Running Through Me Like Water

I spent this day feeling sorry for myself. It’s like my body just gave up on me. I kept waking up all night due to a stiff neck. My ears were still plugged up from diving. I have a bruise on my leg from where I fell doing the kick. I still have a cough with green phlegm from my bronchial tubes. And to top it all off I got sick from the bad sushi a couple nights earlier. I usually have a rock solid digestive tract, so this bout of diarrhea was particularly unpleasant. Even water raced down my system. So I didn’t eat anything all day and drank a few ounces of water, which I regretted.

I spent 3 hours at the Museum of Asian Civilization, with frequent bathroom breaks. If you could break it up among multiple days you could easily spend a solid 10 hours there seeing the whole collection and really enjoy it. The regions Southeast Asia, East Asia, West Asia/ Islam, and South Asia arrange the museum. The collections are great, filled with really interesting examples and well laid out. There was a special exhibit on the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which was very interesting. I think Vietnam will have to be my next trip to the region, maybe next year. After the museum we met up with Christie on Orchard Street. Orchard felt like Times Square, loud and packed and full of neon and shops. We quickly moved on. Christie took the scenic router around Singapore, including the Arabic neighborhood, really Malay Muslims. It’s interesting how the different neighborhoods have such different character reflective of the community that forms it. The Chinatown is busy and commercial and a lot of restaurants. Little India is loud and laid back. People here are hanging out, having a good time, no hard sell, eating and having a slowly enjoying themselves. The Muslim neighborhood is quiet and low key.

The first thing I did back at the house where I started on the Ciprofloxacin (antibiotics.) After a couple of hours chatting we went to the mall food court, where most meals occur, and I ambitiously ordered a big bowl of noodle soup, but after a few spoonfuls realized my limitations. I slept well that night.

This is the point in the trip that I go off on my own. Arthur was the best traveling companion I could ever ask for. He’s been lots of fun, absolutely reliable, helpful, accommodating, always willing to go anywhere and do anything (except eat durian.) For the next two weeks I am taking just a small backpack, the one I carry to work everyday. Half of it is filed with electronics and toiletries. I’ll have to wash my clothes as I go.