Date: 26 Jul 2012
Time: 0945 hrs
Place: inside Tsim Tsa Shui MTR station
(sorf) We were just inside the fare gates when one of a bunch of ladies approached me and asked in Mandarin where the Central Line to Hong Kong was. Someone mentioned a duty free shopping mall. We said we were not sure and told them we were tourists from Singapore.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
From behind pt 2 language 2
Date: 20 July 2012
Time: 0910 hrs
Place: Orchard Boulevard outside Ion
(sorf) I was plugged into my iPod when, from behind, a young Chinese woman with hubby and toddler approached at bus stop. She asked me in Mandarin how to get to Lucky Plaza - told her to cross the road, go through the blue building and cross the road again. And Lucky Plaza is on the right. Then her husband said something in another language and she asked me where's Mount E hospital. So I told her it's behind Tangs. And she asked which one she will get to first Lucky Plaza or Mount E. I told her Lucky Plaza. And that there's a small road next to Lucky Plaza that will lead her to Mount E.
Time: 0910 hrs
Place: Orchard Boulevard outside Ion
(sorf) I was plugged into my iPod when, from behind, a young Chinese woman with hubby and toddler approached at bus stop. She asked me in Mandarin how to get to Lucky Plaza - told her to cross the road, go through the blue building and cross the road again. And Lucky Plaza is on the right. Then her husband said something in another language and she asked me where's Mount E hospital. So I told her it's behind Tangs. And she asked which one she will get to first Lucky Plaza or Mount E. I told her Lucky Plaza. And that there's a small road next to Lucky Plaza that will lead her to Mount E.
From behind pt 1 language 1
Date: 20 July 2012
Time: 0900 hrs
Place: Orchard Boulevard outside Ion
(sorf) I was plugged into my iPod when, from behind, a slightly chubby middle-aged Indian lady in jeans and a sparkly top who came up to me after I got off bus 65 at the bus stop at Orchard Boulevard. She had quite a strong accent and was looking for Toys'R'Us. It took me a couple of seconds to figure out how to get her to Forum Galleria. Told her to cross the road and keep walking to the end.
Time: 0900 hrs
Place: Orchard Boulevard outside Ion
(sorf) I was plugged into my iPod when, from behind, a slightly chubby middle-aged Indian lady in jeans and a sparkly top who came up to me after I got off bus 65 at the bus stop at Orchard Boulevard. She had quite a strong accent and was looking for Toys'R'Us. It took me a couple of seconds to figure out how to get her to Forum Galleria. Told her to cross the road and keep walking to the end.
Friday, April 27, 2012
SMU-th sailing
Date: 27 Apr 2012
Time: 2139 hrs
Place: near Bras Basah MRT
(sorf) Was walking to long escalator at Bras Basah station when a young girl came from behind and touched my sleeve. She was wearing jeans, a baseball shirt, cap and backpack. She said "excuse me is this the exit to SMU?" I said yes and she said thank you.
Time: 2139 hrs
Place: near Bras Basah MRT
(sorf) Was walking to long escalator at Bras Basah station when a young girl came from behind and touched my sleeve. She was wearing jeans, a baseball shirt, cap and backpack. She said "excuse me is this the exit to SMU?" I said yes and she said thank you.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Hubba hubba
Date: 24 Apr 2012
Time: 1500 hrs
Place: Macdonald's Anson Road
I was walking around avoiding the drizzle when I saw a brown-skinned man in shirt and pants asking an old uncle squatting on the roadside directions. The old man tried to be helpful but had never heard of the place. Just as I thought I was walking out of reach, he came to me and asked me where Anson House is. I saw that he had a map (a Google Maps printout) so I asked him to show me where he was trying to get to on the map. I had to re-orient the map 180 degrees and then I pointed to him down the road the building with the work "HUB" written on its side, showed him where that building was on the map, then told him it was the next building. He thanked me and walked off quickly.
Time: 1500 hrs
Place: Macdonald's Anson Road
I was walking around avoiding the drizzle when I saw a brown-skinned man in shirt and pants asking an old uncle squatting on the roadside directions. The old man tried to be helpful but had never heard of the place. Just as I thought I was walking out of reach, he came to me and asked me where Anson House is. I saw that he had a map (a Google Maps printout) so I asked him to show me where he was trying to get to on the map. I had to re-orient the map 180 degrees and then I pointed to him down the road the building with the work "HUB" written on its side, showed him where that building was on the map, then told him it was the next building. He thanked me and walked off quickly.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Just going to the casino to take a look...
