Oh man, that 14-day SHN...

This past week is my 1 year anniversary of leaving the United States to start my journey in South East Asia with Hilton.

The promise and excitement of travelling this part of the world, experiencing the unique cultures, food, and people has all been slightly delayed with the events of the past year. However, with these past events didn't come without surprises in a most difficult year.

Near the end of October, I received the unfortunate news from my sister about my mom and her health. It was a critical time for work - as most of you have experienced time and time again - projects were nearing completion and we were getting close to the holidays. It wasn't exactly the best timing, but family comes first. I am very blessed about the tremendous amount of support from my colleagues, friends and family that were patient and understanding so I was able to get on the next flight out to Florida knowing it was such a sensitive time.

Back to America

Flight booked, packed up, and not too happy with the COVID situation in the United States, I headed to the airport after getting as best as I could in Singapore. Keep in mind, Singapore has been very strict with COVID and have put in place rules and laws to minimize the impact of COVID. Although the COVID situation in the United States was a mess, I feel that if they weren't so nonchalant about COVID, then it probably would have limited my ability to come back to see my mom. Changi was depressing - shops that were opened a year ago when I landed, the amount of people moving about, the noise of travelers and shoppers - all gone. I board the plane heading to Japan, all 8 of us, and politely let the flight attendants know that I will most likely just sleep the whole way, please leave some water, and they are more than welcome to watch Netflix on my iPad. Landing at Narita, the Japanese government has strict rules in place to ensure that if you weren't legally allowed in Japan, you didn't try to get into Japan. Asking if I had a boarding pass for my next flight, I replied with Nihonjindesu which from Google should mean "I am Japanese" and the faces they had were as if they had seen a ghost. Shuffling their papers, trying to figure out what happened, how could this person slip through and then I showed them my passport and boarding pass and they had a sigh of relief and started laughing - I'd like to think that gave them a bit of a uplift to a relatively slow day. The other passengers on the bus ride laughed - nothing like the American attempting to speak Japanese. It seemed to lightened the mood up a bit and these super nice ladies from Japan Airlines escorted me the security connection and to my gate as I waited for my flight to Dallas.

It was great to be back, the United States of America, a bit of a homecoming but it wasn't for the best reasons or on my timeline. I was here to see my mom, be with family, and support as much as I can knowing how crazy 2020 has been. Getting through security, customs, somewhat interrogated about the amount of Singaporean snacks I brought back, and finally let go to get on to my next flight. American Airlines did a good job on ensuring people were wearing masks, standing apart as best as possible and did what they could to get everyone to their destination. I grabbed some Chick-fila as my first real American meal, couldn't stand it as my taste buds have changed a bit after being in Singapore and headed to my gate to get to Jacksonville.

Hospital Life, Road to Recovery

There were a lot of ups and downs that week that I landed. The team at UF did a great job in bringing my mom's health back. There were times where we didn't know if that was it and as the week went by, my mom's health improved drastically. This has been the first time in my life where I felt that my parents could be taken from you. I have been very lucky to have my mom and dad to talk to each day. It's crazy how life works because before my sister called, I spoke to my mom the day before and nothing was out of the ordinary. We talked about my niece, what's going on, and saying our loves and goodbyes to talk later. Seeing a loved one in that vulnerable state, unable to do anything but to be there for them, is tough. As time passed, my mom got better and I learned a lot about our healthcare system. The respirator came off, feeding tube out, physical therapy started, moving from the bed to the recliner and back, walking around the hospital, eating more and more solid foods, and of course complaining about the food. The anxiety and scare you get going from it's bad, you need to get on the next flight out to she's getting better, and it's a long road to recovery is a rollercoaster of emotions all within a week. The time I was able to spend with my mom and my family was the most important. You learn a lot about yourself and the people around you during your toughest times. My mom is doing well, she no longer requires a walker, is eating healthier thanks to the support of my sister, nurses and nutritionists, is taking care of her vitals and numbers, and continues to improve each day while working with the doctors to reduce the meds she has to take going forward. It's been a wild and blessed few months.

