My experience in Singapore

[Luci@]

I don't know where to post this. I figured this might be a good place since this section of the forum is quite active.

So, I visited Singapore in 1998 -- I know, a long time ago, but my memories of that visit are as vivid today as they were right after the trip.

I was born and raised in Eastern Europe, in Romania to be exact. One day, I saw on t.v. an add announcing discounted trips to major cities around the world, includin New York, Calcutta etc....and Singapore!! I was 12 at the time and I had no idea what Singapore was! I went to the library and did some research on it -- mind you, I did not have internet at that time. After learning a little bit about it, Singapore became my dream. In fact, I would go to the library and copy information from books into a notebook I used to carry. I even had a friend of mine who was talented in drawing, draw the map of Singapore in my notebook. I used to check butterflies in my stomach everytime I'd hear news about Singapore on t.v. - and I still do to this day.

Fast forward five year later and my parents supported a trip to Singapore. They have made my dream come true! I was just a teenager travelling by myself to Singapore.

Since I had no internet at the time, I contacted my country's embassy in Singapore and spoke to the consul about my upcoming trip. He asked how many people was I travelling with! I said that I was by myself -- he reserved a hotel room for me -- I made myself a flag of my country for him to recognize me and this is how we met at Changi! With him came a gentleman who was half Romanian but lived in Singapore for many years. They gave me such an warm welcome! After two days at the hotel, this person let me stay at his house for 2 weeks! This meant free accomodation and staying at a great location in Singapore -- on Stevens Road. I met his family and friends, and went places with them around Singapore. I had such a great time there! To this day this is still the greatest time of my life.

Unfortunately, I've lost contact with this person and although I could possibly e-mail him, I am not sure if to do it. It's been a very long time, yet I want to follow-up with an e-mail/contact him. Will this be too strange to do after all this time? We stayed in touch for a while, but then lost contact. I want to return to Singapore one day and if I do, I want to be able to talk to this person. Will it be strange if I sent an e-mail after all this time? Knowing your perspective would help since you live there and know the etiquette.


Thanks!
Luci@

[SGBoyxxx]

nice ....

hmm why you lost contact with that person ?

[Luci@]

nice ....

hmm why you lost contact with that person ?

it's one of those things that i need to improve on...i did not e-mail him after a while. he'd e-mail cards for the holidays - christmas, easter-- and i did too, but then stopped.

[nakatago]

Hn. This sounds like a plot from some movie.

Anyway, just email the person--explain how things went the way they did and what you want to do about it now.

It'll be a pleasant surprise for him.

Really, all this sounds like I've seen or read somewhere

[Luci@]

Really, all this sounds like I've seen or read somewhere [/quote]


I don't know about that, but I can tell you how I felt when I got there. It felt as if I was there before -- sort of like deja vu experience -- I felt as if I visited the place before even if I never did. It was strange -- a good kind of strange. For a while, I thought about writing a book about my experience

[x9200]

Will it be strange if I sent an e-mail after all this time?

I would say not at all, but just use your common sense to not leave the impression that you are contacting him after all these years just to have free accommodation during your next visit. A bit delicate situation.

[Luci@]

Will it be strange if I sent an e-mail after all this time?

I would say not at all, but just use your common sense to not leave the impression that you are contacting him after all these years just to have free accommodation during your next visit. A bit delicate situation.

A no, that's not my intention. I just sincerely want to get in touch with the person and if I visit again be able to have a conversation.

[nakatago]

Not to sound harsh or anything but...

SEND HIM EMAIL.

You will never know what he feels about it until you do.

Here's a now famous, albeit simplified, analogy (thanks to the Big Bang Theory):

Schroedinger's Cat was a famous thought experiment proposed by quantum physicist Erwin Schroedinger. He proposed that a cat and a sealed vial of poisonous gas be in turn sealed into a sound-proof, air-tight, x-ray/MRI/ultrasound-proof opaque box. The vial of poison can be broken by the cat which, of course will kill it.

So, how do we know if the cat is still alive or dead? Since the box is closed off, there's no way of knowing what's going on inside it without
opening it. Until we open the box, we can say that the cat is both alive and dead at the same time. The only way of knowing for sure is to open the box.

Same for you. You won't know how this person will feel about you making contact again until you actually make contact.

My advice: open the box.

[xtasy010]

Send the email, people love to hear from old friends, isn't that one of the reasons sites like Facebook are so popular.

[tanusa]

Luci@, this is a very nice story. I agree with the others. Send him an email. I'm sure he'll be happy to hear from you. He obviously thought highly of you to be so open and welcoming during your trip and to keep in touch afterward. It's understandable to loose touch with people over time. I know there are a few people I would love to get back in touch with. I'd be thrilled if they happened to find me and send an email. It's possible your friend would feel the same way. Go for it. And let us know what happens.

[ksl]

It felt as if I was there before -- sort of like deja vu experience -- I felt as if I visited the place before even if I never did. It was strange -- a good kind of strange. For a while, I thought about writing a book about my experience

I too had that experience, it cemetery! Quite amazing really, it was picture perfect in my mind.

[carolynW]

I am the thick skin type, send him an email, am sure he will be happy to hear from you!

Anyway I think people here are quite warm and friendly. So far I have contacted various long lost friends, with less of a good story than yours.

You are not afraid of rejection are you? doubt people here are like that esp when its a blast fm the past.