The Rickshaw

As I mentioned in the previous blog, Scott and I went to Clarke Quay this past weekend but I failed to mention our ride home. I had decided to dress up and wear heels that night but since I practically live in bare feet or flip flops my feet were in a bit of pain. As we were walking back to the MRT station after dinner, we were approached by the Rickshaw drivers. For those of you who don't know, rickshaws are the bikes with a cart pulled either behind it or on the side for passengers. Since my feet were killing me at this point I gladly paid the S$10 dollars for the short ride to the MRT.

From the very beginning it was a unique experience complete with music playing from somewhere beneath the cart we were sitting in. It quickly became more exciting as he turned the rickshaw directly into on-coming traffic! Thankfully we made it across the 3 lane road and turned to at least be moving the same direction as the traffic although you could have easily walked faster than we were moving. Soon he had picked up some speed and he then we made a left turn...away from the MRT station we needed to be at. Scott and I were amused with the ride so decided to just enjoy it. Well, enjoy it as much as I could as I had a death grip on the railing willing the other vehicles not to hit us. He finally made one more turn (again directly into on coming traffic) and annouced the MRT station was right across the street. He was correct though it was the wrong MRT station on the wrong line. We ended up walking twice as far as we even had to change trains and added an extra 4 stops! Though my feet were beyond painful at this point, it was completely worth our traffic dodging scenic rickshaw ride.

Food =) We have a McDonald'd about a block from our house its one of the few "western" places to eat that actually tastes the same (mostly). I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but there is a complete obsession with Chili sauce here much like the US has with ketchup. I have to admit I am becoming addicted as well since it is slightly spicy and I never liked ketchup much anyways. They also offer a curry sauce for the chicken nuggets along with our familiar sweet n sour and barbecue. The menu is much more limited with only 6 meals including a fold-over grilled chicken (looks like chicken in a pita wrap) and there are no pork products. Burger King is the same way serving only turkey bacon and ham. They also offer an "upsize" option that is the equivalent of a medium drink and large fry in the US.

Markets

Scott and I are both full blown into working again, so we haven't gotten out much the last couple weekends. We spent all last Saturday being complete bums in the apartment which was wonderful. Its Saturday again and we still haven't gone out much, though we did venture down to the local markets by our apartment. Its a different atmosphere and experience than we are used to in the US. We have to go to one store for milk and eggs, a different one for fruit, another one for vegetables, and then make it to the bakery for bread. All of the stores are right in the same area, in fact there are Super Walmarts that take up more space than all the vendors together. Its nice but just a different experience for us. There are some vendors with fresh fish, poultry, and pork (I think) though I haven't attempted to purchase anything from these. First, I don't know how to cook fish and I am not touching it when it still has it head and more importantly eyes. Then the poultry is pretty much the same thing since they sell the whole chicken although there are some cut up parts I couldn't tell you what parts they were cut from. The other I believe is pork again not really sure and I don't think they sell beef down there (not surprising since it isn't common here anyways).

Aside from the food vendors there are numerous other little shops which really makes it a community area. We can get pretty much everything we need down there (aside from the meats because I am still scared!). There are stores with toilet paper and paper towels, another with notebooks and toys, one for movies and cds, and Scott even found workout shorts for S$0.80 a piece. You really can't beat that.... have to save this money to afford going out =P

I already mentioned food but Scott and I went to Clarke Quay last night. I think my favorite restaurant in Singapore is a Spanish Tapas restaurant. Its the closest to American food I have found here. Though I think you can find any ethniticity of food you can think of there... Persian, Indian, Morrocian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Korean, or American (happens to be a Hooters!)

The Beating

Scott and I were walking around the local shops right by our apartment today after getting some lunch. Scott got a haircut and I decided to check out the Acupuncture & Massage place. I stopped in and was told a one hour massage was only S$40... which is pretty cheap compared to US prices. So I jumped on the chance for an hour long massage. That was my first mistake. I told them I was having pains in my shoulder and thats were I needed the most work. That was my second mistake.

This tiny little lady proceeded to beat the crap out of my back and shoulders. She was using her elbows and knuckles. At some point she actually climbed onto the table and sat on my back with her knees crushing me. To finish this massage, she had me sit up while she literally beat me with her fists. Needless to say, I am in a little bit of pain at the moment... more than when I went in for the massage. I guess I will know if it worked in a couple days when I either love the lady or hate her. I think will be a little more cautious next time I want a massage.

Food: We went to China Town tonight and I am becoming more and more of a vegetarian. I tried Fried Carrot Cake for the first time tonight which has neither carrots or cake. Its a dinner not a dessert dish, but I couldn't really tell you what was in it. I know it was vegetarian and quite good especially with the extra chili sauce I added. The closest thing I can compare it to is a scrambled omelette with random vegetables (wish I knew what kind) and asian spices topped with green onions. Its a horrible description but something I suggest trying.

Fish Food

Scott and I attempted to go the Night Safari in Singapore on Saturday night, but we got rained out (surprise, surprise). So, we decided to hang out at the restaurants and gift shops at the entrance to kill sometime before getting another taxi.

We noticed some large fish tanks with people sitting their feet inside, and decided to check it out. They are called Doctor Fish and actually eat the dead skin off... so we decide to try it! We sat down on a bench, put our feet in the water, and the fish immediately latched on. It was the strangest feeling at first, but after a couple seconds you kinda got used to it. The funniest part was how many fish I had on me. Remember, they are attracted to dead skin.... I had so many on my heels you couldn't see my skin!! We had another couple sharing our "pond" and I must of had 80% of the fish on me. I wasn't sure if I should be embarrassed or proud. I decided to go for proud since we had also accumulated a large crowd with people asking to take pictures of my feet. We sat with our feet in the water for 15 min and honestly you could tell a difference when we finally finished. I really did need a pedicure.

Food time: I was craving something sweet at the park, so decided to try the Almond Longan. It was shredded ice with almond flavored jello cubes and longan fruit. It was strange and not sure I would get it again. A lot of the desserts here consist of shredded ice with flavoring or some kind of brightly colored gelatin cubes.