Singapore struck by festive fever

I've had the sewing machine out lately, so frustrated that I can't even buy a pair of shorts to exercise in unless I shop at a men's store. I found some quick-dry material at Spotlight and after a serious failure with the first pair have now solved the problem. On Friday I gave them a test run on a walk around Punggol Point to Hougang with Heather, Eric was still not feeling like he should exert himself. Other than a problem with the elastic waist, which was soon sorted with a safety pin, they were deemed a success. 
The weekend went by in a rush and on Monday I put them to the ultimate test, in public, up Bukit Timah.  

After the summit 5 trekkers did the full, extended loop while the rest did the usual one. We all ended up together at BT Plaza for lunch. My knees handled it ok but I conceded I needed to see the doctor about the constant pain in my right foot. In the afternoon, hoping she might refer me to a podiatrist or send me for Xrays, she advised was to take drugs and stop walking, avoid standing still for long periods, or carrying heavy loads. I shouldn't ever walk around indoors in bare feet or wear high heels. "Look at your bunions, tsk, tsk". No matter what I said she wasn't listening to me. I'm sure she didn't even hear me say I am training for an attempt on the Everest Base Camp in December! As I wasn't moving until she suggested some treatment she reluctantly referred me to a Diabetics Clinic to be screened by the podiatrist but when I rang for an appointment they told me I couldn't get in until Mar 2015. I tried a Polyclinic in Hougang and I now have an appointment for August 21.

While I was waiting for the appointment I noticed a huge incinerator at the HDB being filled with paper money by a team of Taoist devotees who were working together like a chain gang. There was obviously a particular way to stack the money, much like the way you carefully construct a haystack. The burning of this is believed to translate into great fortune for those ancestors already in the afterlife, presently wandering around enjoying the Hungry Ghost Festival while the gates of Hell are open. The workers welcomed my interest and happily explained what I should be taking photos of. In no time it was full and ablaze. 

 nearly full

 the fridges of the fish shop were used for the food offerings

 Joss sticks and candles

 everyone stood well back once it was alight

In the evening Bev and Peter joined us for a meal here. Eric cooked a delightful curry dinner and Peter contributed generously with bubbles and red wine. Bev slept over to avoid the long train trip back to Jurong. We had planned to watch the movie Tracks, a copy given to us by friends at work, but the night just filled with convivial chat and music so it got too late.

Monday, despite the rainy morning, we incorporated a walk which took us from Tanjong Pagar to Chinatown. The whole place is looking very colourful, what with the current festival and the upcoming 49th birthday celebrations next Saturday. Many buildings are displaying national flags but we were amazed by the size of the one on the top of Pinnacle@Duxton, a modern HDB here. We have bought 'I love Singapore' t-shirts to wear to work since we don't get the day off.

 Can you spot it here?

 How about now?

We happened to pass by a funeral underway in a makeshift pavilion. Attending the funeral rites was a traditional Teochew gong guan drum troupe and Tua Tow (big headed dolls). It was noisy and colourful and I was invited in to take a closer look and encouraged to take photos. These are not really sad affairs as it is believed the deceased are now on their way into the next life.

 Tua Tow

 hearse

The funeral services include the display of filial piety performed though rites and ritual even if this means the family will go into debt. Respect to the deceased is expressed through the burning of paper items and the more one spends the more appeased the dead will be. Favourite things and any personal items thought to be useful (like jewelry) will be included in the coffin. The atmosphere at the service should be noisy, grand and dramatic, hence the presence of the big dolls. To help cover the costs of the funeral mourners may make bereavement donations. It must take place on an uneven number of days after the death as even numbers are considered unlucky, so it is usually day 3, 5 or 7. 

We jumped on a train to Orchard Rd and got lost negotiating our way between the megalithic shopping malls and underground bypasses. Eric came home with some purchases as you do, apparently. We enjoyed left-overs from the night before and watched Tracks which we had both read years ago. We enjoyed the movie, amazing scenery and great drama with very little dialogue. To me though there were other incongruous oversights - like where were all the flies and why wasn't she wearing a hat or at least a scarf as the Afghans did?