My first trip to Singapore in 2005 was just an accident. I had been vacationing in Kuala Lumpur for several days already and the view is starting to become monotonous so I thought that a little side trip to this state wouldn't hurt and would enrich my scant information about how this small country from Southeast Asia who has gained independence from the British as part of Federation Malaysia in 1963 and became a totally separate nation two years after, reached their prominence in terms of economic growth in 20 years or so, ranked as one of the first-world countries and rose to be a model example of a country that has never lost its duty to its people in terms of lives improvement. An unprecedented feat only a strong leader can make it happen and sadly, our nation can only hope for.
I arrived Singapore a little past midnight via a 5-hour bus ride from Putrajaya KL and got a trip-back ticket at 5pm that day. So sleeping not allowed, I have about 16 hours to spend and a lot more experiences to save in my memory bank.
I started the usual tourist route which can be a little familiar when you have been to other countries; a little shopping in Esplanade, Suntec City, strolling along Orchard Road and visiting the many museums that dotted the city, letting out the child within in Sentosa. Unexpectedly by the third hour, the typical feelings were replaced with awe and a lot of memorable interactions. And by the time I was about leave, I can’t even bring myself to take that first step to the terminal that will bring me back to KL.
The first thing I noticed in Singapore is the cleanliness. You know it takes very little to make me happy and the zero-waste, smoke-less, odor-free environment is enough for me to jump for joy and scream hallelujah. Singapore takes to heart their law seriously on anti-littering and smoking and punishments are meted out appropriately. No one is above the law. And this kind of discipline from an economic tiger state has flowed into their economic evolution and success.
The second is safety. Rarely can you probably hear someone being mugged or robbed in this country. I have fear of taking out my phone in the streets back home but I didn't have any here. One of the things that people look for in a place to visit is its safety whether you're locals, expats or tourists. I find comfort in the fact that Singapore exercises tough laws and punishes those found accountable.
The mass transit system is one of the the most organized, weaving together all the major must stops in the city. The directions are simple and tourist friendly. Every stop opens to major malls, friendly walkways and pedestrian friendly streets connecting building to building so you'll never be off coursed, of course.
Singapore is also home to the most multicultural mixed of races so you might be lost in translation once in a while but you won't have a hard time asking for instructions in English. The culture and arts are alive and thriving because the country has never dropped it in their scope while they are building their city. The Esplanade has been a symbol of their active advocacy in the preservation of their culture and arts and the appreciation of others.
The worldwide fame of the Annual Singapore Sale has put them on the map as the ultimate shopping destination in Asia with all the top-of-the-line local and international brands vying first place in your heart, asking to take them with your hard-earned money. They also have the most efficient customer service that really works and that really takes good care of their customers beyond the usual.
And nothing beats their excellent cuisines; some extraordinary local fares, others a fusion of many influences. The food will make you forget that you're on a diet and still recovering from the recent allergy back home that left you dehydrated. Shame gluttony. The foods personify that Singapore will always leave a distinct taste in your palate; sweet, spicy, a little salty sometimes and everything nice.
But more than these, it's the people that will make you stay and return back. I have a lot of happy memories of Singapore from my first trip in 2005 which was less than a day and was accidental in nature but a fortunate one until the succeeding trips back in 2006 and last February this year. My 16-hour first stay in Singapore left me yearning for more and was one of the most fruitful and exhilarating trips of my life that's why I had to do it one more time and another time and whenever I go back, it never fails to amaze me every time.
That fateful little accident of 2005 was the start of my good relationship with a country that always spells happiness. Happiness because here I met different people of diverse cultures and got to swap stories of trips gone awry, anecdotes of funny and sometimes twisted sense of humor, accounts of breathtaking places and landmarks that left me changed, tales of mysterious discovery of amazing off-the-beaten tracks, chronicles of people and cultures with different means of self-expression and narratives of personal failures and triumphs. Happiness because I got to have a somewhat unofficial survey of social mores, satisfying indulgences and neat what-to-do revelations and found out that we may be of different colors but dig deeper and you may find yourselves alike in more ways than one. And true money can’t buy happiness and sometimes the desire of materials things can be a deterrent pill to enjoy life that's why whenever I visit Singapore, I try everything not just shopping, no stones left unturned. For indeed, it's the total cultural immersion; the interactions and relationships you have from the immigration officials as you enter the country's territory until that last person you will meet that really count.
I have always been grateful for that first trip decided in haste but ended up as a saving grace; that when I go back to my own life however chaotic or dull it may be, I have that 16 hours to go back to, to keep me sane, to take back my depleted energy and to keep that soul alive, that despite the not-so-good things that have happened and might happen in the future, despite some shattered goals and sometimes defeated spirits, I have found a beautiful friend in Singapore and because of that, I can face anything with a smile.
What can I say, I was tagged, marked and resigned to honor this wonderful place and this is my sweet revenge all in a day's work.
Just some quirks I find positively entertaining in Singapore:
Nobody minds what you wear. Be it the shorts short of all shorts or the long johns of longs, showing some cleavage or just some space in between your bosom or letting everyone know that peeking butt crack is cool. They really don’t mind and care as long you do it within the limits of decency. It's their form of self-expression and being considered as the Asia's creative hub; they have donned it even in the streets and public transports.
Locals have their own English they call Singlish. It's a language that you'll get used to though when you stay for at least a year but kind of hard when you just step off right from the airplane. They also put some -ya after every sentence that I once thought a guy from the store is waiting for answer when he had thrown a declarative sentence at me.
They don’t complete you. You don't have to complete your sentence with the prescribed articles, prepositions or the small words you put in between your words to connect as long as the basic words are there. They are not really much focused on grammar as long as you understand each other I guess.
The MRT and buses (despite being double-deck and aplenty) are always swelling with people even on holidays. We had the chance to be there on a Chinese New Year and though all the stores are close, there will always be great places to go to. And by that way, there's really not much to do during Chinese New Year and most of the people there have their long overdue vacay during that time.
They are big on brands. It's like you're shopping for that perfect LV bag or the comfortable Gucci shoes when you look at everyone, everywhere you go. Locals and expats here have been quite an avid wearer of branded clothes and are not afraid to let everyone know. Branded names are a local staple here so think twice when bringing fake stuff or wearing one or better yet, leave them at home.
Most don’t mind what you do in public and everyone respects your privacy. I once saw a couple French kissing at the MRT and nobody even dared look at them. I think I was the only one for about 1/60 of a sec. I apologize.
Sweets and local desserts are aplenty and it would always be like spinning the wheel of fortune whenever choosing the best dessert that will perfectly complement your breakfast, lunch, dinner etc .
I have always been fascinated by different cultures and Singaporeans have a charm and a sense of humor uniquely their own. I have, since 2005, loved the quirkiness of the place and the people and everything that have shaped and molded them and made them who they are today. I have always been enchanted by their discipline and strength and though I wouldn't be able to fully understand their culture, I have come to realize that I can always be a friend to them.
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