Star Trek's vision of the future is compelling: peace and harmony amongst the races; compassionate fellas making big decisions; the seat of government a high-tech, garden city. Singapore resembles those remarks!
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Sometimes you need to take a step back and look at the big picture; put things in perspective; consider the context. During my seven months in Singapore, I have been making my way around the island, getting to know the many neighborhoods, unique sights, and attractions. I have also recently discovered the “panorama” setting on my camera. :) Behold some sweeping views of the Little Red Dot: Don't let anyone kid you - it's hot and steamy in Singapore. But like it's reliable transit system, the weather is also very predicable. Temperatures meander between 80 F during the "cool" part of the day/night and 90 F when the sun pops out. Showers are a daily occurrence, and average humidity is 84.2% (National Environment Agency). These facts make sight seeing a bit of a challenge - unless you adopt a nocturnal strategy. Not only does the temperature drop when the sun goes down, but so does the humidity. Mornings are often a sticky 90% or more, but mid-afternoon typically dips to around 60% (when it isn't raining). So things get cooler and more comfortable as the day wears on, but what does heat up is Singapore's high tech, nighttime light-scape (...suddenly, afternoon naps make even more sense). One notable hot spot is surrounding Marina Bay. One side of the Marina Bay Sands mega-building is covered by a delightful, reflective metal screen. When the many, small, dangling, square metal paddles catch the frequent breezes, the reflection of the surrounding city lights is reminiscent of wind waves on water. The effect can be quite mesmerizing. There is also a daily light show, projected from the Marina Bay Sands building. Folks gather on the promenade along the water to witness the lasers, water displays, and other light effects. I don't recommend that you start sleeping upside down, but daytime drowsing, lots of tropical fruit, and nights filled with exploring isn't only rewarding for Singapore's bats.
On my recent business trip to China, I felt like a kid again as I walked around Terminal 3 of Beijing's International Airport (PEK). The surreal space felt akin to a childlike daydream, and inspired me to create my own "PEK ABC List" (watch out Richard Scarry): A is for Airport B is for Big, and in Beijing C is for China, and Colossal D is for Dragons, Dragon sculptures E is for Everything under one roof F is for Food (sort of - see photos below), and an indoor Fountain G is for an indoor Chinese Garden H is for Huge and Humongous I is for “I was In an Immense Interior” J is for Jim (that’s me, speaking above in line “I”) K is for KLM and Korean Air, which both fly in and out of PEK L is for Large, very Large M is for Muffins, that should be waffles (see photo below) N is for Nice design, Norman! (Sir Norman Foster - the architect - of Foster and Partners) O is for Overhanging roof P is for Plenty of People Q is for Qi, or the circulating life energy that in Chinese philosophy is thought to be inherent in all things - even giant buildings R is for a Really large Roof Resting on (sometimes) Red (sometimes white) columns S is for the Space frame behind the ceiling Slats T is for Travelator (many of them), Terminal Three (that is the big one), Triangular skylights, and Trains (high-speed rail is just outside, as well as other Transit modes) U is for everything Under one roof V is for Vaulted spaces (especially the High-Speed Rail Station) W is for Waffles, that are called muffins (see photo below) X is for Xi Jinping - the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, the President of the People's Republic of China, and the Chairman of the Central Military Commission Z is for Ziwei Chenhang, an ancient armillary sphere invented in 117 by Zhang Heng according to the theory of sphere-heavens and observations of celestial bodies (see photos below) If only my relative Albert Hencke (illustrator, 1865-1936) was still alive, we might be able to collaborate on a new children's classic. PS: here are links to some charming illustrations by Albert Hencke: http://www.playle.com/listing.php?i=KDL77398 http://www.rubylane.com/item/187590-HEN04212011/Ex78ceptional-Pair-Illustration-Paintings-Albert When I realized that I might be moving to Singapore, my research revealed the existence of a purported "shopping mecca" called Orchard Road. The Lonely Planet Pocket SINGAPORE Guidebook describes the strip as an "Olympic-sized training ground" for "Singapore's national sport" - shopping. Being someone who suffers from Shopping Mall-Narcolepsy (self diagnosis), I knew that Orchard Road would be a lower sightseeing priority for me than, say, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. Last night, however, I was "called up" to join the shopping national team by my flatmates. A few highlights:
We had hoped to see the switch turned on for the annual Holiday Lights extravaganza, but it turned out that we were a week early - even so, the lighting was still impressive. Below, I present to you a few images of what you are missing if you can't make it here for the Holidays. If you like crowds and shopping malls, man, you are gonna love this place. PS: I hope to update this in a week or two when the rest of the lights are on, and shining even brighter. I recently moved out of my hotel room in Chinatown, and into a shared flat in a place called Senkang. Senkang is a recently developing, planned community being constructed by the government of Singapore. Although a “New Town” and transit-oriented development (TOD), I call the area an “urb-burb” because: 1) it is located about as far as possible outside of Singapore’s central business district [second to last subway stop on the Purple Line] and 2) in a place decidedly more “urban” [in terms of density] than most American suburban locations this far from downtown. Consider my new neighborhood's "WalkScore" rating of 50 out of 100: (http://www.walkscore.com/score/301D-anchorvale-drive-singapore). "This address is Somewhat Walkable — some errands can be accomplished on foot. Walk to coffee nearby at Anchorvale 303 and to the grocery store at Seng Seng Chiang Chop. Local restaurants inside the Compass Point Shopping Mall include McDonald's, Sakae Sushi, Burger King, Soup Restaurant, Subway, Pizza Hut, Icing Room, and KFC. Close by schools include Nan Chiau High School." In other words... dense suburbs. Compare this to my old neighborhood - Cully in NE Portland, which I thought was pretty suburban - it earns a Walk Score of 55 out of 100 (http://www.walkscore.com/score/ne-57th-ave-and-ne-emerson-st-portland-or-97218). "This address is Somewhat Walkable so some amenities near Northeast 57th Avenue & Northeast Emerson Street are within walking distance. Walk to coffee nearby at Miss Zumstein Bakery, Coffee Shop, Cakes & Desserts and to the grocery store at Angel Food & Fun. Local restaurants include Era's Tiny Dinner, Old School BBQ, Taqueria Delicias Mexicanas, Prescott Cafe, Sugar Shack, A Little Bit of Smoke, Sub Shop, and Old Salt Marketplace. Close by schools include Trinity Lutheran School." Cully also gets a decent BikeScore - with my old street getting an 84 out of 100, or "Very Bike-able" (http://www.walkscore.com/OR/Portland/Cully#bikescore). Senkang does not yet have a "BikeScore" but most folks I see pedaling two-wheelers are riding on the sidewalk. There is much good news about my move: I get along well with my flat-mates (Karaoke, anyone?), I can use the kitchen (it is common practice here to bar “room renters” from kitchen use - cruel, I know…), my room is affordable by Singapore standards (S$800/month), has been recently updated (new furnishings, paint, air conditioning, appliances, etc.), and is a short walk to a frequent service, high-capacity rail transit station (which, in 25 minutes, whisks me directly to a station a short walk from my place of employment). The area immediately surrounding the station does serve most of my daily needs, since it includes a variety of restaurants, markets, retail, and health services. If only the block faces were not 800 feet long... and those elevated pedestrian crossings make my urban design sensibilities squirm! |