In between the 2014 Cyclocross World Championships and some local Belgian CX, I sneaked a visit to the Vélodrome André-Pétrieux, or more famously known as the Vélodrome de Roubaix. Since 1989, it has been the finish point of Paris Roubaix. Riders either love the race, or loathe the race. The vélodrome was quiet in early February, but will become a very different place every April. I spent about an hour exploring the place. With overcast skies and little drizzles, it felt like a fitting day to explore. I did not manage to enter the cold stone showers though. Opposite the vélodrome is a café with race history, and memorabilia. Looking at the past pictures, and the list of victors, it felt like a good history lesson about the sport. On the wall of the bar, there is a list of all the riders who had won before. This race really takes no prisoners, except for a few exceptions.
An Unexpected Meetup
About a year ago, I visited a hairdressing shop in the Serangoon area. The shop, New Chay Hong Lady Beauty Parlour 彩虹女子電髮院, had been at the same premises for 60 years. My friend experienced a "cut and wash", and I was just looking around. It was more of a novelty, and a chance to look at traditional businesses that are slowly vanishing.
A few days ago, I ran into the hairdresser in the subway. I said "hello", but of course she did not recognise me. Still it was an unexpected, yet pleasant meeting. She mentioned that now, the shop is having a 6-month rolling lease, to be renewed every 6 months. The next renewal is in June 2014. "And then I'll see", she says. "Hopefully I keep going on as long as I can." I guess, there's a real possibility that the shop may be closed down soon.
She gave me her home telephone number, and asked me to call next time before going to visit. I said I would encourage more female friends, especially my friends from abroad to go. It would be a very nice cultural souvenir to experience a "cut and wash" from a traditional hairdresser.
Former National Aerated Water Co., Ltd.
Sembawang Hill Estate Taxi Services
An old hut where taxi drivers would wait for customers to call and book their services. Hut is around 40 years old. It is now maintained by a group of former taxi drivers.
Neo Tiew Housing Estate
Visit to an abandoned housing estate and the nearby areas. The weird thing about this housing estate is - it is quite a large estate, located in a rural and inaccessible part of Singapore. The old housing estate was sold en-bloc more than a decade ago. Moving the residents to more accessible locations. Nowadays, it is still used by the military for urban combat training. I was trespassing as there was a military training exercise that day. But, that's part of the fun in urban exploration.
