HELLO SINGAPORE!

Yup we're back.

The flights from LA to Korea and then Korea to Singapore were ardous but welcome cuz we're on our way back to our 2nd home.

Settling in normally takes about 2 weeks:

- coping with the jet lag is tiresome as our inner clocks try to differentiate between day and night; our bodies reel & sweat profusely from the humidity;

- new oils and spices roil our stomachs;

- walking with the masses in stations and malls hurries you along;

- finding the nearest hawker centre, bank and train stations, from where we live, involves lots of walking & observing;

- we look to the right and left more than once when we cross roads cuz Singaporeans drive on the right.

and dozens of other stuff...

Yup we're back!!

On your right is a view of the Singapore skyline.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

SOAKING UP YOSEMITE

- Flying From Bolivia Thru The US To Singapore -

We normally take a break in Southern California and spend some time with my sister, Rebecca and her husband, Jim during our long journey from Bolivia to Singapore. Staying with them for a couple of days is a welcome rest in between long and tiring flights.

This time around they took us to a popular tourist destination, Yosemite. And so of we went to this protected natural reserve. It was a fascinating experience: the incredible sights & panoramic view. A half day tour of the place was the highlight; Bill Fontane, a seasoned guide was driver as well as tour guide; he gave us a running commentary of Yosemite's history, the fauna, flowers, sequioa trees, the various mountains, landscapes and waterfalls. Bill's voice sounded like something behind those TV wildlife documentaries from the 60's. He is very eloquent in his commentaries and explanations; Yosemite, coloured by his insights, comes alive. Its quite obvious that the man loves his job.

The stars at night provide a stunning perfomance for those willing to lift their heads to gaze at the sky.

God has shed his grace on thee, America.

Tonight we continue our journey from Los Angeles to Dallas; and then its the big one: a 14 hour flight from Dallas to Korea; we then endure a further 5 hours from Seoul to Singapore.

BON VOYAGE!! SANTA CRUZ, BOLIVIA HERE WE COME!!

FLYING THROUGH THE CORRIDORS OF SEOUL, LOS ANGELES, MIAMI AND THE ANDES.


We left Singapore on a Sunday; All Saints Church prayed for us during the service and sent us out with the Lord’s blessing. The preacher spoke on God’s people in exile; a very appropriate message for Elijah, Michelle and myself.

Here we are at the airport in Inchon, Korea on a stopover; the journey from Singapore to Bolivia is long and energy sapping. We left Changi Airport, Singapore at about 0100 in the early morning. We normally return to Bolivia knackered i.e. worn out, exhausted. Korean Airlines are attentive to the needs of their passengers; the leg room is spacious; cabin space for hand luggage on top of the passenger seats is very generous; although they don’t speak much English, the cabin crew smile and are generally helpful.

We’ve just arrived in the US and are spending the night in Los Angeles; tomorrow we fly to Miami and then arrive in Santa Cruz. Bolivia. Elijah and I went to 2 malls; their built horizontally and the shops are spread out over larger spaces. We prefer the Singapore malls; they´re vertical and are more diverse. America is a BIG country; their people are huge (some of them obese!); their food servings are enormous and their cars are not what you’d call petite. We went to Barnes & Nobles: bought a magazine and a book on creative writing and picked up the latest copy of The Atlantic.

The kind folk at Barnes & Nobles called us a cab. The not so kind folk at the taxi company did not send a cab after saying that they would. Getting a taxi was a trying experience; the yellow cab company saved the day. They sent one after a 10 minute wait. Most Americans have cars; buses and taxis are NOT the major mode of transportation unless you're in a busy city.

Tomorrow we fly to Miami…catch you then!!

HERE COME THE POLICE!

QUICK HIDE YOUR PIRATE DVD/CD COPIES!

Check out the flea market along Batu Ferringhi, Penang (Island City in Malaysia).

Flea market? they used to call these things Pasar Malam (night market in English). The shops with their bright lights straddle the pavement; some spill over on to the road. Tourists from the beach hotels like ants swarm all over the place, looking for a bargain. Ang Mohs (caucasians) know how to bargain! Trinkets, dresses, shorts, shirts, t- shirts, samurai swords, souveniers and decorations light up the place.

Piracy is also alive and well at the flea market. How do these guys get hold of DVD copies of movies that have yet to be released in the movie theatres? Copies of the latest music CDs are packed in envelopes. Crowds mill around these shops, trying to grab what's available. That's not all. Apparently the government is trying to rid the island of these illegal copies. Have they been successful? Probably not, judging by the number of pirate copies available. Give them some marks for trying. These merchants of piracy know when government officers are planning to raid the place; the vendors are warned by the informants of an imminent raid. The information is then relayed through walkie talkies. Yup all the vendors have their own walkie talkie sets. In matter of seconds the DVD and CD copies are quickly stashed away. When its "safe" the walkie talkies light up; vendors bring out their goods and continue selling. For some strange reason this game is played through the night. The vendors move rapidly at the slightest suspicion of a raid. Sorry la..have to keep!! they quickly put their stuff in boxes. One shop managed to close their operations by quickly shutting down their collapsable doors in a matter of seconds.

But get this: there are NO copies of computer software!! Microsoft have almost wiped out software piracy in Penang.

Editors Note: I spoke too soon. A couple of days later I found pirated copies of software in one of the malls in Penang. Save your money folks the quality is bad.

PROGRESSIVE MALAY NATIONALISM VS COMPETING IDEOLOGIES

The Turban Issue A Case In Point

Secular-minded progressive malay nationalists have always tried to assimilate the best from external influences and reject what is percieved as against their interests. The Arabic turban is percieved as an ideologically driven external influence which undermines the long term development of the Islamic malay community. Islam in its moderate shape is a positive element in Malay nationalism. Identifying the turban as part of mainstream Islam would probably open the floodgates to other practices and beliefs which would challenge progressive malay nationalism. A closed and literalistic interpretation of the Quran according to the progressive Malay nationalist is harmful to Malaysia. In yesterday's New Straits Times, a female journalist (there was a picture of her without the tudung) did a column on a moderate Islam as opposed to the more fundamenalistic version as found in the middle east. Her piece was a classic example of progressive malay nationalism presenting its case. She reported on the very positive comments given by middle eastern muslim tourists; comments based on their exposure to the freedoms of muslim women in Malaysian society. Some of these tourists were hopeful that their countries would imitate the Malaysian example!! God Bless Malaysia!!

Yup..I'm stil in Penang enjoying the great food and the hospitality of its people.