Senin, 25 Oktober 2010

Singapore

the land of no litter...
landed on sunday afternoon to haze (thank you Indonesia).
graciously hosted by the Stephen Bruce family.
amazed by all the greenery that the city has managed to keep intact.
stephen, who's lived here for only a few years has amassed a wealth of
knowledge about non touristy aspects of Singapore.
the city has put up these overpasses where, when you pass under them,
it automatically deducts "going under" fees from fifty cents to a few dollars
depending on the time of day. sundays are free so the time to race around the city
to your heart's delight would be on a sunday. this debit cards are used everywhere: gas stations, supermarkets, etc. a real cashless society. a bit frightening even though it is very convenient.

kids at international schools are drug tested twice a year. if you are positive the first time, the school principal is told. if a second time the government and you have to get off the island. that's a disincentive. but if you're pissed at your parents, that's one way to ruin their lives.
"I shall piss in a cup and get you fired!"

i hadn't realized so much of the island was built on reclaimed land. after a building has been up for 20 years, it's torn down and rebuilt.

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