Talk about feeling like a complete sweatbox. I can’t imagine how these guys deal with the 88° temperature, 90 percent humidity and the equator sun beating down on them. These landscape workers tolerate the weather with their work outfits made from heavy materials, tall rubber boots, a full head scarf. And to top it all off, a big weed-eater engine strapped to their backs. Uggh… not the best job to be found on Orchard Road.
Workers @ Orchard Road
After a quick walk to the Whampoa market near Balestier, we decided to try eating some fresh durian. Why? Because the fruit represents such a local favorite and it’s been described to me as being “delicious”, “most wonderful” and even “heavenly”. It’s crowned as the “King of Fruits” in SE Asia. How could I resist? But, I did find it difficult to believe once I actually saw, and more importantly, smelled the fruit. Think of the smelly gym socks mixed with an additional non-descript, potent scent. Not so inviting.
But, on to the taste… imagine a mixture similar to garlic, onions and sugar syrup. And all the flavors are very strong. It’s almost bearable trying to eat the fruit with your nose plugged, but I still couldn’t get it down. Too much.
There’s a reason Singapore law bans durian on public transportation, taxis, shopping malls and even hotels.
At least I can say I tried it.
Durian
Durian Fruit Stand
Yuck!
Before moving to Singapore, several people warned me that the government was oppressive and somewhat controlling. During my first six months staying here I haven’t encountered this. Not once. But, perhaps, it’s probably due to the fact I haven’t intentionally sought out content the government deems out-of-bounds.
Tonight, while searching the Internet for an obscure software driver for my old TV tuner card, I ended up visiting one of those websites that serves way too many annoying pop-up windows. As I closed them, I noticed something that surprised me. StarHub, my ISP in Singapore, replaced the pop-up content with a message indicating the original material was restricted. What? Why?
I think this represents the first time I’ve ever been censored. Apparently the MDA (Media Development Authority) believes they know what is appropriate and not appropriate for me to see. While there’s a potential I may find the content objectionable, I still don’t find the need for that decision to be made for me. After reading-up on their organization I learned they tend to censor both violence and sexual themes with the justification that Singaporean citizens are very conservative and censorship of political, racial, violent, sexual and religious is necessary to avoid upsetting the balance of the nation’s delicate, multi-racial society.
Okay.
Why is this upsetting me so much? I’m actually surprised that I haven’t just let it go. It’s not that I need, or even want, to see the intended content in that pop-up window. It’s just that I want to be the one making that determination. Not someone else.
Screenshot of what I saw (below). Notice the recommended browser. What humorous irony that they suggest software that’s over ten years old.
StarHub Censorship
