Hedgehogs and the best food in the world

 Saturday, August 13, 2022

The swish-swish of the broom scrapes the driveway as the night's leaves are swept away. As I'm packing, I check the shelves in the LR nook. They have filled up with personal treasures. I browse to see if there's a book I want to re-read on our trip.

It was my "best uncle" Erich's birthday last week. At 92, he looks amazing. He still makes his own meals and he's a fabulous cook! Luckily, my mom keeps us connected. He can't hear my voice anymore.

At BIC tomorrow, we'll celebrate God's goodness toward people of all nations and affirm the privilege of living in Indonesia. Set-up doesn't take long.

There will be bracelets to bead (leftovers from 6 years ago, when someone came with a suitcase full of crafts). We'll paint batik and other regional patterns, color flags and draw traditions from home, and make cards to give away. 

We set up the crafts first thing, then meander down the street for breakfast at #NaraPark with our Indonesian kids and grandkids from Jakarta. We hardly see them but each time is a treat. Their girls have grown so much! Nara is a good place for kids to play with the tortoises, pet the hedgehogs, and run on the lawns.

Sunday - International Day/Art Sunday

The leaves are blowing off the trees (as they do twice a year) so it feels and looks like autumn.

I love the annual art Sunday. where people do art while W and I speak. We celebrate our diversity as an international faith community and our common love for God and each other.

W and I catch a shuttle to the Jakarta airport shortly after. There are no international flights from Bandung at this point. The shuttle ride is hair-raising as usual so I read on my phone most of the way.

Meanwhile, a bunch of young adults hangs out on our porch.

Monday

After a night in the Jakarta airport hotel, we check our luggage and have breakfast. Look at the mural of wayang puppets on the wall.

A Muslim group dressed in matching outfits for men and women is headed to the Haj in Saudi Arabia. I'm trying to imagine a Western group dressed alike - maybe matching T-shirts are the uniform of choice?

We're in Singapore for the week. We have a few things to accomplish, besides W teaching a university class. I finish up an online art class - hardly a burden - 

Mostly I have to finish some writing projects. My biggest challenge is writing a 30-Days to Encounter Faith devotional.

Singapore is our destination. It's a unique city-country that values diversity. For example, you can't buy a flat in public housing if the quota of Indian, Malay, and Chinese families is skewed. You have to wait until that missing culture catches up in home buying there ... and then your culture can buy a home.

Everywhere, the eye lands on beauty, natural or created.

You can get to any suburb on the SMRT (city trains). They're clean and quick. To get closer to your neighborhood destination, you hop one of a constant chain of buses.

Saturday

I admire the view behind the reception desk. 

Outside, the monkeys are gallivanting on the hotel rooftop.

We check out - we're off on our 2 feet to a downtown hotel. We'll spend one night there until our hotel has room again. We leave the suitcases  with the hotel while W schleps a heavy load of computers and gear along to the new place.

The room is basic, minimalistic, and clean. The view is more typical for Singapore,  concrete just outside the window. The noise level (we'e across from a fire station) makes me appreciate my construction-rated earplugs.

We walk maybe a mile to Chinatown (a historic district) where it drips and pours. As usual, I have a poncho along and W hauls out his umbrella.

W stands in line for Michelin-Rated food at a hawker stall. We choose the longest lines to find the best food. Singapore has cut-throat competition in food, whether in restaurants and hawker stalls.

It's definitely worth the wait. My spicy noodles and shared spicy dumplings are exquisite.

Parts of the old Chinatown remain. Many hawker stalls and shops we remember have closed during the pandemic.

I treat myself to a stop in a huge bookstore. Oh! so many books in English and other languages. There are whole rooms of novels, plus books on spirituality, history, decor, travel, culture, and children's interests. I don't even get to them.

I'm headed straight for stationary supplies. W's waiting outside so I'm in a hurry. Shopping with someone else is not the same as meandering alone, is it? Still, it's a little slice of heaven.

There are queues outside the luxury stores. Perhaps they have a quota for customers. Singaporeans are accustomed to standing in line for anything worthwhile.

5-Guys Burgers (a splurge while when we're walking and famished) has its own Singaporean touches. You get napkins (unusual for here) but also can use the gloves provided so your hands - and food - don't get dirty.

Every day the skies are interesting and the view is new.

One afternoon, our quick trip to IKEA ends up being miles and miles of walking in midday heat. We detour around a developing neighborhood, which adds a mile or so. 

Waiting a half-hour for a taxi after ("I'm not walking home!"), we meet a couple who are pastors in the city. They know people we know. There are brothers and sisters of faith everywhere.

The most common national bird seems to be the crane (though we spot 11 herons in the trees near the hotel. Their wingspan is up to 2 meters.)

Politeness is encouraged even on recreational sties. 

The garbage is picked up by a one-person truck with a vacuum attached.

The parks are pristine.

We are delighted to meet up with Mimi and CK, friends for over 20 years. They know just where to eat - the food is fabulous, as is the company. We prayed over them years ago ... and they show us pictures of their twins, now 11 years old.

Monday - Week 2

It's a day off for both of us. We meet friends for supper. Usually we stroll from the SMRT terminal to the hotel but they drop us at the lobby.

Singapore has maintained  heritage land. Gardeners plant parks or green spaces everywhere possible. The nearby mangrove forest is a leftover from the original topography. We walk the absolutely level boardwalk over the swamps.

We spot 2 water monitors (lizards 1-2 meters long - see the one below?) We encounter a long thin green snake on the path (which slithers back into the trees alongside the walking path). We also spot a variety of snails - some up to 6" long and watch the pencil-thin fish compete for bugs on the water surface. 

It's restful after the bustle of the city.

There are chickens wandering around. Look out for wildlife predators, you clucks.

There's beauty from morning until night.

Tuesday

While W works, I write newsletters, the book, and a blog. Our friend Lizzie sends pictures of her retiree, coming our way this weekend. Happy girl! Judi's the daughter of Cocoa (who we lost on our hike a few months ago.)

Kathleen, the uni registrar, takes us for Chinese food. Oh ... Singaporeans know what's good. The flight attendants may have to roll us off the plane when we go home!

Read more:

*My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8

*I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

*Paul wrote: I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. 2 Timothy 1:12

Moravian Prayer: God of strength and comfort, we rely upon your steadfast love as a shelter to hide in when life is overwhelming, and as our motivation for the tasks of the day. Thank you for your wondrous grace. 

Life-giving Creator, may we be deeply rooted in your love, growing in your grace, and yielding fruit of the Spirit for a world hungry to know your love and acceptance. Amen.