Everything I heard about Singapore is true and more… July 21, 2008

Just like legend claims, Singapore is a clean clean clean country. Everything seems to be super organized and highly regulated. The streets are spotless, cars are clean and under 10 years of old, all of them! In fact, we learned that cars older than 10 years are not allowed in the country. It has to be sold to the junk yard, and the government will pay you S$4000 to S$5000 ($1 = about S$1.35). Not a bad deal. But in general, you’ve really gotta be careful living or visiting here. You can literally get a fine for almost anything.

Just a few examples,
Fine for littering (S$500).
Fine for crossing street outside of designated crosswalks.
Fine for chewing gum.
Fine for honking.
Fine for spitting.
My favorite, fine for dirty car. haha.. this is awesome…
My favorite, favorite, fine for not flushing public toilet after use. Should be a global rule, although I wonder how they enforce it

Rules aside, this does feel like a very safe and organized place! People seem friendly. It’s very diverse here, everyone seems to be living harmoniously together.  The MRT here is incredibly clean, high-tech and beautiful.  All the trains are connected and open on the inside.  Its amazing!  All the food, including street food and tap water are safe for tourists..  And they have a killer Chili Crab dish here.. I had it today.  It was yummy!

Little India is bustling and truly Indian feeling, not that I’ve been to India before.  It felt authentic to me.  The streets were filled with flower shops, gold shops, sari shops, eateries, veggie stands, spice shops… It was a sensory overload experience.  I loved it!

Chinatown was also believablely real.  The music, the food, the people, the night stands, it all brought Alex and I back to China last night.

Arab street was also interesting, filled with beautiful fabric shops, carpet shops, small restaurants and Muslim women with scarfs.  I actually felt slightly disrespectful and out of place wearing the dress that I wore  walking around the area.  But people were friendly!

Its late now. I’ve got to sleep.  Singapore is a beautiful, orderly and modern place.  I like it alot!