Impressions of Singapore

March 14th, 2013

Shanghai, China

Song of the Day: Get by by Talib Kweli

Mood: Happy

Being in Singapore was quite a culture shock. From the moment I arrived, I realized I was in a very different place than Myanmar.

First, people drive on the other (left) side of the road and moving walkways are oriented accordingly as well.

Second, technology is more advanced than in America.

Moving walkways only start when someone approaches.
They conserve energy by shutting off if no one is on them.

Third, they use British words! (Okay, Myanmar might do this too, but I still enjoyed it.)

Fourth, public transportation was organized. People getting off have the right of way. People politely queue up on the side and wait. (Note: If the door is closing in front of you, don't use your bag to try to hold the door open as the door doesn't play games. Luckily, I escaped without injury or broken goods and met my friend at the next stop when I didn't make it on the train in time.)

The two biggest differences were the throngs of people and the extent of consumerism. There are malls after malls after malls that are full of people. While it was nice that everything was ordered, more convenient, and there were so many more options, I felt constant pressure to purchase items. I didn't feel that way in all in Myanmar and in this one area, I would much rather live in Myanmar because it is easier to focus and think without being bombarded by consumerism.

McD's always tries to contextualize (e.g., McArabia in Abu Dhabi)
Here the special was "Cherish Prosperity"

Orchard Road is littered with all the nicest stores. The Louis Vitton store goes under water and has a museum of old bags.

Anyone up for a gondola ride inside a mall?

What about ice skating?

One of my favorite stores was the fish spa where people pay to have little fish nibble the dead skin off their feet.

In Myanmar, basically everyone is poor. Singapore has the highest concentration of millionaires in the world and they can could buy a muskmelon for $63 USD or two oranges for $26 USD

The Educated Warrior and his family graciously hosted me and we had a lot of fun.

We ate Chinese food after church

Despite cultural differences, it was so easy
to connect based on our shared faith

Getting glasses fit

For the first time, I found people taller than me

Sushi conveyor belt. We ate sushi twice -- my favorite!

An added bonus is that I accomplished several things I wanted to do:

• I didn't get caned
• I found a bar for bros that asks the tough questions

• I learned about how to be a positive role model for children: