Falling in love with Asia again... my visit to Singapore

The first month of country visits has been flying by so fast, and after the next stop in my country visit (Malaysia) it is hard to believe that I would have been on 6 visits! Some of you may not know that I spent 6 years living in Indonesia while I was growing up. My parents were teachers, and I had the chance to live in Jakarta, experience a completely different reality to my own, learn Indonesia and start to even think in Indonesian. While living in Indonesia I traveled to Singapore several times, and this country visit was my first time back in Singapore (at least more than just a transit that is) since my high school years in Indonesia.

Singapore was a little bit different to what I remember it. I recall on one of my journies when I was younger in Singapore that I got in trouble for chewing the gum I had brought from Jakarta, and then become obsessed with all the different fines you can get in the country. This time around I hardly noticed that at all (except for the No Durians sign which I found somewhat amusing after Sharon pointed it out to me). The other thing I associated with Singapore was staying in fancy hotels and spending lots of money. This time around the fancy hotels were out (although I still did spend beyond my budget :P), and I got an amazing chance to see Singapore at least for a little but through the eyes of someone who actually lives there.

I spent a lot of time on University campus' but even though I didn't get to see some of the big sites of Singapore, I had a tremendous time actually interacting with the Singaporean members of AIESEC. I thought that AIESEC International is an unrivaled cultural diverse team experience, but some of these Singaporean LC have the diversity to match. I recall a meeting with the NUS EB where their were people from Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Laos, China... (sorry if I am missing out some nationalities). Studying in Singapore must be a rich cultural experience in itself with international students making up the majority of student populations. I envy the opportunities that Singaporean AIESECers get to have everyday in their LCs, in being able to interact with people from so many different countries (and thats before they interact with the interns!).

The second night I spent in Singapore we went out for food, and I had an awesome time reconnecting with the South East Asian taste. It is true that the rice is really better here than it is in Europe and back home in New Zealand, but even more so was the sate. It is the first time in years I had a chance to eat good sate with real sate sauce, and I absolutely demolished about two plates of the stuff. Dont know what I am talking about? You will have to come and try it for yourself! That same night I played Risk with some of the members of AIESEC Singapore, to be demolished myself and get the honour of being the only person to die in the match that was eventually called off. I made the mistake of trusting an alliance. As some of my fellow Risk players in AIESEC International will tell you, this is probably Charma coming back at me after all the alliances I have broken in the various Risk games we have played!

So apart from great food and losing board games, and getting to interact with so many great people from AIESEC Singapore I also got the chance to meet up with my predecessor as MCP of NZ, Aditi. It was awesome to catch up with her and talk about our times back in NZ. But one of the things I have realised after that discussion is really (cliche sounding I know...) how different my life has become, and how thankful I am for the experience I am having now. I had both great times and challenges in AIESEC NZ which I am greatful for, and now I have the chance to challenge myself even further in my current role, and really connect with the beautiful, amazing, ambitious and incredibly talented people of AIESEC Asia Pacific. It is hard not to fall in love with Asia all over again when I am met with such hospitality, but also people share with me their passions, their troubles, their ambitions, and themselves. One month into country visits I cannot begin to explain how much Asia has taught me, and I cannot wait for the next two months ahead. Combine how amazing visits are going, with my fantastic girlfriend who I adore, and all the friends both old and new I am making, life is simply fantastic!

I better get back to some email responding now before my batteries run out. I am writing from a bus heading toward Kuala Lumpur from Singapore. By the way its probably the most luxurious bus I have ever been on, really comfy seat, they just served me dinner, and also brought up my hot coffee. The only downfall is that there is no power outlet... hahaha... Take care everyone, and for those of you I am visiting soon, can't wait to see you all!

Oh yeah... before I go I havent blogged about this yet but I have to say this! GO WAIKATO! My home rugby team just took out the national competetion back home and I got the chance to watch the last 20 minutes of the game live after a country visit meeting :P. The first time since 1992, so am over the moon and now am looking forward to a kiss ass All Blacks season!