Seen In Singapore: Cute Toy At Bus Stop - I want one - how to find it

Singapore Flag.

Cute Toy At Bus Stop. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Waiting for a bus might not be your number one fun activity. However, this toy provided me with a permanent smile whilst I waited. 

I was at the Tampines Interchange. I wonder if I could copy the image and do a search on the internet to find a match and learn what the toy is and where you can buy it. 

I should have asked the woman where she bought it. But my bus came along.

I know you can search for products or try to identify plants and animals.

I found camfind.

https://www.komando.com/apps/338508/search-for-a-product-online-simply-by-taking-a-picture-of-it

Text talk for pick ups

When you are a pedestrian being collected by a friend who has a car, you need to arrive first. It saves time if you know which exit to take from the station.

I had lots of offers while waiting by a bus stop for my friend to collect me - offers mainly from taxi drivers!

I texted briefly that I had arrived at the designated meeting point. My driver replied:

Otw= on the way

Angela Lansbury

What Impressed Me at a Singapore School?

Problem
We have a meeting at a school. I imagine it will be run down and depressing. Hard to find and reach?

Answer
Not at all. A bus stops outside. We are out in the rain between the gatweay and the front entrance. However, the covered path from the front entrance to the school building at the back has open sides but a roof as protection against sun and rain. Along the side of the open-sided corridor created, is a wavy line with historic photos and cpations explaining the history of Singapore and the school and all the inspiring pioneers and people and pupils.

Upstairs in the corridor is a panel of grammatical tips for good English, tongue twisters, common errors by Singaporeans, sentence structure.

Photo by Angela Lansbury.

In the audiotrium, the seats have swivelling trays so you can rest your notepad and pencil. The stage, of course, has a screen for audio-visuals. Up the side aisles, on the walls, are posters with inpsiring messages and sayings, quotations, from famous people.

Outside, turning in the opposite direction another wall has the history of common objects.

The school was in the East of Singapore near Bedok MRT (railway station).

What an inspiration. Not just artwork, but fascinating facts.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

Check directions when travelling

Problems
The Place was not where you expected. You arrive half an hour late.
Your friends arrive late.

Answers
Ask for directions and a map.
Memorise the directions in case you lose your phone or Internet connection.
Take photos of where you left your car.

Stories
This month I have noted three travel direction mishaps and one lucky escape.

1 I went to a condo. I had printed directions. I went past the bus stop. A passer by pointed across the road. I went into a huge condo with a similar name and asked for the conference room. It was in another distant block. I went there. Nobody there. I returned to the gate. I was in the wrong condo.

2 A friend has left her call on level two of a car park.  After a half hour hunt we find the car in a car park which has levels 1 and 1a. And 2 and 2a.

3 Tree nearby condos are called hazel, cashew
and chestnut. Turn right and walk uphill. Easy.
- but the station has two exits. The big exit is at the front by the escalator. The small one is at the back by the lift (elevator you would say in the USA).

4 in Singapore I was going to visit IBM offices at Changi business Park. While getting direction on the phone I said, "changi mrt (railway) station?"

No ! - it was Expo station.

Confession: whilst writing this blog on the train I was so engrossed that I missed my stop!

Angela Lansbury,  travel writer.

Angela Lansbury,  travel writer.

Embarrassing Moments in Malaysia

Problem
How do you get directions in Malaysia if you don't speak Malay.

Answer
Get directions from your hotel or the internet in advance.

Stories
My most embarrassing moments in Malaysia:
My first trip - in the streets most people walking past or standing around are men. But when I go up to somebody with a map to ask for help they all run away.

Why? Is it because they don't speak English? Are my sleeves are too short? Do I smell funny? Are they totally prejudiced against people not wearing Muslim outfits?

I spent a depressing day. I could not get directions. Made no friends. Didn't speak to anybody all day. Felt alone, and unpopular.

Back in the hotel, my family, on business, explain: Men don't speak to strange women in Malaysia. In some states of Malaysia they could get arrested for fraternising with women who are not relations. They don't think you are a prostitute touting for business. They know you are a tourist. They just don't want to be seen talking to you.

Problem
So how do I get directions?

I discovered the solution, what works, by trail and error.
1 Ask the server at a restaurant or bus station ticket office (who is safely protected from you behind glass and his work is dealing with strangers of both sexes). Get them to write directions on the map and circle your destination.
2 When standing at a bus stop or taxi queue, speak to the woman of an adjacent couple, asking for help. Both she and her escort, whether her husband or brother or colleague, will speak to you and help you.

Author
Angela Lansbury, author and speaker. See my books on Lulu.com and Amazon. Read my posts, share and follow. Terimah Kasih. (Malay for thank you.