In the Footsteps of Somerset Maugham
Saturday 02 August 2008
Sunday
the 3rd of August in Singapore
In
January of 1947 my grandmother, on her way to the
mission field of India, traveled through the harbor
in Singapore. At the time she was 8 months
pregnant with my dad. Thus, I am the third
generation in the Warkentin line to have been in
Singapore as a precursor to a major life event, and
even though I am going to the Olympics, my story
pales in comparison to my predecessors. (My
Grandmothers trek to India is, without a doubt, the
greatest adventure story I’ve ever heard.) I
called my Grandmother the other day (she’s fascinated
that I can call on a wireless computer from Singapore
to California) and let her know that I may have
walked on the same streets that she walked over 60
years ago.
I spent Wednesday and Thursday between the hotel and the pool and didn’t venture into the city. Preparation for the 10K race on August 21st (airing on August 20th in the evening in America) is going well. I’m at the maintenance point of my training so there isn’t much to report from the swimming end of things. All is well in the water.
Thursday was also preparation for skit night. (Every first-time Olympian must get together in groups of about 5 and perform a funny skit for the team). My character in the skit was John Naber (former Olympian now working as an NBC broadcaster) and I shaved my face – save the mustache – to get into character. I got a few compliments on my impersonation but I felt like I hit a double when I really should have hit a home run.
I had Friday morning off from practice so I decided to do a bit more exploring of Singapore. I studied the subway maps, researched local favorite spots, prepared a plan and embarked at 6:30 am. The first stop was Little India which was a huge mistake because Little India is on the same schedule as every college fraternity in America - Friday doesn’t really start until about 11 am. I wandered the desolate streets looking for action and adventure but found nothing but the smell of curry.
I then went to the harbor and took a cable car ride, over the ships and activity of the harbor below, to a small island with bursting with lush vegetation. Santosa Island is somewhat environmentally protected (no skyscrapers) and visitors can enjoy a day at the beach. I took a few pictures of the Merlion and then went back to the mainland in search of Raffles Hotel. For a Western visitor the Raffles Hotel is probably the single most popular destination point in Singapore. Birthplace of the Singapore Sling and famous for the refined and polished custom of afternoon tea, the location is steeped in history. Built in 1887 and named after the modern founder of Singapore Sir Stamford Raffles, the Raffles Hotel has been THE place for dignitaries and socialites traveling through Singapore. I ventured upon the hotel as a sweaty, shorts and t-shirt wearing tourist. It was one of the rare times in my life that I was truly embarrassed of my attire. My outfit cheapened the experience (and ruined the décor of the hotel) and I vowed to return dressed more appropriately later on that day.
When I got back to my hotel I searched my wardrobe for the most outrageously over-the-top high-society outfit available, discovering that the ensemble in the attached photo was the perfect selection. The sweater vest, given to me for the Olympics by the USOC, combined with the pants and shoes that will be worn for the opening ceremonies, is so obnoxious that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I went back to the Raffles Hotel confident that I would add to the scenery of sophistication. (The walk and subway ride to get from my hotel to the Raffles Hotel was rather humorous because I was essentially wearing a Halloween costume).
Unfortunately I arrived too late to participate in the afternoon tea, but I wandered around the hotel lobby and courtyard and got a picture taken in the historic Billiard Room. I also went to the Long Bar (located in the Raffles Hotel), site for the creation of the Singapore Sling. As a member of the USA Swimming Olympic Swim Team I am bound by an honor code not to consume any alcoholic beverage until after the Olympics, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity completely so I ordered the famous drink virgin style. The drink was tremendously overpriced at $15, considering it consisted primarily of ice, sugar and syrup, but this may be my only time in Singapore and as the local saying goes: “Where else should one partake of the Singapore Sling but at the Raffles Hotel."
mdw
I spent Wednesday and Thursday between the hotel and the pool and didn’t venture into the city. Preparation for the 10K race on August 21st (airing on August 20th in the evening in America) is going well. I’m at the maintenance point of my training so there isn’t much to report from the swimming end of things. All is well in the water.
Thursday was also preparation for skit night. (Every first-time Olympian must get together in groups of about 5 and perform a funny skit for the team). My character in the skit was John Naber (former Olympian now working as an NBC broadcaster) and I shaved my face – save the mustache – to get into character. I got a few compliments on my impersonation but I felt like I hit a double when I really should have hit a home run.
I had Friday morning off from practice so I decided to do a bit more exploring of Singapore. I studied the subway maps, researched local favorite spots, prepared a plan and embarked at 6:30 am. The first stop was Little India which was a huge mistake because Little India is on the same schedule as every college fraternity in America - Friday doesn’t really start until about 11 am. I wandered the desolate streets looking for action and adventure but found nothing but the smell of curry.
I then went to the harbor and took a cable car ride, over the ships and activity of the harbor below, to a small island with bursting with lush vegetation. Santosa Island is somewhat environmentally protected (no skyscrapers) and visitors can enjoy a day at the beach. I took a few pictures of the Merlion and then went back to the mainland in search of Raffles Hotel. For a Western visitor the Raffles Hotel is probably the single most popular destination point in Singapore. Birthplace of the Singapore Sling and famous for the refined and polished custom of afternoon tea, the location is steeped in history. Built in 1887 and named after the modern founder of Singapore Sir Stamford Raffles, the Raffles Hotel has been THE place for dignitaries and socialites traveling through Singapore. I ventured upon the hotel as a sweaty, shorts and t-shirt wearing tourist. It was one of the rare times in my life that I was truly embarrassed of my attire. My outfit cheapened the experience (and ruined the décor of the hotel) and I vowed to return dressed more appropriately later on that day.
When I got back to my hotel I searched my wardrobe for the most outrageously over-the-top high-society outfit available, discovering that the ensemble in the attached photo was the perfect selection. The sweater vest, given to me for the Olympics by the USOC, combined with the pants and shoes that will be worn for the opening ceremonies, is so obnoxious that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I went back to the Raffles Hotel confident that I would add to the scenery of sophistication. (The walk and subway ride to get from my hotel to the Raffles Hotel was rather humorous because I was essentially wearing a Halloween costume).
Unfortunately I arrived too late to participate in the afternoon tea, but I wandered around the hotel lobby and courtyard and got a picture taken in the historic Billiard Room. I also went to the Long Bar (located in the Raffles Hotel), site for the creation of the Singapore Sling. As a member of the USA Swimming Olympic Swim Team I am bound by an honor code not to consume any alcoholic beverage until after the Olympics, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity completely so I ordered the famous drink virgin style. The drink was tremendously overpriced at $15, considering it consisted primarily of ice, sugar and syrup, but this may be my only time in Singapore and as the local saying goes: “Where else should one partake of the Singapore Sling but at the Raffles Hotel."
mdw
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