Hands caught in the honey pot

Singapore celebrated its 43rd year of independence last Saturday.

Everywhere around town, people are going crazy shopping and eating because most retail outlets are having “Special National Day Sales” and restaurants are serving up “Special National Day Set Lunches/Dinners”.

Avoiding the crowd, we decided to go climbing instead. To our pleasant surprise, the patriotic spirit is strong within the local climbing community as well. On the registration counter at the climb gym stood a big honey pot-like jar with a sign that reads: “In celebration of our nation’s birthday, any climber dressed in red today is entitled to a lucky dip in this pot. Exciting prizes to be won!”

The Toe and I weren’t in red that day. We didn’t know. Nobody told us. We stood at the counter, staring at the honey pot…

The Toe: Eh, what prizes do you think are in there?
Frou: I don’t know. But we are not in red. What color are your undies?
The Toe: Blue. Yours?
Frou: (Quick check) Some ali baba colour.
The Toe: Let’s dip anyway.

So she lift the top of the honey pot and I stuck a grubby hand inside. There were many folded pieces of paper. I took one out, unfold it and read out the prize. (“One free water bottle.”) Not particularly impressed, I replace the paper and reach for another one. Before long, the Toe and I started taking turns dipping, reading out prospective prizes and squealing in mock delight.

When the Toe drew a “one day free pass”, she whoop in delight and announced that that takes care of her registration fee that day. From somewhere under the reception table, someone (finally) commented, “ Got so lucky or not?”

We look at each other and meekly peer over the counter. We then replace the honey pot lid and murmur something to the effect of “Don’t mind us, just curious” and slowly slink away from the counter…

Hands caught in the honey pot! Literally....


Later that night (after two bottles of wine), The Toe started singing “community” songs down at the restaurant we were dining in. Something along the lines of “there was a time when people say that Singapore won’t make it*dramatic pause* but we did!”

In vino veritas – she could hardly contain her love for her country. The waiter came over shortly and ask perhaps she might like to go down to the National Day Parade to sing instead....

Happy *Burp* Day, Singapore!