.jpg)
in no particular order
1. It's always beach and pool weather during some part of the day - sunny blue skies, let's go swimming!
2. Lots of fresh fruit - mangoes, pineapples, mangosteens, pomelos, passion fruit, papaya. And fresh fruit juice everywhere.
3. Simple apartment living = no yard work, quick cleaning, less stuff
4. Great restaurants! Indian food, fusion food, Thai food, local food, Dim Sum, Awfully Chocolate
5. Big city stuff to do - museums, science centers, shopping, the Zoo!
6. Culture is everywhere - joss sticks on the sidewalks, ladies walking around in Indian saris, mosques, temples. There's always something interesting to see. And there's always a holiday - Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya, Lantern festival, etc.
7. Interesting people - there's a big expat community with friends from all over the world
8. International Schools - the IB program, small teacher to student ratio, diversity, open minds
9. Travel! there are so many amazing places nearby - Thailand, Bali, Hong Kong, Cambodia, the Phillipines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia. Travel has always been an interest of mine, but now it is under my skin.
10. Travel. Did I say that already? Love love it.
10 things I don't love about living in Singapore
1. Cockroaches, ants, geckos in my kitchen
2. Hot and humid weather = sweat
3. Public transportation (although really nice and efficient) gets old: when its raining or when you are late, you can't get a taxi and you can't even call one, you are just stuck
4. Sometimes I just want normal groceries
5. Crowds, people staring at me, different sense of personal space
6. Weird smells - sewer, garbage, nasty tofu the neighbors are cooking
7. Costumer service - 'no stock!' they don't want to help you find what you are looking for, takes 3 days to get a gift certificate, bring out food when its ready not all together, no napkins or free water at some places
8. Squatty potties, public toilets are not my favorite
9. Expensive cost of living - rent! car! school!
10. When people don't understand my English
Not too bad, really.
We had some Indian friends who moved to Michigan from Singapore. They are back in Singapore now and at dinner once we talked about what things were hard for her when she moved to Michigan. They were all the same things! Just in reverse. Transportation, weather, food. She couldn't find her Indian ingredients or they were really expensive, she couldn't get used to the cold cold winter, and she couldn't believe there was no subway and the bus system was so bad.
People say living abroad is the best and hardest thing they've ever done.
I agree.
2 comments:
I 100% agree too! It is the best and the hardest thing. It was so interesting to be with the Dimond girls and see their perspective being back. It was so similar to Debbie and I. btw, Debbie and I were going on and on about how much we enjoy your blog and what a good writer you are! Miss you and the Singapore life (most of it anyway). :)
I think you will soon be adding garbage shoot to the list. With all those poopy diapers you will be so grateful for it. :)
Post a Comment