Date: 23 Mar 2012
Time: 1005 hrs
Place: Bras Basah MRT
I was plugged into my headphones waiting for the train when an old man walked up to me and started yakking. I took off my headphones and realised he was asking directions. He was in an orange shirt and pants and sandals, probably 70 years old, and was accompanied by a lady in her fifties, who looked a bit lost and didn't speak a word. He was walking with the aid of a cane. He asked me in Mandarin (couldn't place the accent. Was he from Thailand? He looked Chinese, she looked Thai) how to get to the casino in Sentosa. I explained to him that he needed to take the train one stop to Dhoby Ghaut and change to the North East Line, otherwise it'll take really long if he went via the Circle Line. I got on the train with them and got off and walked him all the way to the North East Line platform and had to explain to him several times that he needed to get on the Sentosa Express at Harbourfront and to ask for directions there. He said he was just going to the casino to take a look and not to gamble because he had no money. He also asked a few times how to get to Chinatown and I told him he could get off two stops down if he wanted. After he seemed more assured he thanked me several times and I left them at the platform to go on my way.
Time: 1005 hrs
Place: Bras Basah MRT
I was plugged into my headphones waiting for the train when an old man walked up to me and started yakking. I took off my headphones and realised he was asking directions. He was in an orange shirt and pants and sandals, probably 70 years old, and was accompanied by a lady in her fifties, who looked a bit lost and didn't speak a word. He was walking with the aid of a cane. He asked me in Mandarin (couldn't place the accent. Was he from Thailand? He looked Chinese, she looked Thai) how to get to the casino in Sentosa. I explained to him that he needed to take the train one stop to Dhoby Ghaut and change to the North East Line, otherwise it'll take really long if he went via the Circle Line. I got on the train with them and got off and walked him all the way to the North East Line platform and had to explain to him several times that he needed to get on the Sentosa Express at Harbourfront and to ask for directions there. He said he was just going to the casino to take a look and not to gamble because he had no money. He also asked a few times how to get to Chinatown and I told him he could get off two stops down if he wanted. After he seemed more assured he thanked me several times and I left them at the platform to go on my way.
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Womanpower
Date: 07 Feb 2012
Time: 1410 hrs
Place: Opposite M Hotel
I was waiting to cross the road when a short Filipino lady wearing t-shirt and shorts came up from behind me and asked me how to get to Ministry of Manpower. She showed me a letter from a stack of paper inside a clear plastic bag with the address "7 Keppel Road". I had no idea exactly where (as the only office I knew was at Havelock Road) so I looked it up on my iPhone and then directed her to walk down the road towards the viaduct, turn right, and walk another ten minutes or so, and expect the building to be on the left. She thanked me and walked off quickly.
Time: 1410 hrs
Place: Opposite M Hotel
I was waiting to cross the road when a short Filipino lady wearing t-shirt and shorts came up from behind me and asked me how to get to Ministry of Manpower. She showed me a letter from a stack of paper inside a clear plastic bag with the address "7 Keppel Road". I had no idea exactly where (as the only office I knew was at Havelock Road) so I looked it up on my iPhone and then directed her to walk down the road towards the viaduct, turn right, and walk another ten minutes or so, and expect the building to be on the left. She thanked me and walked off quickly.
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Morning come fragrance
Date: 05 Feb 2012
Time: 0940 hrs
Place: Junction of Rochor Road and Victoria Street
I was drenched in sweat in the middle of my morning run, waiting to cross the road and plugged in to my earphones when a short Filipina walked straight towards me and started talking to me. I took off my earphones and she told me she needed to meet her friend who was staying at Fragrance Hotel at Bugis and asked if I knew where it was. It took me a while to think about it until she mentioned that her friend told her that it was on Middle Road, at which I directed her to walk down Victoria Street to the junction and turn left at Middle Road and that the hotel is on the right side of the road. She thanked me and walked off, still looking confused.
Time: 0940 hrs
Place: Junction of Rochor Road and Victoria Street
I was drenched in sweat in the middle of my morning run, waiting to cross the road and plugged in to my earphones when a short Filipina walked straight towards me and started talking to me. I took off my earphones and she told me she needed to meet her friend who was staying at Fragrance Hotel at Bugis and asked if I knew where it was. It took me a while to think about it until she mentioned that her friend told her that it was on Middle Road, at which I directed her to walk down Victoria Street to the junction and turn left at Middle Road and that the hotel is on the right side of the road. She thanked me and walked off, still looking confused.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Lost at home
Date: 23 Jan 2012
Time: 1100 hrs
Place: home
(sorf) I got asked things twice today. I was walking to the pool when a girl called out after me from the gym door, wanting to know how to turn on the aircon. I told her to bring her own remote control with her. Then, at 2pm, some Spanish guy asked me the time.
