Singapore 101

We spent the day shopping, both at a large indoor mall that my parents frequent and at an outdoor market. Silas once again had enough of the outing by mid-afternoon so napped in Papa's arms while my sister and I milled through shop after shop. The weather is extremely humid and HOT all the time so the boys lingered inside in the air as much as possible. This photo was me creating a memory of Silas in the outdoor market. They are standing beside Chinese children's clothing, remnants from the recent celebration of Chinese New Year...

Sister and I found several humorous items during our market stroll. Whenever non-English speakers attempt to knock-off American brands, the result is often comical. This year the knock-off brand of choice must have been Land's End. We saw it everywhere. Needless to say, we neither purchased much. I finally settled on a pj set for Silas that says Hello Mummy Daddy. Shane will question it for sure (sorry, babe). Singapore has a strong British influence, hence the use of Mum instead of Mom. Cost me about $4. I didn't have the heart to bargain. I was tempted by these t-shirts along the way...

Can you see the white one? The largest size they had in it was 18 months and it says Born in 2005. Hmmm. I think it should have been on clearance.

Several of you asked about Singapore before I left on this trip, so I thought I would share a bit of what I know about this stunning city. Click here to see a map of where Singapore is located in relation to the rest of south east Asia. You'll see it tucked away in the midst of Malaysia (in blue). I did not grow up here, but have visited about 7 times since my parents moved here in 1996 after I graduated from high school. My parents have lived in this apartment building since then...

This is the view off their balcony. The sea to the left (beach photos to come in the next couple of days!). And the city skyline to the front and right...


Singapore is an independent city-state with it's own government. It is a melting pot of cultures. People of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Filipino, and Indonesian background (among others) come together here as Singaporeans. The many religions reflected in these peoples include Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, and Hindu. Because of the influence of the British, Singaporeans get in a taxi queue (say "q") rather than stand in line, take the lift rather than an elevator, and tell each other can rather than ok. And they drive on the other side of the street...

Space is a major issue for this nation that is the size of a large city (almost 5 million people) so most people live in high-rise apartment buildings like my parents. However, for a place with that big city feel, Singapore is as green as they come. Every street is meticulously manicured with trees lining the sidewalks and flowering bushes on the overpasses...

I am always struck by the old and new, ancient and modern, high-tech and third-world represented here. Most Singaporeans would never think of shopping in the outdoor markets where my sister and I spent most of our afternoon. They would rather spend their Sing dollars in one of the many malls that offer all the conveniences you or I could think of. As Tara and I walked to meet my parents, this common shop met us at the entrance to the mall...
And across the street was the outdoor market...
Such a contrast in cultures. But here, it works. Just like this common sighting of a woman with her religious headdress...

Interestingly enough, she was just one of many voting for their favorite in Singapore's own Talent Quest '09. Tara and I listened to a few of the contestants as we purchased and sipped a cool icy mocha from Starbucks. I have to say that at least one of the Talent Quest competitors was better than some of those American Idol top 24s!

Ok, thanks for letting me blog about Asia. I can't help it. It's in my blood!