Around the world in 80 days

Well,not really.....more like half way around the world in 23 hrs!!!That's how far I travelled last Friday.It was to reach this beautiful Asian country of Singapore.The flight is gruelling.....even though I had incredibly short stop overs.I think the effect is not just travelling so many miles but also travelling across so many time zones.The body is so totally confused.....so was I.And coming from winter to summer was another interesting experience.There I was wrapped in layers of clothing to keep me warm one day and bang the next day I am in capris and slippers!!!!

This being my first trip to Asia after a year in the US,many things seem different.For starters,cars on the other side of the road.It took me a good few weeks to get used to the system in the US and now that I had it all down,I have to reorient myself again.It struck me as a little strange that the taxi driver was operating the gear stick with his left hand.....it only took me a couple of minutes to realise though that for the majority of my life that is what I had been used to.I reached home in the unearthly hour of 2.30am.As we walked in,my cousin switched on the lights.Aah....why did they seem a tad too bright???Of course,it was the tube lights!!!!All white and bright......this was followed in quick succession by the ceiling and table fans.You should remember that Singapore is a tropcial country where it can get pretty humid.So fans of all kinds abound in every household.After chatting up with my cousin and his wife,we finally decided to go to bed at around 4.30am.No great shakes....considering that it was 2.30pm according to my internal clock!!

After a reasonably sound sleep,I woke up and decided to head to the university to check out the surprises that awaited me there.I really wasn't hoping to find anything too different but anyway wanted to go and just see how things were for myself.I took the bus and man,was I thrilled!!!The bus is my favourite mode of transport.It is comfortable,convenient and reasonably fast.To me,it is also a great way to get to know the people of the city.Lots of interesting things happen on buses.....well,that's a discussion for another day.I went to my department first.Then I just had to visit the library.I must mention here that the library has long been my haven.....my center of refuge.I have spent many a good hour here trying to write assignments and papers,looking for articles,mailing,talking and yes,best of all,napping.Some of my best afternoon naos have been inside these very walls.It is truly a special place and I used to know it like the back of my hand.But guess what......the library is a whole other being now.It has been totally revamped and refubrished and looks totally different.There are wider,open spaces,swank and furturistic seats,LCD monitors,white wood shelves,all glass walls.........I don't know what to make of it yet.....but I certainly will have to reacquaint myself to these changes.

Next,I was headed to my bank.I had an account at the university branch of the biggest bank in Singapore.This branch was housed in the adjoining university hospital premises.I go there and guess what....the branch no longer exists!!That was really a surprise......nobody there seemed to know why they had closed down.It had been replaced by a book store.That sure seemed strange since many professors,students and doctors had their account there.Anyway,found the next closest branch and went there.I thought I had been mighty smart by sleeping for most of the flight....unfortunately my body did not think so.By the time I was done with all this gallavanting,it was past 4pm and my legs were beginning to give way.Got back home and had a quick siesta.

Have successfully got over whatever was left of my jetlag over the weekend.But now the starting signs of a nasty cold threaten me.I have left my laptop at the computer center for some configuration to get done and am now on my way to get it back.I can't say everything is fine but hey that's part of being a student.One thing I can say though is that I am fully back to being a student again.....what with running to catch the bus,eating at the canteen,hovering behind seats for a computer at the library and happily standing in line for free samples of Nescafe and Milo :))!!

I am amazed at how easily I have shifted roles and how comfortable I feel to be back here.Of course,the perfect scenario would have been to have my husband here with me.......ah well,one cannot have everything one wants.

Ok,long enough post for a soon to be sick person.Shall stop now.Till next time then.

PS:I realised yesterday that one of the advantages of being close to China,designer brands that are made and exported from China at amazing prices.Imagine Abercrombie and Fitch shirts and sweaters for around $10!!!!!!