That Singapore Flavour

I do feel like I should sign off from Asia, here at 5:44AM at the Hive hostel and trying to pull the all-nighter after some (legit) kareoke with Das and friends before the early Emirates flight all the way "home" to Londontown in a few hours.

Checked in to the flight and ready. Tonight's random microbrew merriment was really a nice capper. I had a whole post in my head about Java and Brodobudur, as I have those pictures long loaded, but never quite sat down to record it. Something about the magic of sitting in those places of historical craziness, knowing there were others, perhaps like you, long lost, and knowing how little easy it is to trace the line back to those munificent creators of spectacle. And how lucky we are that at least some of their endeavour survived the ages for our viewing pleasure. A solid article on some of these points is here.

And then Singapore. What to say? Pictures on the imminent return, obviously. Sunil and Daselin were two exchange students who we welcomed to the Domus Legis with open arms back in 2002-2003, and I still remember the firmness with which I insisted to Mr. Sudheesan that I would someday visit him in his home country, over our last Cuban cigar as the sun rose one Haligonian Spring morning. So, and eerily like with Mr. Yardimci in Istanbul, it took awhile but it was well worth it and the foreign host again lacked for nothing. Though it must be said (and she applauded) that it was Ms. Ang who made sure to call me out to ensure the last night in Asia was a good one, with the liar's dice and songs at the end.

Great to see these fellow lawyers in action, to trade stories and give them ideas for travel as much as they slowly help start my internal preparations for the inevitable return. Three weeks today. Still too much to contemplate, especially when the afternoon is spent on such touristic activities as sipping a much over-priced Singapore Sling at Raffles (the site of its invention, of course). But at least the process has begun.

And so, Asia. As I said above, what to say? "Let's do it, and do it, and do it, and do it, and do it.... again" as the song goes. I hope so. And really, how many days over the past 5 months have I thought, that tonight's going to be a good night? Yes. "And ye shall see it, and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like the tender grass."

Truly, how can any of the next 21 eves disappoint, given this run? I suppose it is the firm task of the remainder to make sure they do not. It may just be a tired mind speaking, but it seems a terribly easy task at that.

OK. Go get your backpack, McMahon. On y va.