Singapore is no exception to the above. A strange, exotic island nation located at the tip of the Malaysian peninsula, Singapore is about as far from life in British Columbia, Canada that you can get.
New sights, smells, and sounds are encountered at every turn, making a casual walk down any given street an adventure in of itself, as one never knows what strange sights or people may be lurking around each corner. Known for its cosmopolitan flair, Singapore Is unlike any city I’ve ever been to. Four million people of all different races and creeds living side by side, each celebrating their own cultures and beliefs and freely encouraged by the state to do so. On any given bus you may hear half a dozen languages being spoken, and a block of restaurants in any given neighbourhood may include a variety of food from Indian to Chinese to Malaysian to Japanese to McDonald’s. I have to say that all in all, the experience living here is beyond culture shock
One aspect of traveling that I particularly enjoy is the opportunity to experience first hand new and oftentimes strange customs and aspects of every day life that are commonplace in foreign countries and that are unique to cultures different from my own. Singapore is a city that easily facilitates this, as many different ethnic groups have converged here, primarily Chinese, Indian, Malay and ol’ Whitey. Such a diverse mix has resulted in quite a unique cultural vibe, one that has produced a number of fascinating traditions and institutions.
The first of these institutions are popularly known as “cinemas” or “picture houses.” Each “cinema” houses a number of different screening rooms, each projecting a series of images run through a projector at the rate of 24 frames a second, creating the illusion of movement. Furthermore, these images are synched to sound and music, creating a multi-sensory experience that has to be seen (and heard) to be fully appreciated. These “picture houses” provide great relief from the hot, afternoon sun, as each screening room is equipped with the most advanced air-conditioning technology. They also offer cheap local snacks in the form of “popped corn” which I highly recommend; it is quite delicious.
Another fixture along the streets of Singapore is what is known as “7-11,” which offers convenience at a low cost. Most of these “7-11’s” are within a block of one another, offering even greater convenience in the sense that you don’t have to walk very far in the merciless heat in order to satisfy that Twinkie crave. Perhaps the most unique and satisfying offering provided by the “7-11” chain is a popular local drink called the “Slurpee,” a delicious combination of crushed ice and chemically enhanced fruit flavouring.
Another seemingly popular institution among Singaporeans is a chain of coffee shops known as “Starbucks.” Like “7-11,” Starbucks cafes seem to be located on every block and on each level of each shopping mall; a testament to the popularity of coffee culture here. Most Starbucks cafes offer a range of different coffee related drinks and products, and provide customers with a relaxing environment in which to read, surf the web, or chat with friends, all the while creating a disturbingly institutionalized trendiness that seems to leave a bitter taste in one’s mouth long after the last drips of coffee have been drunk.
Although a little more obscure than “Starbucks,” the Singaporean shops known as “comic book shops” are also worthwhile exploring for an insight into the local literary tastes. From what I can tell, these "comic books" are filled to the brim with an array of brightly coloured books and other paraphernalia depicting men and women dressed in brightly clad spandex and capes running around bashing each other over the head.
Next: The 10 Courts of Hell
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