Let's take the train!

I love public transportation. I'm serious. In Oregon, we had two cars - mine and his. Here we have one car and we are so blessed to even have that; most families do not have access to a car at all. It is just too expensive. So I use public transportation to get around and it suits me fine. Today, lucky me, I used the three major ones: train, bus and taxi.

Train is by far my favorite method of travel here. It's well marked, well announced, well mapped out, cost effective and you can pretty much get anywhere. I have no problems walking a little ways to get to a train station. (Although the bus might be better during the rainy season.) The kids and I have been consistently using the MRT for months. Cade even misses it now that he's gone back to school during the week. Elise loves people watching and there's always someone trying to get her to smile. I'll be the first to suggest taking the train and I love going to new stations. I can easily say that it is one of the best things about living here.

This morning my daughter and I ventured out to try to learn the bus system. I hadn't used the bus yet because of one reason: you have to fold up your stroller. Have you tried holding a squirming 15 month baby and a diaper bag, making sure a five year old doesn't run in the road and folding up a stroller while a bus driver waits? No thanks. Alas, after watching her big brother get on and off the school (aka tour) bus for the last week and a half, Elise was excitedly pointing to every bus that went by. So I carried her as we rushed across the street to catch the next number 158. The bus system admittedly isn't hard to use and it's very cheap. Although the stops aren't announced so you do need to know, and watch for, where you are going. We ended up back tracking a bit when I decided 'oh shoot, I think we wanted to get off back there and hey, lots of people are getting off here, we should too.' And we walked a bit farther because we got on the number 12 instead of the 31. Elise didn't care, she loved looking out the window and proceeded to point at every bus there after. Once we learn how to navigate the system, it'll be great.

But I'm not a fan of taxis. I'm really not! That's the go-to for many people here but honestly, I think they are expensive and stressful. For example, I was in a taxi on the expressway (yes, Singapore has expressways) when the alternator went out and all power to the vehicle began to shut off: the air conditioning, the power windows, the meter, the radio, etc. We were lucky to pull into my destination. It was scary and you know both the driver and I were praying! On top of that, it was the first time I'd gone by myself and left Ross at home with the kids. Ok, so that example wasn't an expensive one - the meter wasn't working so he couldn't charge me. But it was stressful!
Then there were the taxi drivers who got 'lost' trying to find our destination because we obviously didn't know where we were going. That's when it starts to get expensive. Lesson learned: map out the route before you get in the cab. Or, as I do now, warn the 'uncle' that your baby starts screaming if you are in the cab too long. That'll get you the quicker/cheaper route.
Or the creepy drivers who ask too many questions about your children or just look at you funny.
Or the uncles who lecture you on how you really shouldn't take someone's cab even if it was an accident and you already feel guilty enough as it is.
Or the worst, the drivers who, no matter how long they've lived here or how well they speak English, cannot understand where you are trying to tell them to go. Dude! My condo has been built for 10 years. It's not new. It's not hard to find. (Truth be told, this is the one of the reasons I love the train so much. I don't have to talk to a soul if I don't want to and everything is announced in very proper English, along with several other languages depending on the line.) 
This video is hilarious to me now and very accurate.
But this afternoon, I needed to get somewhere more direct and a bit quicker. So I hailed the next available cab and was able to pick my son up from school and return home for $10. I'll admit, that may have been worth it.

I still vote to take the train.

Q & A with 'experienced' answers

We've been here for almost three months! That is incredible and so hard to believe. And we have learned a great deal in that short(?) amount of time. So here's an update to the Q&A (original post here) I posted before we moved to Singapore . . .

Q) Where is Singapore?

A) Smack in the middle of Southeast Asia - you can actually see Malaysia at the north side and the lights of Indonesia from our windows at night.

Q) What type of political system do they have?

A) There's a President, who seems cool after seeing his photo every where and watching him on the National Day broadcasts. There are ministries for EVERYTHING: Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Communication, you name it.

Q) What language do most people speak?

A) We've heard it all. The signs are mostly in English and thankfully the train announcements and signs are in English. But we hear Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, along with French, German, I even heard Finnish. There are so many different people here from all parts of the world.

