Expectations

Matt

I had some expectations for Singapore, having seen on TV that it was an extremely developed coastal nation with large skyscrapers and trade networks. Skyscrapers seem to fill half the skyline (though I expected more) and there are more ships than water in the harbour. I feel that dad would love it here, and I wish I had more time and a tripod to be able to capture the place in a way its modern stature deserves. There are malls everywhere, as expected, and they are huge. No $2 shops or Kmarts only Gucci and Prada around here. One thing I did not expect was the heat. I knew it would be hot, maybe like a hot summers day in New Zealand, but this was a whole new level of uncomfortable and time spent 'exploring' mainly consisted of hunting for the nearest air-conditioning.

Next is Kolkata. I'm conflicted over my expectations for our first Indian city. 5 hours away from arrival as I write this I'm not sure what to expect. I remember a conversation with my parents at home about how I felt I was the most prepared for Kolkata out of the boys just because I had a guide book and tend to do some background research prior. I don't know if this presumption is wrong yet but I don't feel as certain about what lies in waiting as I did a few weeks ago. I guess it doesn't help we just had a 40-minute briefing on procedures when we hit the ground in Kolkata. I'm not one whose good at expressing emotions and then putting them to paper but I'm a little worried, mostly about possibilities of lost taxis or baggage not arriving. I do not like leaving life to chance as I prefer certainty. In saying that I have a month to get used to what fate throws at me. I'll talk again when we land in Kolkata.