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| First views of Singapore: Boat Quay |
I spent four short days in Singapore. It was a strategic entry point for two reasons, the flight was the cheapest and I had heard it was clean and modern. I thought it would be a good place to recover from the flight, although some would say a sunny island with beaches might be a better choice than an island with high rises. I also figured it would be a lot more laid back than Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur as a first stop. I was right. No one bothered me at all or barely even gave me a second glance in Singapore. There is every kind of everyone there, no one is too out of place. You have people from all over South East Asia, India, Pakistan, South America, Europe and the US.
I was lucky I took a break the afternoon I arrived, it allowed me to ward off my jet lag nicely and be able to get full days in after that. When I say full I mean full! I was doing Singapore like I normally travel, packing it all in. That carefree attitude from the Europe leg had all but vanished. I was surging through the days like a traveler on a mission, while in the back of my head I knew I didn’t have a plan for the rest of my time in South East Asia, I was cruising like I did. It was a big case of fake it till you make it.
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| First views: Central Business District (CBD) |
I am happy to say that my time in Singapore was not only
highly enjoyable but useful. Within a day or two a plan floated in almost
effortlessly. I say almost because I had spent the preceding months fretting
and berating myself about it. Once I was on the ground it was easier to see the
route because it was more real. I was more in touch, I was actually in Southeast Asia. I am still honestly
battling the impulse to book all of the next three months. It can be done. I
can see it. However that’s not the point. I’m trying to learn how to leave room
for spontaneity, how to be present, how to live each moment, planning out three
months doesn’t help me do that. I know it sounds crazy but you would be
surprised how hard it is to not plan. I come from a planning culture. If we can
plan it, we can make some version of it happen. It might as well be our
national motto.
How long can I go without a “plan”? Follow along and we’ll
see together.