Q) Are their special limits to women like dress code?

A) I haven't really noticed sexism here as much as I've noticed racism and religious beliefs. Woman dress according to their religion and tradition.

Q) Are there nice beach areas with snorkeling and diving?

A) East Coast Park has a nice open water area that Ross swam in for a triathlon recently and a nice beach area for Sandcastles. Sentosa is also known for beach front activities. There probably is snorkeling and diving but we still haven't found that.

Q) Beach bungalow or city high-rise?

A) We picked a mix of both! We live in a condo that's fairly low for high-rises, in a quieter neighborhood tucked a little out of the way from East Coast park. I love it! Easy access to shopping and the train, lovely amenities and the best part, making friends from just a few floors over.

Q) How bad is the pollution?

A) The pollution is not an issue. Even during the 'haze', it was nothing compared to the wildfires of Oregon. And there's often a rain storm or breeze that keeps the air moving.

Q) How does the cost of living compare to here?

A) The short answer is that everything costs at least double what we are used to at the store. Real Estate, schooling and cars are ridiculously expensive. Part of the adjustment has also been moving from a small sleepy town with not much to do to a big big city with lots going on. Having a life and shopping costs money.

Q) How much acid rain do they get per year?

A) I sure hope it's not acid rain because I often get caught without an umbrella and I love feeling the warm rain on my skin.

Q) I'd love to know more about holidays celebrated there.

A) National Day was fun! I love all the decorations that people put up to celebrate the country's birthday. And now that we are in Chinese Mid-Autumn celebration, Chinatown is decked out in fabulous colorful flower lanterns. I love that there always seems to be something for someone to celebrate and the pride that everyone takes in their holidays.

Q) I'd love to know what the schools and education is like!

A) Oh schools! How different that has been for us than what we anticipated. Foreigners are not allowed to attend local schools without approval from the Ministry of Education and that's a process. Locals are not allowed to attend international schools. We ended up putting Cade in the Canadian International School closer to us. He started this week so we'll see how it goes. He loves the quick bus ride and I'm excited about the variety of things he gets to experience.

Q) If I was a local, born and raised, what might I do for hobbies/entertainment?

A) It's all about food here. Have you eaten? Would you like to eat? Let's eat. They also like to celebrate holidays.

Q) Is there a vast difference between in the city and other areas?

A) There are definitely distinct parts of town and it's great that you can have all these different experiences within a short amount of travel time. Want to be a beach bum, go to East Coast Park and rent a bike. Want high-end shopping but more local, go to Orchard. Want high-end shopping but total tourist, go to Marina Bay Sands. Want the resort life, go to Sentosa. All these areas feel so separate but realistically, they all run into one. My favorite area to explore right now is Bugis on the edge of Chinatown, Clark Quay and the Arts District. It's where the National Central Library is located.

Q) Is Ross going to get caned?

A) Saying prayers that this doesn't happen. So far, knock on wood, he's been ok.

Q) What kind of animals can you find there in the wild?

A) We see tons of dogs, cats, birds, butterflies and lizards roaming around. The zoo and safari are awesome! But we liked the aquarium even better. We still need to go to the bird park.

Q) Why is gum outlawed?

A) The buying and selling of gum is illegal here and I have only heard you can buy it from the pharmacy. There are mixed reports on if it's illegal to chew gum. I've had two or three pieces since moving here but I'm very careful to chew with my mouth closed and dispose of it properly. I don't want to get 'Stomped'.

Q Is there a type of alcohol/drink they are recognized for and a must try for visitors?

A) All the tourists and expats say you have to have at least one Singapore Sling. But it's an expensive drink. I liked it though. The local 'Tiger Beer' has become a regular, especially the Radler with lemon in it. But alcohol is extremely expensive here so sometimes it's not even worth it to bother. Everyone drinks kopi (instead of coffee), milo or sjora, and lots of tea.

I know it's been quiet on the blogging scene from me. Can't believe how quick time flies by! Comment with your questions and I'll try to get them answered. Sending love from this part of the world.