Feb 18, 2006
One of the best things I have done is started this blog! I was recently one very rare statistic in Singapore—my laptop was robbed! Some creep lifted it from the coffee shop in the building I work. If caught, I am sure he will suffer a great sentence, so I feel he has much more to loose from his actions that I did. How funny is the police department who sent me a letter saying that he still isn’t caught, but they are trying. With my laptop gone, so are all my memoirs and pictures of my entire on goings since I arrived in Asia. This blog that I share with you is now the only record I have!
To celebrate 2006, I was in Koh Samui, and was blessed with the presence of Kerry who was visiting from New York! We had a good group, and we took a crazy boat ride to an even crazier island to bring in the New Year. Sorry, no pictures—but I can tell you that the pole dancing, celebration, daily massages… not to mention the wonderful hotel… made it a fantastic way to bring in 2006. This was a great follow up to a heart-felt whirlwind visit to NYC --- I was thrilled to be home, even with the transit strike… I kept thinking “who lives in Asia? Not me!”
This wonderful festive season was followed up by celebrating Chinese New Year, which just ended last week. To celebrate this year of the Dog, I went to Hanoi with my friends Sue and Melissa—those pictures I managed to salvage from my camera, not yet downloaded to the computer! Vietnam was a thrill, the people were friendly, and the town was a madhouse with the New Year. We got to see the Hanoi Hilton, the old jail that is now a museum. The propaganda describes how horrible the French were when they ran the prison and captured the Vietnamese, while it proudly shows how benevolent the Vietnamese were when they captured US pilots. John McCain was here the final year the prison was in operation and his picture, along with other prisoners is on the wall.
Last weekend here in Singapore was Thaipusam, which I don’t really too much about. It has something do with a Lord Siva and a Lord Murugan who try to expel demons of evil that plague the world. Thaipusam is an act of painful body piercing penance and Lord Morugan makes sure individuals feel no pain or bleeding, and that they heal with no scars. In this festival, they pierce their cheeks with long steel rods that are about a foot long, from one side of their face, through the mouth and out the other cheek. Another spear goes through their upper lip, tongue, and lower lip, so they cannot speak. They also carry a decorated Kavadi (the big metal decorated thing around them) which is supported by wire threads that are pierced in their chest and back. Where there is so much famine, natural disaster and high mortality that plague a region, faith is extremely important and taken seriously. The participation in this festival marks the depth of their faith, and if they bleed or feel pain, they are considered unfaithful. What a test!!! The loud music, and cheers from the crowds must fill their minds. It reminded me of the NYC Marathon!
No matter what trips I make, they don’t beat being in New York’s biggest snowstorm on all of recorded history!! How I loved the pictures some of you sent. I felt I was there… Mano-mano--- I could use a good snowday!!
Love you lots, and remember, write to me direct to my account, not the blog, individually!