Time: 1100 hrs
Place: home
(sorf) I got asked things twice today. I was walking to the pool when a girl called out after me from the gym door, wanting to know how to turn on the aircon. I told her to bring her own remote control with her. Then, at 2pm, some Spanish guy asked me the time.
Saturday, September 03, 2011
Wherefore Hor Fun? Because I also want!
Date: 03 Sep 2011
Time: 1153 hrs
Place: Hong Lim Food Centre
We were enjoying huge lunch when a lady asked me where to get the prawn Hor fun. I told her at the extreme right stall 40
Time: 1153 hrs
Place: Hong Lim Food Centre
We were enjoying huge lunch when a lady asked me where to get the prawn Hor fun. I told her at the extreme right stall 40
Monday, August 08, 2011
Do you know the way to good tau hway?
Date: 08 Aug 2011
Time: 0951 hrs
Place: Prinsep Street
(sorf) Was at corner of the triangular building where Mr Bean cafe is near the slip road and typing on my phone when this tall soft-spoken Chinese man in his 30s in bermudas and t-shirt approached me and said "Excuse me do u know where the famous tau huay is?" Told him to go straight and cross the road it's on the right in the row of old shophouses. He said thank you!
Time: 0951 hrs
Place: Prinsep Street
(sorf) Was at corner of the triangular building where Mr Bean cafe is near the slip road and typing on my phone when this tall soft-spoken Chinese man in his 30s in bermudas and t-shirt approached me and said "Excuse me do u know where the famous tau huay is?" Told him to go straight and cross the road it's on the right in the row of old shophouses. He said thank you!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Let me in!
Date: 10 Jul 2011
Time: 2131 hrs
Place: Outside Sunshine Plaza
(sorf) A young Indian delivery boy with a pack of food asked me how to get into the residential area. I told him to go to the corner and the security guard will let him in. He never thanked me `_´
Time: 2131 hrs
Place: Outside Sunshine Plaza
(sorf) A young Indian delivery boy with a pack of food asked me how to get into the residential area. I told him to go to the corner and the security guard will let him in. He never thanked me `_´
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Looking for "peace"
Date: 21 May 2011
Time: 1117 hrs
Place: Sunshine Plaza (drycleaners)
(sorf) I was chatting with laundry girl when a Chinese man, very tanned complexion, a monk in an outfit with red cotton pants came in muttering. Took us a while to realise he was asking for directions because his Chinese very accented. He wanted to find someplace in Peace Centre.
Time: 1117 hrs
Place: Sunshine Plaza (drycleaners)
(sorf) I was chatting with laundry girl when a Chinese man, very tanned complexion, a monk in an outfit with red cotton pants came in muttering. Took us a while to realise he was asking for directions because his Chinese very accented. He wanted to find someplace in Peace Centre.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
I ask you from behind you
Date: 27 Apr 2011
Time: 1942 hrs
Place: Dhoby Ghaut MRT (Circle Line)
(sorf) I'm standing in front of the map of the MRT stations when a thirtysomething Filipino woman in a short sleeved frilled blue top and carrying shopping bags came up behind me and said "Excuse me I'm going to Suntec which stop do I get off?" Told her Esplanade and pointed to the map. She said thank you.
Time: 1942 hrs
Place: Dhoby Ghaut MRT (Circle Line)
(sorf) I'm standing in front of the map of the MRT stations when a thirtysomething Filipino woman in a short sleeved frilled blue top and carrying shopping bags came up behind me and said "Excuse me I'm going to Suntec which stop do I get off?" Told her Esplanade and pointed to the map. She said thank you.
Friday, April 01, 2011
The long and winding road... to the hospital
Date: 01 Apr 2011
Time: 2043 hrs
Place: Nassim Road
I had been on a jog and was along Nassim Road and was just about to hit Orchard Road again when a car pulled up to me and the man inside rolled down the windows and asked me where Gleneagles was. Initially I was confused as I thought he could just cut through Tanglin, before I remembered that that was a one-way road and it would be difficult to explain how to get to the Orchard Boulevard side, so I just told him to head back where I came from and turn left at the Botanical Gardens entrance. He thanked me. Hope he managed to get there quite quickly as he looked really quite lost on that dark road.
