a tropical downpour with important papers in my custody. 

Now I think it's time to indulge in a little balcony lounging with a book.