In Singapore

Sitting here at my friend's place, watching the drizzle fall, listening to the sound of watery splashing as buses and cars rush by. Outside the window, sturdily built and colourful public housing line the landscape. Singapore has probably the highest rate of home ownership in the world, and as a tiny city-state it has many things to be proud of. Certainly, the sights and sounds i've experienced in the past few days have not ceased to awe.

Main purpose of the trip is actually to get a visa to Indonesia. For some reason (which I fear is political) it's not possible for foreign nationals to get a visa to Indonesia in Taiwan, so I was told to go either to Singapore or Hong Kong. Thank goodness I have a friend here who I just met through another friend back in April, so save a lot of extra costs! The visa is being processed at the moment, and should be ready tomorrow. First impressions of the Indonesian bureucracy is not too appealing. Smile-less bureaucrats who treat you as if you were some beggar asking for help. Was told to return again after I showed up in the early afternoon the day before, because apparently visa applications are morning duties. They didn't say this to me on the phone, or mention it on their website.

Been around Chinatown on the first day. Many things are so similar to Taiwan...the street scenes, the way people look and dress. One thing is different though; though most people are 'chinese looking', when they open their mouths it's English that comes out. It feels like i've landed in a parallel universe, where things do not appear as they seem. To me, that's a strange idea...maybe it's because i've ingrained myself to the fact that 'black hair, yellowish skinned' means East Asian. but then here, that kind of idea is outmoded. Seeming is not being, as i always put it.

Even so this tiny-city state seems to have little problem defining itself, knowing its own existence and identity. With the blend of Malay, Tamil, Chinese (which further branches out into Hakka, Hokkien and Teachow), and a proportion of foreign (by that I mean 'white') expats, Singapore does not seem to have problems showing itself off as a world-class, developed and educated state. This country is a true blend of Asian cultures, as the Asian Civilisations Museum tries to showcase. It takes much pride in its history, cultural heritages (note the-s), its glorious and suffering past, its econmic miracle, and its own stance in a region dominated by predominantly muslim countries and peoples. With such ordered and clean streets, well-mannered people and infrastructure, you wonder whether you've landed in paradise. At the customs counters of Changi Airport, the special cunters for Singaporeans flash the words 'Welcome home!'. Two simple words, but with such significance. This is a government that cares and knows its people. maybe too much, but such orderliness and such proper organisation and regulations comes at a price.

To see and explore, to learn and grow. To know a world that is greater than my own.
That's the purpose of my trip.