Thursday afternoon in Singapore:
Singapore has been criticized for being a nanny state, among other things, but one thing that was apparent to me in my visit was that, in addition to being modern, clean and prosperous, it is vibrantly multi-cultural, at least in Asian terms. Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Malaysian, and more, all seem to coalesce into a single working society. Of course, that's based on my limited outsider's experience.
I had a free afternoon to get out and about for some photos -in and around the city, and into the ethnic enclaves. I wish I'd had more time, if anything to try even more local food.
A woman tends to a flower stand in Little India.
As in many places in Asia, clothes dryers are rare in apartment complexes.
Just a degree north of the Equator, the sun beats down hard in Singapore. Umbrellas are common even on sunny days.
American chains abound, from Borders Books to Hooters. McDonalds are outnumbered only by Starbucks.
A sleepy magazine stand caters to a segment of the market that Borders Books misses.
Sari city.
The shopping district on Orchard Road is a monument to Asian consumerism.
Mall after mall after mall after mall, most populated by Western outlets, line the street. It's Chestnut Hill writ large.
Back in Chinatown, a cobbler works outside.
Women return from a shopping excursion at the Tekka shopping center.
A neighborhood shopping center near Bugis Village. No Starbucks or Borders here.
Do these colors match?
A local restaurant features Tiger beer, which, I can attest, tastes pretty good on a hot Singapore day, even with ice in the glass.
Nothing but sandals and flip-flops in this shop. Well, maybe a couple of loafers.
Inspecting the merchandise.
Many of the skyscrapers in the financial district were designed with feng shui in mind.
Others were designed simply to be distinctive.
There seem to be some personal space issues in this conversation.
People's Park place in Chinatown.
A row of shops on Serangoon Road.
Red hot chili peppers.
Another flower stand.
Cultures coexisting.
Two men walk near the mosque in the Pakistani area.
Rubbing the Buddha's stomach for luck. It worked for me. I got an aisle seat on the way home.
The city has a modern, efficient subway that puts the T to shame.
Another view of the financial district high-rises along the Singapore River.