20.6.07

Singapore stop-over

At long last, I am back on the net.

About ten days ago my husband and I left the rain behind and landed in Singapore. Our carrier, Qantas (Australian’s national carrier), uses Singapore as one of its line feeder bases. Passengers arriving from various Australian centres by smaller aircraft are sorted out and transferred into larger crafts here, for their final destinations. Hence, most Australians, including us, visit this city-nation almost as often as we leave our country.

Our first visit here was over 40 - 50 years ago. In those days, Singapore was a small, poor & smelly backward fishing village, that the only good thing about it was, its cheap tailoring shops. These, lined the main shopping dirt road, with their owners greeting you, their pray, already from a distance. They will lure you by calling you, run after you, beggar you with their reduce prices, and practically lasso you into their domain with the quality of their wares and expertise; till eventually you succumb. And succumb you did, just like I did.

However, I never regretted it; I got the most beautiful ensemble of trousers, skirt and top, made in the local style I was after, coloured in various light tan shades and some mauve here and there, made in pure high quality silk - for the ridiculous price of 50 Australian pounds.

Today, Singapore is a beautiful, clean, modern, and world-renowned city that competes with Hong Kong. It has become a centre for shipping and finance as well as a centre for international conventions; with many shopping centres and a highly developed computer assembly industry and tourism.

Singapore transformation was driven by just one person – by Lee Kuan Yew. Lee Kuan Yew Yu served as Singapore’s prime minister from 1959 till 1990. His philosophy, as I heard him say in a TV interview many years ago, was that he was guided by China’s greatest philosopher, Confucius, in all he did, and in every step he took. AND what a success!

Already as you arrive in Changi airport you can feel the order, the cleanliness and the thoughtful attention to every detail: the beautiful and well-executed terminals AND, the smiling immigration officers with the awaiting candies on their counter; offered free as a welcome gesture.

Leaving the airport, you drive along the wide road that carries you through parks with large tropical trees and shrubs laden flowers to your destination. Everything around is beautifully cared for and spotless, and the humidity, at this time of the year, is very high. However, as all places are air-conditioned, it’s not too bad.

Singapore offers you shopping and more shopping and entertainment as well, and 3 days here, as far as I am concerned, are all one needs. This gives you a break from the long flight you have just finished and the longer one that is in front of you. And by the way, tipping is illegal here…

Renate
Artist, poet & the Author of

From the Promised Land to the Lucky Country


http://www.promisedland-renate.com/

7.6.07

Rain at last

Rain! We have rain at long last and everyone is ecstatic. It is the second day already and it does not seem as if it’s going to stop. Who knows, perhaps we will even get some floods as well? If we do, all this water will unfortunately be lost, as we have no dams where the floods usually occur. However, we hope that the dames we do have –will get some of the water.

In the meantime, the plants are celebrating. They have lifted their heads and leaves have turned to green. Our farmers are celebrating as well, as many of them were already at the verge of bankruptcy, and fruit and vegetable price were going to hit the roof!

All in all, excellent news for all concern.

Renate
Artist, poet & the Author of
 From the Promised Land to the Lucky Country  

http://www.promisedland-renate.com/


Bicurim feast in the kibbutz highschool
Hi Walter and Annette, Thanks for the feedback. Pleased you enjoyed reading it. What happened to the boat, comes in a period after the book ends and maybe a part of the next book...