Singapore
Anna's entry:
First time visiting Singapre in 2001 I liked it. Being back here again in 2010 I loved it. There is such a good feeling being here - great infrasrcuture, amazing architecutre, smart modernism, excellent public transport, peaceful parks, great and affordable international food, and the city never sleeps! You could easily walk around the city at 4 a.m. and not think twice about it. Singapore at night is probably the most impressive and romantic, various colour lights elluminating bridges, canals, buildings, statues, ahhhh.... This is a kind of place to fall in love in, or just have another honeymoon.... Sure, it is not the "real" Asia we grew accustomed to for the numerous months on the road, but I love it. And, quite franky, it is nice to have a break from a real Asia sometimes - not facing corruption, being able to rely on public transport, not to feel over-charged, or being afraid to cross the street and not being hit by a car... We needed that break. My very dear friend Jessica and her mom (who live in Indonesia) offered us a very kind gesture to stay in their apartment, right in the center of the city. Both Rob and I finally got that rest and peace we needed after three months of rustic travels - such a simple thing as a running (hot!) water and flushable toilet doesn't sound like much, but it was a pampering after all these cold bucket showers and squat toilets. I am sure we'll start missing them soon, but for now, it is good to be back in civilization!
We walk a lot around here - so many parks, boulevards, eateries, walkways, canals! There is always something going on. And food?! On the first night of arrival, I got a FREE pizza - yes, no scams! Thursday is a lady night special, no questions asked. Well, sure, the restaurant hopes you could order other things, but if you are OK just with a pizza, no prob! Yes, it is civilized here, smart businesses, etc. Singapore, in my opinion, is an example of the positive totalitarism that went right - no corruption, and smart governemnt decision effectively put into practise. I hear sometimes Westerners bitch of Singapore being way too strcit as a ciountry - like big fines on spitting on the pavement or not stopping on the red light, or smoking in public - well, my friends, that's just fine with me. After life in the developing (and some developed) countries, it is a pleasure to experience a high standard. If people can not behave as civilized citizens, maybe they'll understand the language of fines.
On another topic... Rob and I attended a big Indian festival called Thaipusam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusam). I probably should mention that Singapore's ethnically diverse culture is represented by numerous nationalities, but the three major ethnic groups are Indians, Chinese, and Malay. Anyway, the Thaipusam festival went on for several days, unfortunately were were unable to stay for all the festivities (we are heading out for the Philippines very soon), but what we saw and experienced is very memorable. It is a festival of "spiritual cleansing" via body piercing and self-inflicted pain performed largely by men occasionally by women. It is a festival not for light-hearted - by the end of of the festival some devotees drop on the ground exhausted, dehydrated, with bleeding backs, shoulders, faces - their cheeks and tongues pierced by a long needle for several days (meaning no food, almost no water, and silence for several days), backs pierced by hooks attached to the chains and carrying heavy loads and performing trans-dance, etc. All, self inflicted, and highly respected by friends and family members. I think the main purpose of this festival is repenting the sins by a participant for the sake of their families; it is also a sacrifice for fulfilling some wish, such as the healthy recovery of a loved one, or gaining spiritual cleansing. Anyway, it was disturbing and fascinating at the same time. And, as always a warm Indian hospitality - we attended a free Thali lunch (on banana leave) intended mostly for the pilgrims and their families (we were the only Westerners as it happens often). Even though we were the spectators, we were very welcomed, and were constantly offered more food, the servers kept returning back to us with the seconds, thirds, desserts etc, and making sure we really had enough. The entire lunch was arranged in groups sitting on the floor and eating with their hands. We didn't mind at all, but one of the servers tracked down a couple of spoons for us to make sure were were comfortable - see why we love Indian hospitality so much? Eventually, we made our effort for an exit, but hosts caught up with us insisting we would take some extra dessert in a cup with us, so we did. On the way out, we continued seeing more groups of pilgrims on their last stage of the sacrifice, their families welcoming them back, trying to assist with pulling the hooks out of the bleeding backs, and removing piercing needles from their swollen tongues and cheeks. We respectfully were standing by, but eventually had to make our way out. We would be leaving that night for the Philippines...
We walk a lot around here - so many parks, boulevards, eateries, walkways, canals! There is always something going on. And food?! On the first night of arrival, I got a FREE pizza - yes, no scams! Thursday is a lady night special, no questions asked. Well, sure, the restaurant hopes you could order other things, but if you are OK just with a pizza, no prob! Yes, it is civilized here, smart businesses, etc. Singapore, in my opinion, is an example of the positive totalitarism that went right - no corruption, and smart governemnt decision effectively put into practise. I hear sometimes Westerners bitch of Singapore being way too strcit as a ciountry - like big fines on spitting on the pavement or not stopping on the red light, or smoking in public - well, my friends, that's just fine with me. After life in the developing (and some developed) countries, it is a pleasure to experience a high standard. If people can not behave as civilized citizens, maybe they'll understand the language of fines.
On another topic... Rob and I attended a big Indian festival called Thaipusam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaipusam). I probably should mention that Singapore's ethnically diverse culture is represented by numerous nationalities, but the three major ethnic groups are Indians, Chinese, and Malay. Anyway, the Thaipusam festival went on for several days, unfortunately were were unable to stay for all the festivities (we are heading out for the Philippines very soon), but what we saw and experienced is very memorable. It is a festival of "spiritual cleansing" via body piercing and self-inflicted pain performed largely by men occasionally by women. It is a festival not for light-hearted - by the end of of the festival some devotees drop on the ground exhausted, dehydrated, with bleeding backs, shoulders, faces - their cheeks and tongues pierced by a long needle for several days (meaning no food, almost no water, and silence for several days), backs pierced by hooks attached to the chains and carrying heavy loads and performing trans-dance, etc. All, self inflicted, and highly respected by friends and family members. I think the main purpose of this festival is repenting the sins by a participant for the sake of their families; it is also a sacrifice for fulfilling some wish, such as the healthy recovery of a loved one, or gaining spiritual cleansing. Anyway, it was disturbing and fascinating at the same time. And, as always a warm Indian hospitality - we attended a free Thali lunch (on banana leave) intended mostly for the pilgrims and their families (we were the only Westerners as it happens often). Even though we were the spectators, we were very welcomed, and were constantly offered more food, the servers kept returning back to us with the seconds, thirds, desserts etc, and making sure we really had enough. The entire lunch was arranged in groups sitting on the floor and eating with their hands. We didn't mind at all, but one of the servers tracked down a couple of spoons for us to make sure were were comfortable - see why we love Indian hospitality so much? Eventually, we made our effort for an exit, but hosts caught up with us insisting we would take some extra dessert in a cup with us, so we did. On the way out, we continued seeing more groups of pilgrims on their last stage of the sacrifice, their families welcoming them back, trying to assist with pulling the hooks out of the bleeding backs, and removing piercing needles from their swollen tongues and cheeks. We respectfully were standing by, but eventually had to make our way out. We would be leaving that night for the Philippines...
posted by Rob and Anna @ 4:09 AM
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