I Think Therefore I Eat

I gained 10+ pounds after my 3-day stay in Singapore. The months of selective diets and mini-exercises have been erased in a matter of hours. Who can say no to the eye-catching, delicious-smelling and abundant-servings of foreign cuisines right before your eyes? It was never part of the plan to eat this much, but this thing of beauty is too good to pass, so I’ll take it anyway!


My first taste of Singaporean food came from 99 Food Stall right at the side of Hotel Peninsula Excelsior where our group is staying. According to our Indian Tour Guide, Singapore’s Chicken Rice is a meal to die for, and one has to check this out to have a feel of what Singapore cuisine can offer. There are about five food outlets in at 99 offering different cuisines from Korean to local Singaporean dishes. From the posted pictures of dishes with Mandarin text and English Sub-titles, I searched the posters one-by-one looking for something that says “Chicken Rice”. After awhile, I saw one at the corner of the first stall from the second entrance. It’s past 12 noon already so there were other people in line waiting for their queue to get their Chicken Rice serving. When my turn came in, I told the guy at the opposite end of the counter that I wanted a Chicken Rice and he replied 3 Dollars.


Second serving of delicious smorgasbord Singaporean Cuisine came dinner time at the Grand Park City Hall Hotel. There were about 6 dishes served highlighted by a Steamed Salmon with a special Sauce, Sea Food Kebab and other dishes I didn’t bother to know the name but I’m sure they were all delicious. I had a plate full of those menus (no exemptions) and a bowl of soup as I went back to the convention room. I think something’s wrong with my taste buds in Singapore, nothing seemed to taste bad back there.


The third serving came from another eat-all-you-can breakfast at the Peninsula Excelsior Hotel! Enjoying our first night (or should I say morning since we came back at the Hotel around 2:30am already) sleep, me and my room mate were awaken by a call from a friend at the other room inviting us to go check the breakfast being served at the Hotel Lobby. Sensing another buddle fight, we hurriedly fixed ourselves and proceeded to the level where bountiful breakfast awaits our half-hungry appetites. The chicken sausage and their brewed coffee is one of the best!


Fourth, fifth and almost eternity of Singaporean foods came one after the other. I had to try everything that came my way. I have totally forgotten all of my dietary regiments, after all, tomorrow can be another day to start thinking about diets, not now. I also had the luxury of time to try the Korean Shabu-Shabu like food at 99. Priced at 4.50 Singapore Dollars, I had my sweat coming in all forms with their spicy sauce!


I was also tempted to taste Mc Donald’s but I passed on the last minute. In my mind, there are also lots of Mc Donald’s outlets in the Philippines. I’d rather spend my extra food dollar in something the Philippines cannot offer. Starbucks Coffee is also tempting but the price equivalent is just outrageous. Venti-sized cost 7 Singapore Dollars or 230 Pesos. Venti at any Philippines Starbucks is just about 175 Pesos!


I gained too much pound back in Singapore. The real challenge of getting back in “shape” again starts now. Everything has its corresponding price; good thing slimming down is never an issue in the resources-deprived country of ours.