Weekend - hooraaay!

After one week of acclimatization this first weekend was very welcome - to just relax. Actually on Friday was “happy hour” again, this time in a nearby bar. There we met Linda, our bosses wife and had conversation for the first time with all the guys. Finding out that there where guys from Luzon and Mindanao (Phillies) and that K.C. had traveled through Europe in the eighties, just with a backpack and a sleeping bag. We got stories told how difficult it was to communicate with French people, and almost too familiar episodes in the Balkans. (to all my readers from the Balkans, be aware that I feel a special closeness and love to this region and that I understand under this term the region south of Vienna :-).
Slightly drunk – because somehow we happened to be quite thirsty – we decided to go home early to catch some sleep. We had plans for some sightseeing -wich we had to skip to Sunday, due to Oscars invitation to his Austrians Barbecue. Meeting there Kurt & Petra from Illmitz, Bernie a “Kiwi” with tyrolean accent, Emmsy a former Miss Singapore and Oscars kids Richard & Robert and having a good time. After Michael and I finished all the meat they bought just for us (as it seemed), and having the pleasure to enjoy some Weißbier and Schnaps, Kurt drove us right in the middle of Singaporean nightlife – Clarke Quay. You may believe it or not, but we only checked out where the club of the clubs was, famous “ministry of sound” and then went home. Turns out we’re getting old.

Funny thing besides: I figured why men married women in the first place. Your guess? Love – pshaw! It was ironing, definitely. After ironing all my shirts I came to the conclusion that the very first act of marriage must coincide somehow with men doing business and so wearing shirts. I agree, there is a calming effect, but it’s for sure gone after the 2nd hour :-$



On Sunday we did sightseeing. Together with Markus, an intern of the Austrian embassy, we visited the Singapore National Museum of History, Fort Glanning, Raffles Hotel, the Esplanade and the Riverside. Check the Webalbum for more Fotos.



The conclusion after this first week?
Well the lady at the airport was halfright – most of all Singapore stands for shopping. Despite the efforts of Singapores government to decorate this melting pot of cultures it’s still what it was meant to be ever since - a trading outpost - once for the british, now for the whole world.

So? - your orders, please!