After yet another restless night – shared ideas for Winsome’s new business until late and as I was about to fall asleep Luc strolled in. Took an hour to get him back to his bed, we struggle to get up. Quick breakfast with Katie and Winsome and then off to the airport. Winsome and Katie is staying another day and we will meet up with them in Singapore tomorrow.
We end up behind an Afrikaans man in the immigration line and then Luc kept the conversation going in the waiting area. Turns out that the he is the “dominee” from Potch Dutch Reformed Church, on his way to a conference in India, where they will discuss the Evangelical mission for Maldives. Ended up having an incredibly interesting conversation with him and he shared much about what he discovered by talking to the prostitutes in Patong. Very sad to hear the other side.
The immigrations man in Singapore is so friendly. Tells us about all the Nigerians who come here with fake SA passports – I tell him to see District 9! We take the airport shuttle to the Mitraa – a very funky looking hostel from the outside! The staffs are stunning, they run out to help us with our bags – and end up carrying the heavy bags up 3 flights of stairs.
They give me their phone to phone the Travelex company to sort out my missing Travel Credit card (the call is about an hour) and then directs me to the closest Western Union to collect some emergency travel funds.
We have a small little room with enough space for a double bed. Luc is not impressed – immediately wants to go to other hotel – I just hope Katie and Winsome will survive this! We have a shared bathroom at the other side of the hall…
We venture into Race Course Road to find the Western Union. It is close to the Little India district and looks very much like downtown Jburg. We finally find the Western Union and get money – by now it is 5 and Luc is very miserable. We walk through very dodgy looking streets to find somewhere to eat. Discovers an Indian market – with no food. Ventures deeper into the streets – just to realize we have left the borders of Little Indian. Gets a Portuguese custard cake and some water and sits down to “regroup”.
Finally we are in the right road and we discover interesting Indian shops full of all sorts of things. Once we manage to get over out SA fears – we actually start to enjoy the people and the sites. We end up in the Little Indian Shopping Centre – more like an under cover market. Amazing site – full of colorful linen, bracelets, saris and amazing things.
Luc stop for a henna tattoo and I get Callie some silk ties and a pachmina. Shame, the lady in the shop tries to sell me some more stuff – so I told her that my card is lost and I have very little money. After paying for my things, I ask her where we can eat local, cheap food. She directs us to a food court and then gives us each an ice-cold bottle of water!!! Such kindness – or perhaps we looked so desperate!!
The food market is really local. We order from a really nice man who is very friendly. Decide to try the Roti and stew and tea with condence milk. This is great! Luc is still hungry and we order Nasi Goreng – uggh this is revolting! We take it as a take-away, which we dump as soon as we hit the street!
The main street looks incredible – the whole street decorated with lights in preparation for the Festival of Lights. We stop at a curio shop to get Luc a cheap watch and some handbags.
Back at the Mitraa I tried to update our blogspot – gr1eat spot on veranda outside. Jack introduces himself to us – he was the person who responded to my first email. The staffs are really very friendly and great. It is now 10.30 and we are going to hit the bed. A big day tomorrow.
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