In today's news, I'm at the dorm sick with a stomach bug!! Almost half of the group has gotten sick with a one-day virus, which we now have decided is possibly something contagious, not food poisoning (imagine that). Thanks to whoever in the group got that one first... :) On the bus this morning, I threw myself off at a random stop in one swift motion that ended with me immediately throwing up in a drain next to the stop. But may I say, I love Chinese-Singaporean people! I had people offering me medicine, napkins, cell phones and directions to the student health clinic as I was mid-puke. Not that any of those could've helped at that point, but everyone was so nice.... Since then, almost every ounce of food/substance has exited via one end of my body or the other, and I am feeling much, much better!! The whole event is quite humerous now that's it's over. (I'm sure everyone appreciated that much detail...sorry)
But to recap you on other news...I met up with Yvonne and Andrea, two of Meredith's old Singaporean friends, and we toured Orchard Road (the main shopping district). Their first comment upon meeting me: "Wow, you're really tall....." -- and we've been friends ever since. This is them:
I may host Andrea (on the right) for a few nights when she comes to visit UNC for a month in the fall! This is just one of the malls we stepped into on Orhard Road. It had seven floors, and is not at all the biggest on the street (unfortunately, Singaporeans are all size "unbelievably teeny-tiny," so most clothes don't fit us): 
We went to see "3 years, 8 months, 20 days,"--a 5-man play recounting the lives of 3 women during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. Very artsy production and amazingly powerful. This was the city at night before we entered the play (I love this view!):
We also visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Orchid Garden within it. I have about 500 pictures from this place, but I'll only post a couple. If you ever go to Singapore, this has to be one of your stops. BEAUTIFUL!
Morgan, Hallie and me, above. Halle and me, below.
So I'm sure by this point you're all wondering why I labelled this "I went to Hell on a Sunday Morning." That's because I did. Literally. There's a mainly-tourist attraction about 1 mile from our dorms built in the 1930s depicting the 9 levels of hell, according to Buddhist belief. This was, by far, the most bizarre experience I've had here so far. The thing is, it's HUGE! The Hell part is pretty small, but the rest of the park spreads on and on. It's sponsored by Tiger Balm, a joint cream brand (yes, i know, i said it's bizarre), and is based on various traditional Buddhist beliefs. However, these days most people seem to be amused by it. It's not so much the depictions of hell/punishments that bewildered us, as much as it was the whole DisneyLand atmosphere surrounding it all. The general beliefs may still exist, but the design of the park was just bizarre. This place was ridiculous!!! Needless to say, we had a fantastic time....(and if you think I took a lot of pictures at the Orchid Garden, you should see the mammoth set I took at this place)...
Our small group went with our beloved professors, Howie and Trude. They laughed in amazement too:
Several masks hung around the park. We're not sure the symbolism of them...
Colorful bridges, temples, Buddhas, towers, etc. went on forever. I wonder if most Buddhists appreciate this depiction of their beliefs. From talking to the Buddhist monk a couple of weeks ago, they're very up-to-date and their way-of-life is very applicable to the times. The Singaporean tour guide that initially pointed this place out to us on our first day wasn't very impressed and said it's a tourist attraction now.
Eventually, we reached the 9 courts of hell. Upon entry, you walked through and read a sign explaining the punishment for various crimes in hell. Then a small animated scene would act out the actual punishment. I've placed a few of the most interesting crimes/punishments below. 
(in case it's too small: Rumor-mongers & spreading discord among family members=tounge pulled out. Rapists & Driving someone to their death=thrown into wok of boiling oil.) And here they are in the boiling oil (note: these were in a dark cave and were illuminated by neon green/red black lights inside. They only came out colorful when my flash went off):
Another court.
(Crime: Lack of Filial Obedience, causing trouble for parents or family members & cheating during examinations=intestines and organs pulled out. Harming others to benefit oneself=body dismemberment.)
And the subsequent body being dismembered.
More dismemberment...
Depending upon one's crime, this depiction said that you would go to a different court of Hell. Crimes varied from "mishandling a book," to "rape and murder." In the last court of Hell, after one had received his punishment, he would have the "Wheel of Reincarnation" spun, which would reincarnate him from anything from an insect to nobility.Please understand that not all of Singapore thinks/looks like this. This was the most bizzare place we've been and we just took it all in stride. The fundamental beliefs of punishment in Hell and reincarnation based on your acts in your previous life do exist, but usually not in this manner. Well worth the tour, however.
Well I'm probably going to flop back into bed now and enjoy the time to relax. I'm feeling MUCH better Mom, so not to worry!! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD---and HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY MOM AND SARA!!!! Love you and miss you all.
Wish you could see it with me,
Lizzie
1 comment:
God that is weird. And yet, wonderful! Thank you for the early birthday wishes :) I have much of your blogging to catch up on!
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