The day to day in another place

How great does five weeks in Singapore sound? So exciting, traveling to faraway lands, trying new foods, going new places, meeting new people.

It does sound pretty good, and maybe someday we will go on such a five week adventure. Since we arrived on March 3 in Singapore, Christine has been working, and I've been sharing nanny duties with Bobby's grandparents. Christine's parents live in the suburbs, so when you exit the front door, it doesn't exactly look like this:

view of downtown Singapore from offshore

These three towers of Marina Bay Sands have become the most recognizable image of Singapore. Unfortunately, their image does a disservice to foreigners who may be curious about Singapore. Inside the towers are a luxury hotel, luxury restaurants, and a casino. It's really designed for super rich foreigners. Although I'm not a super rich foreigner, I could be there with a 45 minute train and bus ride. Alas, I am not likely to do that. There are a lot of cool, interesting places to visit in this country that don't cater exclusively to the rich.

In fact, the suburbs of Singapore look a lot more like this:

Public housing a few streets over from the Chens'. I always found it quaint how laundry often hangs from high rise windows. Keep in mind there are literally thousands of high rise public apartment buildings like this in Singapore.

Mostly, on this trip, I stay at home with Mr. and Mrs. Chen and Bobby. It's too hot to just take Bobby all over the city. Also, he needs a lot of naps and milk, so that's a lot of work, especially when trying to travel around a busy city. Anyway, his grandparents are loving every moment they spend with him -- all the more reason to keep him at home. I do go out to meet friends every few days, sometimes bringing Bobby, but mostly I am at home, and Christine is mostly at the office. I think Bobby's grandparents have really gotten the hang of babysitting now, so maybe in my remaining week I will venture out more and leave Bobby at home. He's been hard to babysit because he refuses naps, but Mr. Chen seems to have a trick now to get him to sleep. In the meantime, I've explored the local neighborhood, Serangoon North, a bit (there's not much to see here...), eaten at all of the local coffee shops (ie, small hawker centers), read some books, and chatted with my father in law.

Below is a photo narration of our adventures in and out of the house.

• Most adventures out of the house require a bus and train ride. Out here in the suburbs, there just isn't much nearby except for the coffee shops. Singapore's public transportation system is of course famously efficient and will take you most anywhere you want to go on the island. That doesn't mean, though, that it's fun to wait at the bus stop in the heat with a baby and then fight your way into a crowded bus. It can, however, be done.

Bobby's first ride on Singapore's MRT (Mass Rapid Transit). His stern look tells me that he is concentrating hard to take it all in.

Intrepid travelers on the bus. 

• Christine and I had some lunch and snacks in the city center last Saturday.

Did I mention that it's hot? We stopped at Singapore's only Japanese craft beer bar, Ji Biru, to escape the heat and crowds and cool down with some Hitachino.

You don't own a Patek Philippe, you just hold onto it for the next generation. I should buy one and give it to Bobby when he starts his career! Oh, they cost upwards of $20,000? We bought a lottery ticket instead.

• We met some friends for dinner last week, and the waitresses fell in love with Bobby.

Bobby and old Singaporean friends at a French bistro, the only Western food I've had since leaving Chicago.

Bobby with his waitress friend, Sisi.

• Scenes from Serangoon.

Waiting in line at our favorite prawn noodle stall at Serangoon Gardens Food Centre. Mr. Chen has been buying prawn noodles here for years. The ladies who own the stall are always very excited to see Bobby. They are the ones who gave him his first red packet! Bobby, you must remember to thank them when you learn to say "thank you."

Bobby with his grandpa at Serangoon Gardens Food Centre engaging in one of his favorite hobbies, feeling surfaces and banging his hand on them. He looks also like he could be banging his hand in order to hasten the milk delivery. "Where's my milk, Mom!" (bangs hand).

Christine and Bobby at Serangoon Gardens Food Centre.

• Life on Limbok Terrace, chez Chen.

Mrs. Chen and Kai Kai

Mr. Chen and Kai Kai

Chewy looks cute, right? He is actually extremely annoying. Every day he barks at Christine and me. He apparently does not approve of us staying here, even after we've been here a month. Mr. Chen keeps saying to him, "What is wrong with you? You're a very naughty dog. I'm going to chop you up and turn you into a curry."

Mrs. Chen making Bobby laugh.

Next week we head to Tokyo, where we really will do the vacation with a baby.