February 12th, 2009 - I 've been in Singapore for the last day and a half although it seems much much longer. Staying up for 36 hours tends to have that effect. I am really only here to get a longer visa so I can avoid a legally suspect monthly renewal in Bali. This one will be good for two months and will be renewable each month for another four. Yippee.
I am staying in a hostel for about $15 a night and, as you might expect, you get what you pay for. Dorm rooms, shared bathrooms (as in males and females), small toilets (taking a shit is nothing short of a circus performance), air con only at night, and usually a crowd in the kitchen area. It could be worse and it is only for a short time. The real positive is that you get to meet many people you would not normally meet. Last night I tossed a few drinks back with an American teaching English in Borneo and an Irish lad on his way to work in Australia. Can't find that at the Sheraton.
I did manage to get my visa in a cloak and dagger-esque fashion. I had to meet my 'guy' under the red umbrella at the MacDonalds next to the Hilton. Sounds shady but I guess it is legit (Author's note: Not really). At least he wasn't wearing a trench coat and carrying a briefcase. I suppose an office is just too much overhead, especially in a city as expensive as Singapore. That and what do you need an office for when you merely need to bribe the folks at the Indonesian Embassy and meet some dipshit willing to pay twice the price under the red umbrella at MacDonalds? I am that dipshit. However, keep in mind that when you factor in the normal three to five day waiting period at the embassy and lodging it works out about right. They know this. Wily.
