Singapore-Day 1

I finally arrive in Singapore after 23 hours of total flight time.  The flight went from Cle to LA (5 hrs) to China (15 hrs) to Singapore (3 hrs).  I had a nice lady to talk to on the flight to LA who used to be a travel nurse in the US.  The flight to China was very cramped and I had very little leg room but at least was by the window.  I tried to sleep as much as I could on the flight.  The flight activities went something like this: eat, sleep, listen to ipod, watch asian movie w/ subtitles, repeat.  I only got up once the whole flight, but somehow the flight flew by. 
First thing I learned about the Asian culture while waiting for my flight in LA; Asians do not really understand the concept of personal space.  This is only an observation, not a judgement.  My goal is to give you an idea of what the culture I'm about experience for awhile is like. 

I could not access the internet in China or figure out how to use my calling cards on their phones so I was hoping my family wasn't too freaked out by now that they hadn't heard from me yet.  I also had no idea if I still had a ride coming to get me at the airport since I couldn't check facebook, so I was pretty anxious once I got to China.

On the flight to Singapore, I really experienced the lack of personal space.  Since I do not want to disrespect another one's culture, I didn't say anything to the girl next to me whose elbow kept hitting me as she put on her make-up for the last half hour of the flight.  She was a dead ringer for this girl I went to school with. 

Finally I arrive in Singapore around 12:35pm two days later.  Immigration and customs was a breeze since I had my employment pass (similar to work visa) with me on hand.  My ride; two native Singaporian who are friends of my cousin's were there waiting for me outside of customs.  Even though my cousin knows these two natives, she has never met them in person, only on Skype.  I heard before I came here that it is one of the safest countries in the world.  I was still nervous about these two natives picking me up.  When I met them outside of customs, they were very respectable and helpful so I felt a little better.

Stepping outside into Singapore, it was hot and humid.  Quite a contrast to the cold spring Cleveland has been having so far.  I welcome the hot, but my hair will not survive the humid.  The ride from the airport to the hotel was beautiful.  There is a beautiful area called the East Coast Park (I think?) with beautiful greenery and the longest bike/running paths in Singapore overlooking the beautiful blue water.  Once we got into the city there's lots of pretty buildings and condos.  It looks like a mini-NYC when you get into the heart of the business district of Singapore. 

My hotel is in Little India and you definitely feel like that's where you are at.  The hotel room is small but has AC, free wifi, and free breakfast which is all I really need.  My first meal in Singapore is a spicy seafood noodle dish.  Ahhh authentic asian food=delicious.  I think it had chicken in it?  I decided before I came here that I will be open to trying any new foods over here whether it's meat or something else.

Jet lag=long evening nap and early bedtime.  Goodnight.