Most essential tool? Not surprisingly, my phone.
The mobile phone is a lifeline for getting things done here in the Red Dot. Over the past ten days, I have used my phone apps to: scan into countless buildings and stores for contact tracing in the event of COVID exposure (Safe Entry); reserve tennis courts at our condo complex (iCondo); schedule housecleaning services (Send Helper); book a ride (Grab); purchase a lamp from a French expat (“Real Singapore Expat Wives” FB group – yes, it’s a thing and yes, I’m a member) and arrange contactless delivery from her doorstep to mine (Grab Delivery); pay the handyman (PayLah!); order groceries for delivery (Prime Now, part of Amazon.sg); and read the local news (Straits Times).
But to dig into the local vibe, get the the satisfaction of seeing and touching fresh produce, and chatting with the “aunties” who mind their goods, nothing beats the early morning wet market. All over Singapore, wet markets and hawkers centers form the neighborhood hub. Wet markets are large collections of open-air stalls selling fresh seafood, meat, flowers, fruits and vegetables. As opposed to dry markets, which sell hard goods such as clothing, electronics and housewares.
The Empress Road Market and Hawkers Center is adjacent to our condo complex. This morning I headed over to buy some produce, orchids and croissants. Indispensable for the trip is a shopping trolley, to haul your goods back home.
It’s best to arrive by 10am, as the stalls are shuttered by noon. The hawkers center is basically a food court that serves a variety of local dishes. These are open all day. Around the periphery of the main market are other small shops, convenience store, veterinary clinic, bakery, butcher, Singapore Pools where you can purchase your lottery ticket, and playground for the kids who live in the surrounding Empress Road HDB (housing development building). HDBs are subsidized public housing flats for Singaporeans, although expats are also permitted to leave here. (Don’t be fooled by the term public housing; they can be quite nice and certainly more affordable than condo complexes.)
I came back to our place to find the neighbor’s sons had posted a sweet Happy Halloween sign for “Mr. Tom,” one of their favorite people (naturally)!
Maybe in my next entry, I’ll start incorporating standard British spelling just to show off my further assimilation into our neighbourhood and life in this colourful country.
Here are a video and pics from the morning.
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