Today is Friday in Singapore. As my husband pointed out during a phone call, I am living in the future. 
Since last I wrote, we went to a restaurant for Peranakan food.
We had buah keluak, which includes what looks like black rocks, or perhaps some kind of mussel. The woman serving our food showed us that they’d cut the top of the nut open, and that you scoop the center out with your spoon. It is black and the texture quite reminded me of meat. Definitely the most interesting thing I’ve eaten in years. The spices in Peranakan cuisine are unlike anything I’ve ever tried, and quite delicious. It feels like comfort food, but comfort food that is entirely unfamiliar!
Speaking of unfamiliar foods, I had the best thing for breakfast. Aloe vera yogurt. Mmmm. It reminded me a bit of rose lassi, which is one of my favorite things. Delicate and sweet. With little bits of aloe in it. I wonder if I can find it in the US…
Yesterday was the first day of conference. Approximately 200 compensation and benefits and total rewards professionals, primarily from Asia Pacific (with a few attendees from the Americas thrown in for good measure). Everyone seemed happy to be here. I am still astonished by the many accents you hear in Singapore. Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, Aussie and New Zealander, Japanese, Filipino.
And in other fork-related sightings: At break yesterday, the hotel served finger sandwiches. Yup, you guessed it: everyone used forks to eat them. I was kind of chuckling inside, thinking of the Seinfeld episode where people started a fad of eating Snickers bars with forks and knives.
In the evening, we had a networking dinner. One of our keynote speakers suggested that one could do a psychological evaluation of people based on their favorite Simpsons character. And then he confided that his personal favorite is Krusty the Clown. I asked if he would somehow work that into his speech and he said he’d see what he can do.
Tonight we’re going on what is called the “night safari.” Pictures to follow…
Well i see it is good that they were able to wash off the glucoside with water, so all you will make it home safely. Sounds like a blast…
Big question, with the majority being Buddism and Taoism – have you been able to locate the elusive Taoist Temple?
Janet and I were the only ones to eat them, so we were the only ones in danger of not returning.
No, no sighting of the Taoist temple. Janet and I are going out exploring today, so perhaps we can track it down…