As I sat with my mom in her hospital room, talking, and working throughout the day while listening to the election coverage, my mom kindly reminded me that I moved to Singapore for a reason. She was getting better, we were working on the process of leaving the hospital, post hospital life, and although she wanted me to stay, she also understood that I needed to get back and it was time to get my work done as I committed (and one of the main reasons I was able to move to Singapore). Let's not forget the possibility of exploring Asia and maybe the Olympics. So, I sent the note out, gave the time I wanted to fly back, and waited for the approval. As I am an Employment Pass (EP) here in Singapore, the request has to come from my employer and then you are given a grace period. In my case, since I was coming from the US, it had to be timed appropriately as the travel time is a factor. Upon arrival in Singapore, I would have to serve a 14 day Stay Home Notice (SHN) at a hotel that is randomly selected. I do not get a say on where I get to stay, it is all based on the luck of the draw. There are YouTube videos of people describing their stay all from the Conrad to the Ritz to the Grand Hyatt to Sentosa - it is truly random - I just hoped it was going to be nice. Keep in mind, the cost is roughly $2200 SGD or $1700 USD to come back to Singapore and go through this process. This includes the 14 days, meals provided 3x per day and the COVID test. This was all out of pocket.

Returning to Singapore

As the approval came through, I had to ensure I had a few things ready before my arrival in Singapore. Trying to get a PCR test result back in the United States within 72 hours of travel after Thanksgiving was near impossible. Taking the test wasn't an issue, but the results were a completely different story. Without the results in hand prior to checking in my flight, this would potentially cause a re-approval of my entry and additional costs. The approval letter gives a grace period of 3 days, however, coming from the US, travel time alone covers a day of that grace period. Being overly cautious, I was staying with my dad in San Antonio and took a PCR test prior to my flight back in Dallas within the 72 hour window, flew to Dallas, took another PCR test in Dallas and just hoped to get my results back in time. Met some friends on Saturday night and viola!, results from both came back negative. I was all set for my return.

Before heading to the airport that Monday, you will need to ensure you have a few things before you get to Singapore to serve the 14 day notice. I went ahead and bought the following:

Thermometer *Required
Vitamin C, D, B12 Tablets
Tylenol
Snacks
Baby Wipes / Kleenex (Travel Version)

Arrive at the airport and begin the onslaught of requests for paperwork by Japan Airlines. As Singapore is very strict on travel and those that are arriving, they had to ensure that I was legally and lawfully able to disembark in Singapore otherwise, they would have to fly me back. They validated my PCR test, boarding pass, employment pass, identification and finally was able to go through security. One last touch of American soil, and the taste of those very delicious and terrible for you McDonald's fries (fries are absolutely awful in Singapore) and off we go to Singapore.

After a quick layover in Japan, we are landing in Singapore. I met some Americans that were in the military on the plane as their duty station was Singapore for roughly a year. They were in for a bit of a culture and COVID shock - the Singapore I knew a year ago, was definitely not the same as it is today. We finally land in Singapore and we are ushered towards immigration. We are escorted the whole way and I finally speak to the immigration officer. Provide the paperwork, validate your PCR test, and then I am handed a yellow sticker. I see some have other color stickers and then I start to wonder... is the yellow sticker going to allow me a nicer SHN hotel? All joking aside, it's all random. They don't let you know the hotel you will be staying at until you arrive at the hotel.

We have our stickers, we wait outside the baggage area, people are gathering their luggage, check in with our stickers and wait. It's about an hour after we land, and we are escorted to the bus to take us to the hotel. Not knowing what to expect, the bus is somewhat full, we finally end up at the hotel. We are segregated off from the rest of the hotel population, allowed off the bus, escorted to a separate lobby with seats available, meters apart with water and information about the 14 day stay. One by one we are asked to come up and check-in to the hotel. It is 2-3AM at this point, everyone looks exhausted, and any sort of question that doesn't involve getting our keys faster is becoming more annoying.

Keep in mind, the Singapore government WILL provide you a link to pay the SHN Hotel cost and the COVID test. This is NOT required to be paid until a few days after but you should pay as soon as you can once you land and are settled. I chose not to pay right away because there was a risk to not arrive on time. If I didn't arrive on time, then I would have to pay twice anyway. It's very strict but understandable. When I got into my hotel room, settled down, that is when I would pay the price of the hotel and the COVID test through the link provided. What happens, is that the hotel is then going to petition the government for the payout. This was a couple months ago and I am not sure if the policy has changed, however, the hotel did ask for the full payment of the hotel on top of the government requiring me to pay the full price along with the COVID test. It's a bit of a miscommunication, misdirection and did cause confusion with some of the people checking into the hotel.

The hotel did ask to pay the full amount, plus any incidentals. If this was a normal hotel stay, then no problem, that's the way it should be. However, since the government has a link that MUST be paid, then there is no reason for the hotel to ask you to pay the full amount. The incidentals, in my case, was roughly $700 to cover additional costs such as laundry. It was roughly 3AM, I didn't have the patience for it and I let them know that I am not paying the $2700 on top of the actual $2200 to the government. Too much to chase down during this long journey. They were very kind about it and asked that once I paid the government to please send over the copy by email. This was an easier way to handle the situation.

