Keeping the track safe
Something felt different at the F1 races this year. It was hot. And I was sweaty!
What a big change from the air-conditioned hospitality suite I enjoyed last year. No matter. I still managed to have a good time. Just, not quite as good.
One bonus. The track location.
Rather than being situated along a random corner, I sat directly across from Pit Lane. Right where all the action happens.
Another bonus. Experiencing all the non-race sights.
I’d like to say sounds too. But, even with earplugs, it was almost deafening at times. So, let’s just stick to sights.
People watching seemed way more fun. The crowd in the grandstands felt more authentic than all the corporate mojos.
A size too big
Watching the pit crews refuel the cars and change the tires was amazing. About twenty people working in perfect harmony for less than ten seconds.
For those of you counting, that’s exactly 29 minutes and 50 seconds longer than Jiffy Lube.
Ferrari pit crew
And watching the people supporting the race was fun too. I can’t believe they weren’t melting in those suits and protective gear. And, I was complaining while wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
Pit Girls
Checkered flag
Mine... all mine.
I’ve spent fourteen months scouring the island for Cherry Coke. Chasing shadows. Following whispers. Tracking rumors.
All leading to nowhere. You can’t find it.
How can that be? There are five million people here. Does no one prefer Cherry Coke? Seriously, people!
Because of this, I’ve been relegated to the lesser Coke. Just the plain old secret formula. Yawn.
I’ve officially given up searching. The rollercoaster ride is over. I’ve accepted my fate.
I even talked to one of the main Coke distributors here. There’s a reason why I can’t find it. Apparently, Singaporeans think Cherry Coke tastes too much like cough medicine. And, it sits on the store shelves.
Cough medicine?
So, there I have my answer. Either I import it myself, or go without.
Luckily, fortune happened upon me this morning. My manager, visiting from Hong Kong, bestowed a charitable gift upon me. Never has a six-pack of Cherry Coke been so valuable.*
*Apparently, I will be receiving Cherry Coke in lieu of stock options this year.
Singapore is known for its many laws. No gum chewing. No littering. No spitting. No forgetting to flush a public toilet. And, so on.
The list is long.
In addition to the moderately enforced laws, you’ll find lots of… shall we say, suggestions.
Don’t enter or you may be shot. Don’t swim here or the polluted water will eat your skin away. Don’t feed the monkeys or they’ll rip your face off.
Okay, two of those were (mostly) fake.
Today we saw a funny suggestion at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. A sign at the top of a not-so-steep hill cautioned visitors not to run.
Umm… okay.
We decided the person who posted the sign must’ve imagined Singaporeans running, slipping and rolling all the way to the bottom. Knocking over people along the way. A trail of bodies strewn everywhere. Bloody noses, bruised limbs, stubbed toes, torn hangnails.
Maybe not the exact image, but that’s how we imagined and laughed about it.
Oh. And, yes, I ran down. Just because they told me not to!
Almost bit it.
I’ve been staying in my apartment for over a year now and every time I leave the building I pass by a variety of beautiful, tropical flowers. For some reason, they always seem to be in bloom. I guess that’s just how it works when you live on the equator.
I’m not complaining. It’s nice.
I’ve often wondered what the flowers are called. Clearly it hasn’t been eating away at me or anything… but, it would be nice to know. So, I finally did something about it today.
A few snapshots and about thirty minutes on the Internet answered my question.
Plumeria
Heliconia
Spider Lily
We have quite a few reptiles taking up residence at our apartment. They’re everywhere. Turtles swimming in the pond, lizards creeping in the grass and geckos crawling on the walls. And, of course, they all take lots of sun bathing breaks.
It never gets old seeing them.
And, I’m sure there are a few snakes, but I haven’t seen them yet. Let’s keep it that way.
Enjoying the afternoon sun
Extra long tail
