Dann Fong

Say What?

When I visited Singapore last year, I did not know what to expect (except for the HIGH cost of cigarettes), what I should do or where I should start. I went there with my mom, aunt, cousin and her three little kids (they were going to visit their dad who lives and works in Singapore). Anyway, we spent two weeks in the country. Personally, if you would simply want to visit all the sights then about a week would suffice. But if you want to do some serious shopping as well, then spend a bit more time.

We arrived in Singapore around 12MN and got to the house/apartment 30min later. We immediately went to see some of the country's sights the following morning. Of course, we were off to Sentosa Island; which I still say is one of the most attractive theme parks that I have been in. The island offers a mixture of activities, and along with that, a mixture of people. There were Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Filipinos, Europeans and Americans among many others on the island. This was where my confusion started.

While waiting for one of the kids to have his henna done, a girl came up to me and started talking to me in Korean and holding up a camera. I simply stared at her dumbfounded and she realized I wasn't Korean and that I don't understand what she was saying and she said "picture us". Oooohhh...she was simply asking me to take her picture along with her friends. Anyway...on with my own vacation.

On the second day, we went to a mall which prominently sell electronic gadgets and appliances known for relatively cheap prices (I forgot the name of the mall). I was canvassing for a Wii gaming console. In one store, the guy kept talking to me in Malay, fortunately I can understand a little Malay and he spoke 1/4 in English.  I didn't buy from him. The next kept talking to me in Chinese even if I was saying "I don't understand, English please." Of course, I again didn't buy from him and I even got an "I kick your ass" look from the guy. After some more looking, I finally was convinced by a guy who speaks fluent English and surprisingly, fluent Filipino too! Unfortunately for me, I found out later on that I payed more than what the others were offering. Oh what the heck, I still have a Wii console and a full set up of Rock Band. So yeah, it was aaaalllriiiight.