Europeans and Americans who have not been to Singapore think that we are all martial arts exponents donning traditional Chinese silk and doing all things Chinese here. Some who have visited expressed their surprise and dismay that it is so modern and Westernised (not Chinese enough); and too organised and clean, unlike the impressions they have of Asian cities.
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The truth is somewhere in between, as there are some places, like Orchard Road, that are very Westernised, and some places like the Waterloo Street area, that are very Chinese. Some say the latter is even more Chinese than Chinatown. You can judge it for yourself from the pixs. My Taiwanese friend thinks that it is even more Chinese than Taipei! That means it is even more Chinese than a capital city that sometimes claims to be the rightful heir of China. Taiwan also have not gone through the Cultural Revolution and is highly motivated to remain more Chinese than the mainland Chinese are!
The truth is somewhere in between, as there are some places, like Orchard Road, that are very Westernised, and some places like the Waterloo Street area, that are very Chinese. Some say the latter is even more Chinese than Chinatown. You can judge it for yourself from the pixs. My Taiwanese friend thinks that it is even more Chinese than Taipei! That means it is even more Chinese than a capital city that sometimes claims to be the rightful heir of China. Taiwan also have not gone through the Cultural Revolution and is highly motivated to remain more Chinese than the mainland Chinese are!
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We started in the Fu Lu Shou (Fortune, Success and Longevity) shopping centre...
"Hall Full of Gold and Jade"
This is a Thai Buddhist shrine. Devotees come here to pay their respects and also consult the lady inside about their future.
Notice the brigade of untidily parked trishaws in the background?
Very unlike the usual prim and proper orderliness of Singapore.
close up
Here's how aura pixs are taken using Kerlian photography.
I had mine taken too. ... more
These pigs rotate around greeting visitors to the shopping mall.
I love those kitchy Chinese colors! :)
A Buddhist artifact shop.
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Outside, there is this pig greeting everyone.
Then I notice a little Thai dancer figurine on the lower right corner. See next pix...
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This Thai figurine welcomes the visitor to pick up a rolled paper containing 4 digits (4D).
*sigh* She is encouraging gambling
- not a good karma to have as for one to win, many have to lose.
Inside the shop... lotsa glitter...
The Buddha with his protectors at his side...
It has been a long time since I have seen a notice board with only Chinese posts.
This one is rare, in multi-lingual and multi-racial Singapore.
Usually there are dollar bills inside during Chinese New Year!
When I was a child, it was called "Ang Pow" in Hokkien.
But nowadays, people speak Mandarin more and called them "Hong Bao".
In Singapore, we even change our languages with the times. *sigh*
I come back after 20 years and the natives now speak different languages.
It feels surreal!
Broaches and gold nuggets.
Incense sticks are meant to be aromatic, but Chinese ones are mostly just saw dusts.
Originally, they were made of dried flowers so that when burned their fragrances can still be enjoyed during the winter months.
The smoke coming from the incense sticks meandering to the sky symbolises our eternal spiritual evolution; and that though we may experience ups and downs in life, like the meandering of the smoke, in the long term we evolve progressively through the cycles of samsara by reincarnation.
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Incense paper
Dried fish stomach and shitake mushrooms
Outside a feng shui and face reading shop ...more
"Weight Gaining Centre".
No, you didn't read wrongly. This one is special.
Especially when there is only 1.6% of obese people in Singapore.
Most Singaporeans spent a lot to keep slim.
One happy customer.
Guess which one!
Free Buddhist books.
I took one entitled, "Reflections" by No Ajahn Chah
Very inspiring book.
Bigfoot
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, all our meridian points passes through our feet.
Massaging the soles therefore clears the energy blocks due to toxins.
Different parts of the foot correlates to different organs the meridians lead to and serve.
A crowd gathers around some kung fu flicks on TV.
God of Fortune
Don't worry, more money coming in ...
Here it is,... it says "Wealth" on his tummy!
Hey! He even has a pink nipple!!! haha
This is the famous Waterloo Street Kuan Yin Temple.
It has this crowd of devotees everyday.
Lotus and Chrysantenum.
The Buddha with his protectors at his side...
It has been a long time since I have seen a notice board with only Chinese posts.
This one is rare, in multi-lingual and multi-racial Singapore.
Usually there are dollar bills inside during Chinese New Year!When I was a child, it was called "Ang Pow" in Hokkien.
But nowadays, people speak Mandarin more and called them "Hong Bao".
In Singapore, we even change our languages with the times. *sigh*
I come back after 20 years and the natives now speak different languages.
It feels surreal!
Broaches and gold nuggets.
Incense sticks are meant to be aromatic, but Chinese ones are mostly just saw dusts.
Originally, they were made of dried flowers so that when burned their fragrances can still be enjoyed during the winter months.
The smoke coming from the incense sticks meandering to the sky symbolises our eternal spiritual evolution; and that though we may experience ups and downs in life, like the meandering of the smoke, in the long term we evolve progressively through the cycles of samsara by reincarnation.
.
Incense paper Dried fish stomach and shitake mushrooms Outside a feng shui and face reading shop ...more
"Weight Gaining Centre".No, you didn't read wrongly. This one is special.
Especially when there is only 1.6% of obese people in Singapore.
Most Singaporeans spent a lot to keep slim.
One happy customer.Guess which one!
Free Buddhist books.I took one entitled, "Reflections" by No Ajahn Chah
Very inspiring book.
BigfootIn Traditional Chinese Medicine, all our meridian points passes through our feet.
Massaging the soles therefore clears the energy blocks due to toxins.
Different parts of the foot correlates to different organs the meridians lead to and serve.
A crowd gathers around some kung fu flicks on TV.
God of FortuneDon't worry, more money coming in ...
Here it is,... it says "Wealth" on his tummy!Hey! He even has a pink nipple!!! haha
This is the famous Waterloo Street Kuan Yin Temple.It has this crowd of devotees everyday.
Lotus and Chrysantenum. Lotus symbolises that beauty can emerge even from murky waters or humble beginnings.
Flowers offered to the Gods symbolises impermanence.
Fruits symbolises wisdom.
(Non-hindu) Chinese people praying the Chinese way, outside a Hindu Temple.
Can only happen in Singapore, I think.
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