It's More Than Just Clean

CEBU, Philippines - Mention the word “Singapore”, and people will immediately say, “It’s very clean!”

It certainly is true. The fine for littering is 1,000 Singapore dollars, which everyone could put to good use elsewhere, thus no one litters. I believe Singapore is clean because they are conscious about preserving the environment. Recycling stations are scattered visibly throughout the city. Singapore is a green metropolis. Its high-rise buildings can challenge those of New York, yet a tree-lined street is never far away.

The National Orchid Garden located in the Singapore Botanic Gardens is a delight to visit. It holds the largest amount of orchid species in the world. Walking in there feels like walking through Wonderland. Some orchids reminded me of spotted animals. It is there that I first saw an orchid that was black and looked like an insect.

I noticed there was a lot of construction going on in the city—which means there must be money flowing in the country. There’s one unfinished structure with what looked like a massive boat on top of three skyscrapers. It’s certainly head-turning.

Cigarette packs in convenience stores show graphic pictures of tongue and skin diseases that may result from smoking. The government hopes to disgust smokers into quitting.

My friend Jing is working in Singapore, and she gave us a lot of information about the city state. My husband asked what rules we should know about while visiting to which Jing emphasized that gum is banned in Singapore. I thought she was only joking, but she assured me she wasn’t. Naturally, I was chewing gum while we were having this conversation. 

Jing said Singaporeans jaywalk a lot and that they are honest people. There is no need to be wary when taking a taxi, for example, as taxi drivers won’t deceive you or anything like that. She also said it is a safe place.

Singapore was a British colony, which explains why we were driving on the wrong side of the street! Because of the British influence, most Singaporeans can speak English, but “good luck understanding them,” Jing commented.

Before visiting Singapore, I assumed the population was mostly Chinese. When we arrived at the airport, I noticed that information signs were written in English, Chinese and two other languages I later learned to be Indian and Malay. I was surprised to discover that Singapore is a melting pot, with immigrants coming from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and India. It is probably the Asian equivalent of New York.

I noticed that Singaporeans are well-dressed, and this is directly related to the fact that Singapore is synonymous to “Shopping”. Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Burberry have a palpable presence there. On Orchard Road is a shopping center called Ion Orchard, composed of several floors including three basements. In this shopping center, the higher floors are occupied by the designer brands that average earners are intimidated by. You know those stores. You walk in, glance at the price tag and inwardly gasp. “1,600 Singapore dollars for a hand bag! That’s more than my month’s rent!” You slink away slowly and try your best to look nonchalant.

Jing said she prefers to shop at the basements, where the shops are more affordable. She calls this activity “basement shopping”.

Jing informed me that Singaporeans like to eat out, and sure enough, there are scores of restaurants around and there are never long waiting lines for tables. We went to Clarke Quay, the busy commercial wharf with one restaurant lined up after another. There is one with a hospital theme called Clinic. Hospital gurneys and operating table lights serve as decors, and wheelchairs are for patrons to sit in. Drinks are served in dextrose bags hanging from stands. 

There were several clubs, as well in Clarke Quay. Many young people lingered at the wide bridge leading to Clarke Quay. People sat on the ledge and held drinking sessions. It looked messy. Jing said the trash was collected in the morning. I wondered if people did litter after all.

Jing wanted to go to Hooter’s for dinner (I love their slogan: “Delightfully tacky yet unrefined”). It had recently opened and she hadn’t gone there yet. We were waited on by several ladies wearing white tank tops with the Hooters logo and orange hot pants. There was one particularly attractive woman of Indian descent. She had dark, fine skin and luscious long hair. Jing said many Indians migrate to Singapore, and those who were born and grew up there call themselves Singapore Indians.

The next night we ate at an Italian Restaurant in Clarke Quay called Borgata. They have the best Carbonara dish I have ever tasted. They also serve Turkish ice cream, German sausages and sushi. The food represent the diverse spirit of Singapore.

Singapore is progressive, hip, urban yet nature loving. People are varied but harmonious.

There is much more to it than just a clean state. (Photos: wikipedia.com and timeoutsingapore. com)