Taco Bell comes to Singapore
24 November 1998 - Singapore
Those of you who are expatriates or who ever been expatriates will probably appreciate this more than those who are not. This is all absolutely true!
It was a quiet Sunday morning in Singapore. The sun was shining, birds singing etc etc.
Those of you who are expatriates or who ever been expatriates will probably appreciate this more than those who are not. This is all absolutely true!
It was a quiet Sunday morning in Singapore. The sun was shining, birds singing etc etc.
There was a buzz in the Hickman home. A different buzz. Almost, a hum of excitement. Showers taken, hair combed, clothes on, keys and wallet in pockets.
Phone call to a friend to see if she would like to join them for THE EVENT OF THE YEAR. Doreen could hardly believe that they would share the moment with her. She was awed that Joe had the pull and connections to get an additional seat to this FIRST OF A KIND EVENT IN Singapore. She ran a couple blocks to the Hickman home, too excited to even wait for them to pick her up en-route. She, like Joe and Gerri, had to get there NOW!
Phone call to a friend to see if she would like to join them for THE EVENT OF THE YEAR. Doreen could hardly believe that they would share the moment with her. She was awed that Joe had the pull and connections to get an additional seat to this FIRST OF A KIND EVENT IN Singapore. She ran a couple blocks to the Hickman home, too excited to even wait for them to pick her up en-route. She, like Joe and Gerri, had to get there NOW!
You could have sliced the anticipation in the car with a knife. The occupants were to too excited to speak. Joe concentrated on the road, Gerri double checking her make-up up over and over again. Doreen in the back seat, biting her tongue and wishing that she had told Joe about the shortcut she had discovered only a few days before but knowing, as an invited guest, she'd best not question which way they went.
Although it was only actually 15 minutes it seems like hours. The last few kilometers crawled by. Doreen couldn't sit still, Joe had broken out in a sweat of anticipation and Gerri just stared out on the road. Searching, searching for the promised destination and wonders awaiting.
Although it was only actually 15 minutes it seems like hours. The last few kilometers crawled by. Doreen couldn't sit still, Joe had broken out in a sweat of anticipation and Gerri just stared out on the road. Searching, searching for the promised destination and wonders awaiting.
They arrived at their destination, they knew instantly that they would have to fight their way in. There were lots of otherexpatriates milling around. The crowd looked ugly!
They couldn't be bothered looking for a parking space in the 10 story garage. They double parked, blocking the exit for several vehicles. They didn't care. They were no longer thinking straight. The FEVER had taken over.
They couldn't be bothered looking for a parking space in the 10 story garage. They double parked, blocking the exit for several vehicles. They didn't care. They were no longer thinking straight. The FEVER had taken over.
Joe took lead. Throwing all 250lbs into the crowd. Clearing the way for Gerri and Doreen who were in hot pursuit. An old lady was pushed to the floor. Gerri contemplated stopping to help her but realized she would lose her place in line, so she, like the rest of the group, simply jumped over her while tossing her a sympathetic look.
The music got louder, the lights were flashing. There were greeters and other people handing out flyers to the milling crowds.
Joe threw his last ounce of strength into the crowd pushing and scratching a pathway to the front of the crowd. The girls stepped over him to get in front.
The music got louder, the lights were flashing. There were greeters and other people handing out flyers to the milling crowds.
Joe threw his last ounce of strength into the crowd pushing and scratching a pathway to the front of the crowd. The girls stepped over him to get in front.
They had made it! They were there! They had arrived!
Joe was too winded to speak. Gerri was screaming violently at a very small child who had dared to get in front of her. Doreen mustered the last bit of strength she had and screamed to the Goddess behind the counter...
Joe was too winded to speak. Gerri was screaming violently at a very small child who had dared to get in front of her. Doreen mustered the last bit of strength she had and screamed to the Goddess behind the counter...
The wait seemed like hours but finally the tray was placed in front of them. Joe threw money at the Goddess not caring about the cost. One couldn't pay too much for this.
They carried They carried tray in unison to a table. Not daring to open anything they simply stared at the contents of the tray. Sort of lusting, almost praying and certainly giving thanks for the 6 regular tacos, 1 burrito supreme, a double order of nachos and 3 cokes that TACO BELL had given them at their first outlet in Singapore.
Life is good, and now, more complete in Asia!
They carried They carried tray in unison to a table. Not daring to open anything they simply stared at the contents of the tray. Sort of lusting, almost praying and certainly giving thanks for the 6 regular tacos, 1 burrito supreme, a double order of nachos and 3 cokes that TACO BELL had given them at their first outlet in Singapore.
Life is good, and now, more complete in Asia!
www.JosephHickman.com