Beltane Solstice Moon
The two ex-pats nodded knowingly at each other as they discussed returning to the U.S. for visits from their home’s abroad. Mark said, “Yes, I walk down the hall at the motel and people move aside.” Mary said, “Yes, I now what you mean exactly.” Mark continued, “It’s the nuances. I understand the signs here. I don’t have to communicate with sign language.” Again Mary agreed, but added, “Still, when I come back, there are also things that are strange.” She talked about a time when she needed to call me to tell she had gotten delayed, but could no longer find a pay phone. But they both agreed, Mary from Singapore and Mark from his motel in Coon Rapids, that there was a feeling of comfort at being in the home culture.
Mary says the pollution in Singapore is bad enough to make breathing difficult. Loggers in Indonesia burn the forests, then the smoke crosses the Straits to reach this fortunately air-conditioned nation. When Singaporeans and Malaysians complain to Indonesia, the Indonesians point that the companies which own the forests and do the clear cutting and burning are owned by Malaysians and Singaporeans. Meanwhile, many people wear masks or stay inside. With little wind during the hot summer months it’s unclear how long this pollution will be around. It began last Friday.
(Singapore yesterday)
Mary also reports that dengue fever, also known as bone break fever, has infected 10,000 already this year as opposed to 5,000 last year. This has lead officials to declare dengue hot spots, marked with red circles, in which there have been ten or more cases. In those hot spots mosquito control will come into your home and check for mosquitoes. We know about mosquitoes, but not dengue fever, though West Nile virus is here.
(sand storm, Riyadh)
In response to a question Mark said that sand storms create similar problems to the haze in Singapore, with respiratory illnesses increasing.
The ex-pat life.