Yukiko was in Singapore today, and kindly made space for me in her busy schedule! We met at Raffles Place (somewhat similar to Tokyo in Japan) and had a talk over lunch at the Coffee Bean. I had, on a whim, suggested a place with somewhat more Singaporean flavour, complete with the sights and sounds (especially sounds) of Singaporeans talking at normal volume (read: very loud) over lunch. This was, on hindsight, not the best idea I have had in my life.
We very quickly got down to business (read: I asked questions in rapid staccato, and Yukiko took it all in her stride), and then the conversation turned towards more general things. I seem to recall the conversation turning to the weather somewhere along the way. This is inevitable in Singapore, because a thunderstorm can and will interrupt any conversation one may be trying to have at any time. Singaporeans have thus adapted by pre-emptively talking about the weather before it strikes, just to get it out of the way.
After lunch Yukiko had to leave for NTU, which was all the way on the west side of the island (read: 30 minutes away.) I left quite gratefully with a much better idea of what to expect in Japan.
Thanks for lunch, Yukiko!
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I've never been to Singapore, but definitely want to go sometime. It sounds like a unique place. Us Brits just love to complain about the weather, but compared to you guys we probably have it easy.
ReplyDeletep.s. A pre-emptive Merry Christmas & happy New Year!
The main impression I have of English weather is gray skies and hail, and me having chapped lips during winter, so I'm sure you have plenty of reason to complain about the weather as well. I am beginning to think that it might not be such a good thing for us both to start a conversation on the subject though!
ReplyDeletep.s. And the same to you! How are you spending Christmas?