arrested? damnnn

the last six days have definitely been a blur...with all the orientation stuff going on and classes having started this monday, its definitely been hectic. but, in the middle of all that, i've still managed to explore the island a bit more each day, which im definitely happy about. the more and more i learn about this place, the more it really seems like its a very normal sort of place. not too much different in some aspects than bombay or new york, really. its got its nuances, but then again, what city doesnt? the one thing i did notice is that public transport is definitely big here. the bus and subway systems are really really good, and very well used. not to mention air conditioning in all of it, so if nothing else, its a reprieve from the blazing temperatures during the day.

on a separate note, it took barely a week for one of us exchange students to have a run-in with the law here in singapore...didnt say i didnt see it coming, but this soon? dammmn. sooo we were in a HUGE department store, the size of three or four targets or walmarts, and one of our friends (who will hereby be adressed as P) was looking at some lipstick. all of a sudden, P is taken into the security room on the grounds that she shoplifted. now, nobody that comes into this country is ignorant enough to not know how strict the law is here, so obviously she wasnt actually shoplifting. so, she calls me up, crying frantically about how she scared and doesnt know what to do, which is exactly what i'd do if i got into a situation like this. me and another dude run upstairs to find out what's happening, but they dont let us see her for at least a half hour or so, and not without a significant amount of badgering. eventually we see her, she's in shambles, confused as all hell about her situation. eventually, after an hour or so, some guy comes out and explains whats going on, and it sounds so ridiculous, but what can we do? me and one of our friends wait there for her while the others leave, the officers said they had no clue how long it could possibly go. eventually, a total of two and a half hours into this deal, she comes out in cuffs...and all of a sudden im pissing myself. they actually arrested her, she was arrested in singapore, and put into a cell for about four hours before she calls us from the police station at 1 in the morning saying that she is free to go, but has to go back the next day to find out if they're pressing charges. that was at least a relief, that she didnt have to sit there overnight...and on the eve of classes starting, no less. upon going back, she finds out she was acquitted, and all is well. either way, crazy start to what im sure is going to be a crazy semester. cheers, to Singapore!