The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 13

"Ready for our day on the town?" Paul said. "I'm massively jet-lagged but I need to keep active or I'll surely go to sleep." He didn't sound confident. Seeing Maria wearing a red cotton t-shirt, white snug fitting pants, and sandals gave him incentive to push through his fatigue.

"I'm still not adjusted to the local time either," Maria said. "I know you've been here before but it's been a long time, Singapore changes fast. Let's head to Chinatown first."

Walking to the MRT station (subway) Paul now felt the full impact of Singapore's stifling climate. It was always hot and humid. Ninety every day and it barely got below eighty at night. Humidity had to be hovering around ninety percent much of the time. The exceptional sameness bemused Paul. Singapore is nearly on the equator so twelve hours of daylight and twelve hours of night, sunrise and sunset at seven, every day, all year. The only change according to the locals was the rainy season and the dry season. Paul had lived through both and didn't notice much difference.

Singapore is a remarkably orderly place. This is mostly the result of government regulations enforcement. Regulation is so extensive that is the target of sarcastic humor. 'Singapore is a Fine City' is a popular slogan displayed on T-shirts worn by tourists. The shirt displays more than a dozen logos depicting fine offences. J-walking, spitting, chewing gum, along with many others are punishable by a cash penalty of several hundred dollars.

These controls, however, make Singapore a clean, safe city surrounded by countries chaotic in comparison. All of this government oversight requires lots of money. Singapore, thus, has among the highest taxes in the world. The population receives security, free health care, and low cost education in return. Most residents are happy with this arrangement.

Maria led the way out of the subway station and down the main street in Chinatown. I love the way she walks. Paul likes Chinatown's many buildings with pagoda-like roofs and storefronts decorated with dragons and other traditional designs. Chinese characters adorn the signs and street lights look like Chinese lanterns even though they are electric. All the street and store names use Chinese characters, sometimes with English subtitles.

Maria stopped to look in a shop displaying Chinese health remedies like sharks fin. The shop also had a wide selection of aromatic Chinese teas. "This one is my favorite," Maria said, pointing at a large tin container with Chinese writing on the label. The storekeeper came over and opened it so we could smell.

Maria told shopkeeper she would like five-hundred grams. That's about a pound. The storekeeper carefully weighed the tea into a plastic container. Then he wrapped it meticulously in tissue paper and tied it with an elegant string bow. We have lost the art of the purchase.

Maria handed her credit card. Paul noticed when the storekeeper handed it back he held the corners in both hands and handed it to her so it was right side up in her direction. This method of exchanging cards, including business cards, was the accepted protocol in Singapore. Westerners usually just take the card in the fingers of one hand, returning it facing themselves.

Stepping out of the air-conditioned store they felt the intensity of the heat and humidity. The direct sun beat down with its full authority on their side of the street. Paul wanted to crossover to the shady side but Maria stopped at the next storefront window. He had to endure the sweat screaming down his face while she gazed at the display. Wiping his forehead with a tissue stuffed into his pocket for this exact purpose he noticed Maria was sweating too. It was collecting upon her brow but wasn't running yet. The store displayed the latest Chinese fashions. Paul followed her inside the mercifully air-conditioned store.

Maria spoke Chinese to the storekeeper. Paul didn't think Maria was fluent in Chinese but she knew enough to converse in shops and restaurants. English is widely spoken in Singapore but other languages are too. Chinese is the most prevalent, and it comes in handy if you can speak a little.