Remembering Old Singapore

From time to time we go to Singapore to catch up with friends whom we have known since 1971! The last trip I asked them if they missed the "Old Singapore." They did and so do we. Places that we visited on our first date are gone - the Adelphi Hotel, where started the evening with a drink, has been torn down; we had dinner at Orchard Road Car Park,which became a hawker area at 5 p.m. has been replaced by the road's dense, upmarket shopping area  Street names are familiar, but the buildings aren't.

On a recent weekend trip we spent the weekend in Little India - hotel, meals, and walks. We stayed at the Perak Hotel, a budget hotel in Little India. The  staff was knowledgeable and friendly; the rooms clean and had reliable hot water. All one wants from a budget hotel in an expensive city. Although the hotel had breakfast we walked a few blocks to the Madras New Woodlands Restaurant. Our friends eat there every Sunday. We ordered dosa and upuma and then spent the morning chatting away.

Along the way we were reminded of an older Singapore with its small shops.

Little India outdoor produce stand

Further up the street is Serangoon Road, a hive of activity. On Sunday nights it is alive with Indian workers wandering, meeting, and buying phone cards. Among the shop are clothing shops and cloth shops. If an alteration is needed tailors are readily available.

Roadside tailor shop

Along Serangoon Road we met another friend at City Square Mall, "Singapore's first eco-mall. Along the way and in the mall we saw signs that in one way or another encouraged citizenship, better health, and environmental appreciation.

See something, say something?

livEnabled.sg  A campaign to promote a more welcoming environment
for  person with disabilities & the frail elderly

"Frail elderly" - reminds me of a person who pointed out that I and others that we were the "not yet disabled." On to a health reminder or, more appropriately an opportunity to be healthier. Note - this is not the product of a government harangue.

 And finally, we got to learn about the benefits of an eco-mall

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So Singapore may look different, but its core values are in place. Let's put aside the preoccupation with  shopping and money and think about the government's agenda of developing thoughtful (and non-gum chewing) citizens. It's the Singapore version of Gross National Happiness.