Wednesday was a public holiday to celebrate the Festival of Eid, known in Singapore as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a period of sober repentance for Muslims, with approximately 30 days of dawn-to-dusk fasting. Adherents of the faith also devote much of the month to worship, charitable deeds and acts of compassion. The annual Hari Raya Light Up of the street takes place in Geylang Serai but many pop up bazaars are placed all over the heartlands. One of the highlights of the festival is seeing many Malay families in Singapore wearing colour coordinated new clothes in the same hue – men in loose shirts with trousers known as 'baju melayu' and the women in 'baju kurung', a loose-fitting full-length blouse and skirt combination like this family we bumped into under the HDB opposite.
For Muslims the day begins with a trip to the mosque where special prayers are recited. Then extended families and friends gather in their homes to enjoy home-cooked feasts which are likely to include Malay delicacies such as rendang, satay, and curry. Another traditional Malay food that is often seen in the stores and served during Eid festival, is ketupat. It is made with rice wrapped in woven palm leaf pouches then steamed and is best eaten with the rendang gravy or satay sauce. They often feature on the cards and signage.
We had a slow morning at home then roused ourselves in the afternoon to meet up with some friends at Sque in Clarke Quay. This will be our last long weekend as workers in Sg. A few colleagues got away but it seems many were a bit travel weary and just happy to spend it in town.
I spent 4 hours at Tan Tock Seng Hospital on Thursday morning having my troublesome knee investigated. I was able to arrange an appointment with the same specialist as in 2013 within just a week. He sent me for xrays, bloods and an mri all one after the other. So efficient here. Meanwhile, Eric went for a walk from home but got caught in the rain.
I returned the next morning for results and follow-up treatment which included an injection of monovisc into the knee capsule. I had one of these in my right knee back in 2011 and it was very successful so here's hoping. I do appreciate that to have treatments like this once we are home could take weeks of waiting so I really can't complain about the hours spent in the Pearl Clinic of TTSH. Besides, the place is more like a hotel foyer than a hospital as we know them, with up to date journals and free coffee and snacks. Eric and Peter went for a walk together along the canal from Paya Lebar to Promenade but if they hadn't run for about 60 m they would have got seriously wet along the way. Once again it rained heavily, but not for long.
So now, with a grease and oil change in the joint (so to speak) I'm off and running. Well nearly. I got through the afternoon at work and managed the full 2 days of the weekend but was weary at the 'Beginning of Term Dinner' held at Wine Connection in Cuppage. Unfortunately we were seated at barrels on bar stools which really didn't work for me so I didn't stay long. Eric put in a good showing on our behalf, one of the last to leave as usual.
On Monday, while the walkers went out in the rain, Eric went back to TTSH for his regular check up and the good news is the Dr was very happy with his results so doesn't need to see him again. I went for a swim in the rain and when Eric came home he caught me limping. I can't decide if I'm limping because I need to still or it has just become a habit after about 6 weeks. We had a delicious lunch together then began planning our next holiday. I've been quite undecided about visiting Japan; not at ease with their view of women, their view on whaling and the building of nuclear reactors on the Pacific Ring of Fire. On the other hand Eric is really keen and all our friends who have visited insist we should go as it is so different to other Asian cultures. Also, we have a connection in Yoshi, who stayed with us for about 3 months when we were living in Cobram. He was assigned to Cobram Consolidated to bring Japanese culture into the LOTE Program that they were running. So, despite my state of quandary, we are on our way to meet up with him in Tokyo.
In the evening we walked down to Saturday House to be joined by a few others. Michael is due to fly back to Australia early in the week so it was our last chance to catch up with him, after which the boys indulged in the shared whiskey supply that resides on our lounge room shelf.
For Muslims the day begins with a trip to the mosque where special prayers are recited. Then extended families and friends gather in their homes to enjoy home-cooked feasts which are likely to include Malay delicacies such as rendang, satay, and curry. Another traditional Malay food that is often seen in the stores and served during Eid festival, is ketupat. It is made with rice wrapped in woven palm leaf pouches then steamed and is best eaten with the rendang gravy or satay sauce. They often feature on the cards and signage.
I spent 4 hours at Tan Tock Seng Hospital on Thursday morning having my troublesome knee investigated. I was able to arrange an appointment with the same specialist as in 2013 within just a week. He sent me for xrays, bloods and an mri all one after the other. So efficient here. Meanwhile, Eric went for a walk from home but got caught in the rain.
I returned the next morning for results and follow-up treatment which included an injection of monovisc into the knee capsule. I had one of these in my right knee back in 2011 and it was very successful so here's hoping. I do appreciate that to have treatments like this once we are home could take weeks of waiting so I really can't complain about the hours spent in the Pearl Clinic of TTSH. Besides, the place is more like a hotel foyer than a hospital as we know them, with up to date journals and free coffee and snacks. Eric and Peter went for a walk together along the canal from Paya Lebar to Promenade but if they hadn't run for about 60 m they would have got seriously wet along the way. Once again it rained heavily, but not for long.
So now, with a grease and oil change in the joint (so to speak) I'm off and running. Well nearly. I got through the afternoon at work and managed the full 2 days of the weekend but was weary at the 'Beginning of Term Dinner' held at Wine Connection in Cuppage. Unfortunately we were seated at barrels on bar stools which really didn't work for me so I didn't stay long. Eric put in a good showing on our behalf, one of the last to leave as usual.
On Monday, while the walkers went out in the rain, Eric went back to TTSH for his regular check up and the good news is the Dr was very happy with his results so doesn't need to see him again. I went for a swim in the rain and when Eric came home he caught me limping. I can't decide if I'm limping because I need to still or it has just become a habit after about 6 weeks. We had a delicious lunch together then began planning our next holiday. I've been quite undecided about visiting Japan; not at ease with their view of women, their view on whaling and the building of nuclear reactors on the Pacific Ring of Fire. On the other hand Eric is really keen and all our friends who have visited insist we should go as it is so different to other Asian cultures. Also, we have a connection in Yoshi, who stayed with us for about 3 months when we were living in Cobram. He was assigned to Cobram Consolidated to bring Japanese culture into the LOTE Program that they were running. So, despite my state of quandary, we are on our way to meet up with him in Tokyo.
In the evening we walked down to Saturday House to be joined by a few others. Michael is due to fly back to Australia early in the week so it was our last chance to catch up with him, after which the boys indulged in the shared whiskey supply that resides on our lounge room shelf.
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