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Singapore: Diversity on Every Corner
ID # 3778
Singapore is a wonderful example of diversity, integration, efficiency, and culture. All of the photos below are a testament to the wonderful facets of Singaporean culture and history. Not only should they give you a visual image of this wonderful island but they should get you thinking about how all of these wonderful cultures cohabitate peacefully. How does each culture preserve its individuality? How does it do so within the broader context of the nation? Think about these questions and others as you explore this beautiful island! Welcome to Singapore!
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Singapore shows it is culturally aware the moment you step off your 24 hour flight! This large wall display, that you can see as you ride down the escalator to find your suitcase, is filled from corner to corner with warm greetings in various languages from around the globe – many of which are spoken in Singapore! This sign is the ultimate expression of the nations bold, cultural expression and exuberant global community. Whether youre Arab, Chinese, European, Indian, or Malay, Singapore says, Welcome!
Keeping a careful watch over Singapore is this man, Sir Thomas Stanford Bingley Raffles, a British politician and diplomat. Raffles founded the nation as an outpost for British trade and officially founded the nation in 1819. If there is one thing Singapore is proud of, it’s this man! Anything from streets and restaurants to buildings and schools are named in his honor and it is a great sense of pride. Imagine you and friends are out exploring shops around the river. Sir Raffles will be there to welcome you to Singapore.
You may find yourself a bit sweaty the moment you leave the Singapore airport. My advice? A wonderful way to cool off is to visit a local hawker stand – a large food court – and pick up one of these from the sweets shop: an ice cold Chendol! This sweet drink, made of crushed ice, coconut milk, red beans, palm sugar and yummy green jellies, is delicious to share with friends or keep all to yourself. The sweet treat is one of the most popular treats in all of South East Asia and various shops claim to have the best in the world. Youll have to visit and decide for yourself.
All cooled off, it’s time to travel around this beautiful island. A great way to see Singapores diversity is in the way it incorporates various cultures in one area. As this view of downtown shows, its not difficult to find yourself eye to eye with more than three aspects of culture at one time. The Sri Mariamman temple, the Indo-European tailor shop and the latest housing development show how Singapore incorporates social culture, religion, and city development into one beautiful example of how Singapore incorporates its diversity into a beautiful sight for all to see.
Up close and personal! The Sri Mariamman Temple is the place of worship for South Indian Tamil Hindu Singaporeans. During the day, the temple stands out beautifully against the Singaporean sun. Each caricature is individually sculpted and placed within this beautiful structure that tops the temple. At night, the temple lights up with caricatures and artwork telling the stories of Hindu gods and goddesses for worshippers and visitors to enjoy! All of this is nestled with downtown Singapore!
The Sri Mariamman Temple is just the first of many diverse cultures that call Singapore home. Just minutes from the temple is Chinatown! While China may be 3,000 miles away, bustling Chinatown is filled with trinkets, cuisines, music, and more to make you feel like you’re already there. Just a few minutes of winding in and out of tiny shops and you’ll forget where you are! Between the mom and pop shops selling beautiful lanterns, chopsticks and headdresses to the restaurants overflowing with bubble tea, theres tons to do, tons to see and even more to eat and experience.
After you’ve had your fix of bubble tea, Chinese fans, and the occasional dragon fruit, a nighttime stroll through beautiful Little India is a wonderful way to not only experience a new culture but stay immersed in the range of cultures and community all nestled with the island. Even when its dark outside the rich reds, gorgeous golds, and fiery fuchsias of this sari shop in Little India promises to wow anyone that catches its eye. Nestled within the hustle and bustle of people, malls, and busy streets, this shop attracts the most fashionable of women! A quick conversation with the shopkeeper and you might even be able to try on a sari for yourself!
After a good night’s rest, a trip to the Arab Quarter is a wonderful way to spend a few lazy hours browsing through beautiful shops, catching a few clips of the latest World Cup game or reading in a local cafe. The Arab Quarter is home to thousands of Arab Muslims. Take a glance in the wonderful shops to see embroidered dresses, scarves, jewelry, Qu’rans and trinkets. A five minute walk will bring you face to face with the beautiful Masjid Sultan mosque on Bugis Street. If youre lucky, while roaming the wonderful Arab shops, street markets, book stores and religious stores, youll get to hear the beautiful sounds of the call to prayer and watch as hundreds walk into the mosque to complete their prayers and fellowship with friends and family.
One of the most wonderful parts of Singapore is the way it blends together various cultures, religions, art, and ideologies into a unique and effective nation. While this is also a very complex issue, not just in Singapore but all over the world, Singapore has done a wonderful job of embracing culture and transforming those differences into a beautifully planned atmosphere. A great example is this sign. Each street name is translated into each of the major languages spoken in the country. Doing so allows all inhabitants to live in Singapore and truly feel that they not only represent their own personal cultures but play a role in forming Singaporean culture as well.