Time: 2043 hrs
Place: Nassim Road
I had been on a jog and was along Nassim Road and was just about to hit Orchard Road again when a car pulled up to me and the man inside rolled down the windows and asked me where Gleneagles was. Initially I was confused as I thought he could just cut through Tanglin, before I remembered that that was a one-way road and it would be difficult to explain how to get to the Orchard Boulevard side, so I just told him to head back where I came from and turn left at the Botanical Gardens entrance. He thanked me. Hope he managed to get there quite quickly as he looked really quite lost on that dark road.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
They all go to central
Date: 17 Feb 2011
Time: 1959 hrs
Place: Toa Payoh North
(sorf) Had just crossed the traffic light and was headed for the Braddell train station when a short auntie dressed in a black t-shirt and skinny pants and wearing round glasses and wedge sandals ran up behind me, pointed to the bus 232 in front of us and asked in Mandarin, "Can please tell me if this goes to central?" I said I don't know and she muttered to herself and I walked off to take the train.
Time: 1959 hrs
Place: Toa Payoh North
(sorf) Had just crossed the traffic light and was headed for the Braddell train station when a short auntie dressed in a black t-shirt and skinny pants and wearing round glasses and wedge sandals ran up behind me, pointed to the bus 232 in front of us and asked in Mandarin, "Can please tell me if this goes to central?" I said I don't know and she muttered to herself and I walked off to take the train.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
To the Caucasian bridge!
Date: 02 Feb 2011
Time: 1846 hrs
Place: Dhoby Ghaut MRT station (NS line)
(sorf) I was standing in the train station talking to my dad and this woman in a red shirt and slightly walleyed came up form behind me to ask, in Chinese, "Go to Ang Mo Kio take which train?" I told her the correct train so now she's sitting next to my dad waiting for train.
Time: 1846 hrs
Place: Dhoby Ghaut MRT station (NS line)
(sorf) I was standing in the train station talking to my dad and this woman in a red shirt and slightly walleyed came up form behind me to ask, in Chinese, "Go to Ang Mo Kio take which train?" I told her the correct train so now she's sitting next to my dad waiting for train.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Yes you can get there by foot
Date: 23 Dec 2010
Time: 2031 hrs
Place: Little India MRT Station exit
I am jogging with headphones plugged into my ears and obviously trying to move steadily when, just outside of the Little India MRT station exit, a skinny, young, Indian woman wearing a black dress and with blonde hair, smoking a cigarette, comes right up to me and asks where KK hospital is. I jog on the spot and point to the left telling her it's where you can see the blue lights (and the big sign) and then she asks whether she can walk from here. I told her yes and jogged off, and she still seemed unconvinced as I left.
Time: 2031 hrs
Place: Little India MRT Station exit
I am jogging with headphones plugged into my ears and obviously trying to move steadily when, just outside of the Little India MRT station exit, a skinny, young, Indian woman wearing a black dress and with blonde hair, smoking a cigarette, comes right up to me and asks where KK hospital is. I jog on the spot and point to the left telling her it's where you can see the blue lights (and the big sign) and then she asks whether she can walk from here. I told her yes and jogged off, and she still seemed unconvinced as I left.
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Lost and found re-ward?
Date: 08 Dec 2010
Time: 1040hrs
Place: National University Hospital
I was on my way from the A&E building to the foodcourt when an auntie and uncle asked me in Chinese whether this is the main building. I looked at the signs and told them yes. Then I asked them where they were going and they said Ward 62 and I found a sign for a Wards 20 to 63 and pointed them that way.
Time: 1040hrs
Place: National University Hospital
I was on my way from the A&E building to the foodcourt when an auntie and uncle asked me in Chinese whether this is the main building. I looked at the signs and told them yes. Then I asked them where they were going and they said Ward 62 and I found a sign for a Wards 20 to 63 and pointed them that way.
Monday, November 08, 2010
The Chaser
Date: 08 Nov 2010
Time: 1907 hrs
Place: Dhoby Ghaut MRT
(sorf) Got asked or rather chased for directions. Was walking from NS line to the Plaza Singapura escalator and this petite middle aged auntie was chasing me from behind going xiao jie xiao jie. I didn't realize until she knocked on my bag and then on my arm that she was chasing me cos I was listening to my BBC podcast on headphones. She asked in Chinese how to go to Orchard so I told her have to take escalator to NS line. She didn't thank me.
Time: 1907 hrs
Place: Dhoby Ghaut MRT
(sorf) Got asked or rather chased for directions. Was walking from NS line to the Plaza Singapura escalator and this petite middle aged auntie was chasing me from behind going xiao jie xiao jie. I didn't realize until she knocked on my bag and then on my arm that she was chasing me cos I was listening to my BBC podcast on headphones. She asked in Chinese how to go to Orchard so I told her have to take escalator to NS line. She didn't thank me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)