Countdown Begins

As I got settled in my room, the countdown to the 14 days has begun. The next morning, I was greeted with food at my door, taking my temperature, and waiting for instructions about the Homer app that the Singapore government has procured to track your temperature, you, and your SHN days left. Once installed, the Homer app runs 24/7 as you are required to have it running along with taking a picture, submitting your temperature and answering health questions.

For those that have to serve an SHN here in Singapore, I suggest you do the following prior:

Download Grab, Food Panda, Deliveroo

These food services can be used to deliver food to the SHN Hotel. The hotel staff will deliver the food outside your door. They are very kind. I stuck to using Grab as it was easiest for me and they also had services to go to the grocery store.

Write down your temperature for the first couple days on the notepad

I wasn't able to get the HOMER app until day 2. It wasn't required, however, keeping in the rhythm of taking your temperature, at certain times, was extremely important.

Download Lazada, Amazon

I was very fortunate that I could order a laptop from Amazon. I spent a lot of time playing Minecraft with my niece and getting back to coding. 14 days was a long time, this is a bit of an extreme, but I needed something to pass the time. I also ordered a few other things as well to make this a home away from home.

For loved ones or friends that will be serving a SHN here in Singapore, I suggest you get them the following:

Order them food every once in a while or cook for them to deliver directly to the hotel front desk. I cannot thank enough the love and support I received from colleagues and friends while I served my 14 days. The boba tea deliveries, the lanzhou beef noodles OMG!!, the snacks and fruit - so blessed and lucky!

With that said, you don't get to choose what the meal is per day. Some of the food was a bit over the top, but it was the thought. Honestly, if I could have had the same food for the 14 days, then that would have been great. I am not a complex eater but some of the meals had fish, chicken, beef all together. For someone first starting out, I suggest giving them a care package of the following:

2x Case of Water
Plastic Forks / Spoons / Chop Sticks
Yoga Mat
Light Weights / Dumb Bells / Kettle Bell
Beer / Wine / Champagne / Orange Juice / Soda etc.
Snacks

Each of the rooms has the ability to boil water, this is especially helpful if you want to have a cup of noodles or tea/coffee. The water is especially important, although the hotel I was staying at did ramp up the water they provided. It was rough the first few days, then they started to provide a full 1.5L each day. The yoga mat and light weights was a game changer. The rooms are tiny, the completion of steps per day was back and forth and there wasn't much to do.

Check-in on them daily and the SHN will be over in no time.

You can get a lot done during that time. I read a lot, focused back on coding again, did my work and meetings as normal, took my vitamins, worked out, and had somewhat of a routine. There were horror stories about roaches, rats, mice and all of the above. I had some experience with roaches, however, it wasn't anything extreme especially after the neighbor left and they cleaned that room up. Some people took the SHN a bit harder than others. There are very strict rules in place and it is also the responsibility of yourself to keep your room clean as well. There were certain times that trash would be picked up, there were times where you would run out of garbage bags and had to call up to get more, there were times when you didn't have enough towels or water. Over time, these just got better because you were in a routine and disciplined yourself better. We got new towels every couple days, laundry was done and turned around in a day, new sheets every week along with replenishment of coffee/tea - it wasn't all that bad.

The weekends were a bit rough especially when it was nice outside but the days did start to blend a bit. At around day 10 of the 14 you will be asked to take the COVID test. The COVID test is not very pleasant. You are ushered down stairs, asked to line up, sit down and with a nice swab deep in your nose, spun 10 seconds each nostril, then off you go back to your room. The results come back in a couple days, then you are then provided with instructions and a time to check out.

On the day of leaving, my bags were packed super early, the door had a knock at 12:01, the Grab was ordered and we are off. I was escorted out of the building, ushered into alley on the side of the hotel and was told the way to the front of the hotel for pick up. My face lit up as this is the first time I have had the breath of fresh air and my eyes were thankfully blinded by the sun. It was nice. I see the same people I checked in with, all of them with the same sigh of relief that we can now get about our day and our lives. Would I do it again, I certainly hope not.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions on the SHN or Singapore in general. Singapore has plenty to explore and I have plenty of stories and experiences to share in 2021. I can't wait to write about them as an American ex-pat in this great and wonderful host country of Singapore. This part of the world is wild!