I went to the
pharmacist this evening.
There is much haze
again here in Singapore as the Indonesians continue their insane deforestation
programs to plant palm oil by setting vast tracts of forest on fire.
Palm oil is touted
as being a diverse and environmentally friendly product but when one considers
the enormous damage done in clearing the land – it is in fact horrific. The
Banking sector proclaimed last year that they will dissuade such atrocious
practices by imposing financial penalties or restricted credit on palm oil
producers - but I have yet to see any impact at all.
None whatsoever.
Some people
believe that there are a number of Singaporean Companies that actually own – or
have a substantial interest - in the palm oil companies that are wreaking such
havoc.
Perhaps even the
Singapore Government themselves.
The smoke clouds
that are generated by the burns are enormous and much precious wildlife is
killed. Some of the beautiful and already endangered Orangutans have been
killed in these fires and governments seem powerless to prevent this
catastrophe.
The name "orangutan" is derived from the Malay
and Indonesian words “orang” meaning "person" - and
“hutan” - meaning
"forest".
Thus they are the
"Forest People".
Their genetic link
to we humans is incredibly close yet their behaviours are very distant.
The orangutan do
not start wars or murder species and they never burn down the environments of
other creatures.
I have been to see
these incredibly intelligent and gentle ape species in both Borneo and on the
Indonesian Island of Sumatra and like - but unlike - the smoke from the haze,
the encounters simply took my breath away.
There are rare times
when to witness such beauty and delight and joy elicits tears moreso than
laughter.
This was such a
time.
To say it is very
distressing to think that man is destroying their habitat would be a vast
understatement.
It is an
abomination.
I have been much
hardened by the great cruelty and injustices that are a constant in this world
but I was greatly touched and moved by seeing the Orangutans in the wild.
Such moments are
as rare as they are magical and we need to snatch them when we can.
The memories are indelible.
The extinction of
the Orangutan is inevitable unless we stop.
It may already be
too late.
We in Singapore
and Malaysia choke on the smoke.
We call it the
burning season.
So anyway, I was
feeling a bit wheezy and I had run out of Ventolin. I have occasional bouts of
asthma. Yes Mum - I know that this is likely to some degree smoking related yet
I definitely suffer more in Singapore during the burning season.
I normally stock
up on inhalers when I travel. Ventolin is available over-the-counter everywhere
except Singapore but I forgot to re-supply myself when I last travelled.
I knew it was
going to be a struggle to get the pharmacist to sell me any for we have danced
this waltz before. However the local doctor's clinic was closed and I thought I
would give it a crack anyway. I walked down to my local pharmacy and confronted
the old fella behind the counter. He is a local man named Ken from whom I have
bought stuff before.
For many years.
I have mostly purchased
stomach related medications that I stock up on for when I travel to India or
Nepal. I have found that it is best to be prepared for stomach ailments when
one travels to India - so this pharmacist and I know each other well.
"Good
evening uncle"
I smiled.
The term “uncle”
is one of endearment in Singapore that is used generically to refer to elderly
men. Yes we also use “aunty” for the old girls.
"I am
feeling a bit wheezy and need some Ventolin please. Can Ken?"
“Lah” I
added – just for the hell of it.
The words “can” and “cannot” are used liberally by the natives on the
Island – as is the non-sensical word “lah” - and I too enjoy their use.
"Good
evening"
he smiled back.
"Cannot
lah. You need to get from the doctor"
"Ah I know
this Ken and you also know that I know this,” I replied
"But the
doctor's clinic is closed and I think I might need some Ventolin tonight. I
need some now in fact"
"Cannot,” he repeated.
"You need
to see the doctor tomorrow then"
"OK lah" I said.
I was still
smiling when I said this but I was exaggerating my wheeze a little. I was
trying to extract a little sympathy.
"Why don't
you just sell me one inhaler uncle? I won't tell anyone if you don't"
"Cannot,” he repeated.
He was still
smiling himself and although his wrinkled face showed some signs of sympathy I
knew he wasn't going to budge.
"It is
against the law", he
repeated.
"But I
don't think anyone can abuse Ventolin can they?" I implored.
"Surely no
one has overdosed on Ventolin before have they?"
"Cannot,” he repeated.
"It is
against the Law. If you cannot breathe you must go to the Hospital"
"Oh
well" I
replied.
"I hope I
last through the night then Ken. I don’t wish my death to be on your conscience"
This is pretty
much what I expected so I wasn't too surprised.
As I was turning
to leave Ken said, "Mr. Peter you should take some crocodile meat"
I wasn't sure that
I heard him correctly. So I said, "Pardon me?"
"You
should take some crocodile meat. For your asthma".
He looked deadly
serious.
"Where
should I take this meat uncle? And from where do I get it?" I
enquired.
"It will
cure your asthma"
he beamed - without answering either of my questions.
This is the Singaporean way.
"OK"
I said.
"Give me
an inhaler of crocodile meat please then".
I pulled out my
wallet.
"Cannot,” he said.
"It does
not come in an inhaler"
"Alright" I replied
"Give me a
bottle of crocodile meat pills then"
"Cannot,” he once again stated.
A theme was
emerging here.
"You must
get the fresh meat of a crocodile"
"You
have?" I
asked - knowing the answer already
"I do
not" he
smiled.
"So where
can I get it?"
I asked
"From
Australia"
he retorted with delight.
"Cannot
Ken" I said.
"It is
against the law"
"Not in
Singapore"
he said.
With some smugness
I might add.
Imagine that.
You can't buy a
harmless life saving drug like Ventolin over the counter here but the
pharmacists are pushing asthmatics to purchase and consume the raw flesh of a
viciously dangerous animal from Australia.
The bizarreness of
this place never ceases to amaze me.
I just Googled asthma
and crocodile meat and yes, Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Singapore do in
fact recommend the consumption of raw crocodile meat for the prevention of
asthma.
They don't tell
you where to get it from though.