A quick morning update

We went to dinner last night with Shay's site coordinator and another occupational therapist. We went to a Chinese restaurant near Chinatown. We had roast duck and they brought the whole duck to the table and then took it away to remove all the crispy skin and added it to little crepes made with an eggy mixture and a little plum sauce. These were served with green onions and cucumber. It was really good. The crispy skin reminded me of our attempts as kids to steal the turkey skin. We also had a tofu stew made with the smoothest, creamiest tofu I've ever had that was prepared with lots of mushrooms. It was fun to meet people from Singapore. The other woman was from Indonesia but had lived in California because she went to USC and had worked in Pasadena.

Driving to the restaurant we went through Chinatown which is all lite up for the New Years. It looked beautiful. The city is full of large high rise blocks or villages and very modern skyscrapers. I saw one building with a very large portion of floors removed about ¼ of the way up so that you basically look through the buildings. The level had lots of plants and trees. Then many floors up from this was another “hole” in the building. It reminded me just a little of Arquitectonica's work in Miami, The Atlantis Building. I think I remember that one of the principals in that firm is Laurina Spear who is a really cool designer. This building in Singapore was certainly less dramatic than those in Miami but I was excited to what sorts of architecture they have in Singapore. We thought we would go to Chinatown to explore today but Shay wants to stay at the hotel and rest up so I plan to go to Arab Street. I believe this will be a short bus ride. On this street I expect to see lots of textiles and perhaps find some batiks for Collette and Terry.

Tonight Shay wants to eat at the hotel. The breakfasts have been great. Of course they have eggs and toast and cereal but they also have things for Asians too. They serve these mild, little chicken sausages which unfortunately I can’t remember the name. They serve a fried bread somewhat like chipati and the congee I mentioned earlier. It works well for me to eat a large, late breakfast and then eat again late in the afternoon. With all the walking I’m hoping that the scale is perfectly calibrated when I return home so that the number which appears when I stand on it is some marvelous figure rather than a shock.

The hotel seems fine but a little overwhelmed today. They don’t answer the phone and even after asking several times for a hair drier (even asking the manager himself) has not produced the coveted appliance. Travel is excellent for teaching flexibility.

I still have not managed to upload photos to show you the marvels surrounding me. Now this morning I have forgotten to bring down the cable. Sorry.

I want to use my phone to call my family and hear their voices but it is either some ungodly hour for all of you or I remind myself of the expense. But know that I miss you all terribly and wish I could share this experience with you.