East Lodge Hostel

My travel to Singapore went smoothly after I finally left the US. I even had my baggage waiting for me in Singapore when I arrived at the Changi International airport in Singapore despite multiple delays and last minute changes to flights. After going through customs and taking a taxi across Singapore, I finally arrived at East Lodge Hostel at about 2:30am local time after traveling for about 36 hours.

Now how to describe East Lodge hostel… I think I would say it has the feel of a slightly more homie work camp- complete with metal gates and chain link surrounding the compound and a sketchy worker bus in the front parking lot. I had to check in with the security guard since I arrived after hours and as he brought me to my room—there were all these asian students staring at me like prisonmates look at new inmates as I drag my luggage through the complex. It got even better when the security guard arrives at this chain linked caged section that has a sign with a male stick figure X’d out saying no entry will persecute. Of course my room was inside this. I have a basic no frills room-cot, desk, wardrobe with attached toilet in the shower all in about 100 square feet. Now mind you none of this really bothered me at all until I realized I couldn’t get internet in my room…. Singapore is probably the most technolically advanced city in the world and I seriously have to be a digital refugee walking around with my iphone outstretched hoping and praying I will find free wifi in public areas of the city?? We talked to the EAPSI coordinator, Candace, and she is going to try to talk with the East Lodge manager to see if she can switch our rooms to an area of the compound that gets wifi signal in the room. Fingers Crossed.

Other than not having internet and the appearance—East Lodge really isn’t that bad. It’s actually in a really great location with restaurants/shops and a hawker stand right across the street and a canal with a running path right behind the complex. There’s also a bus stop across the street that will take me to Biopolis (where I’ll be working this summer) and to the National University of Singapore (NUS). The Clementi mall and MRT station is also only a 15 minute walk away—so really it’s a great place to be and better location-wise than the dorms at NUS where many of the other EAPSI fellows are staying.

Entrance to East Lodge Hostel

Kitchen/Laundry/Work out/ common area--all outside in the open

View of hostel rooms from outside

Sign on Female "caged" section

View of my spacious 100sq ft room from the door

View of room from inside room-the toilet you see is in the shower

Restaurants and shops across street from hostel

Running path behind the hostel compound

Foot bridge over canal to get to MRT station