Last night after an all-day palliative care conference at the hospital (the previous day we spent at a hospice, so it was a nice wrap-up) our coworker, Sze Fui, and our clinical coordinator took us out for dinner in Geylang. Sze Fui is a native Singaporean and wanted to show us the non-touristy areas of Singapore. Yes, please. We took the MRT to Geylang and walked a few miles down a road filled with fruit stands on the sides. It was 8pm and everyone was out shopping. Sze Fui pointed out the local fuits and we got to taste a few. The Durian here is a fuit that is actually illegal on the MRT because it is so spikey and smelly. I swear that is why. Apparently it is a fruit that smells and tastes different to everyone; when you ask someone what it is like, they can't describe it and they either detest it or love it. I haven't tried it yet, but I've smelled it from a long way away and I'm not sure if I'm a lover or a hater yet. Locals go nuts for them, though. In fact, on our hike today there were Singaporeans throwing sticks at the trees in hopes that Durian would fall down (spikey fruit shooting down from the sky isn't my idea of a relaxing Sunday).
Geyland is actually known to be the red-light district in Singapore; prostitution is legalized here so Liz and I decided to make a few extra bucks and give it a whirl. I keed, I keed; we walked right on by with our Singaporean tour guide.
She brought us to the largest Hawker stand we've been to yet. I don't know if I've mentioned it but Hawker stands are the most exciting and cheapest places to eat. In the “olden” days, Singapore was full of push cart vendors, selling their tasty wares all over town. In recent years the govt has mandated that the hard-working purveyors should be grouped together into more modern food complexes, with cleanliness and hygiene controlled by strict regulations. They are marked with an A, B, C and so forth. It is so hot and exciting in the stands. We let Sze Fui order food including Sting ray, Rojak (fruit and vegetable dish), Satay, noodles and a sugar cane drink. You actually see them squeeze the canes to make the fresh drink with ice. You order at the stands - it is usually S$1.50 to S$3.00, which amounts to less than 1 American dollar for some things - and give them your table number and they bring it over when it's ready. I loved the Stingray and washed it all down with a Cendol (refer to previous post and newest obession). I can't believe the stands are open until 2am. This city never sleeps.
Glad we had a chance to see the surrounding neighborhoods where Sze Fui tells us that "real" Singapore lives.
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