The Corona Diaries - Gene | Singapore Tour Guide
Gene has been a full-time guide for 5 years and just recently joined the Hello! Singapore Tours team in 2019. Before he decided to become a professional tour guide, Gene worked as a technician in the Singapore Airforce and worked as a professional cabin crew for Singapore Airlines for almost 8 years. He loves to make use of his free time volunteering and doing outdoor activities. His enthusiasm and love for Singapore is very evident on his tour that will leave you loving the city as well!
Now that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the world and Singapore is strictly observing social distancing measures to prevent the spread of the virus. How does Gene cope with the new normal? Below is a short interview with him as he shares his Covid-19 daily life.
Hello! Singapore Tour Guide Gene reading reading all about Singapore!
On a normal day, you are usually out on the streets showing our guests the beauty of Singapore. Given the travel restrictions imposed by several countries how are you spending your time now? What keeps you busy?
Wow! I have been incredibly busy besides catching up on sleep. These are some of the things that I have been doing:
Firstly, exercising. Stationary strength exercises as well as jogging. We are incredibly lucky here in Singapore to still be able to go out to do vigorous activity. The only conditions are; we have to do the activity alone, we have to keep a distance from others and we have to put on a face mask before and after the activity. My particular area and region up North, where I live, Canberra, Sembawang has the most wonderful green spaces and historic places.
I have been catching up on movies, shows, and TV series on Netflix! What will I do without Netflix? Particularly enjoyed immensely, The Crown, season 3. What a truly outstanding series!
I do take care of my inner self and spiritual (not religious) needs too. I have been participating in a few meditation zoom meetings. In particular, I really loved the international group, that met for a meditation sitting. There were people from, Argentina, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada, Thailand, among others. Before the 45 minutes of meditation, we talked a little about how we were all affected by Covid-19. That was really special and unique.
I have been doing some tidying and cleaning of my home. Still, a long way to go honestly, as I keep getting distracted. One of the distractions is reminiscing about my youth and my travels with old photos. See my photo of me in Rome circa 2003!
I do like to delve into the past and immerse myself with Singapore's rich history. So I am still reading about the fascinating lives of the early Armenians in Singapore!
We know that you suffer from wanderlust yourself. When this Pandemic is finally over, and that you can go anywhere overseas where will your wanderlust take you and why?
If the world is my oyster, if I can go anywhere, I will want to go everywhere, but specifically, I would want to go to Spain, simply because I have never been. I have always wanted to. I want to eat, to discover its architecture and to relish its culture and heritage and there definitely has to be a visit to The Dalí Theatre and Museum in the town of Figueres, Catalonia,
Spain. Dali is the most unusual, weird, intense but by far the most intriguing artist that had ever lived. At least, to me.
After the world comes out of this dark time and that everyone can travel to Singapore again, what is the first thing or place you are most excited about showing our guests and why?
I would definitely bring my guests to and around Fort Canning Park. It never gets old. It is an ancient hill park that has such a rich and deep-rooted history. It has gorgeous flora and breathtaking sights too. It's an underrated national treasure.
What is one thing that this very unfortunate event taught you or helped you realize?
That we are all connected. That we are all dependent on one another, not only on a local scale but really on a global scale. Also, that we have forgotten how to pause, to reflect, to just be, and to just be connected with ourselves. We have forgotten how to appreciate our beautiful earth, the wonderful people, our family, our friends, our colleagues, our lives, our very existence.
Gene’s message to all
To all friends and future tourists to Singapore, may this severe separation and degradation, bring forth deeper faith in humanity, may it inspire ceaseless determination and may it encourage boundless charity to all life! My kindest thoughts.