Vietnam – An Inspiration and true lesson in Humanity

If you had to choose a random place on a map that you wanted to experience and learn from, where would it be and why? I had no expectations when I decided that place would be Vietnam, I knew too little about her and I wanted to know more, so why would anyone go to Vietnam? The question I ask is why not. It’s no surprise that it’s becoming a hot spot destination. Its exotic, it’s beautiful, there’s a lot to offer and it’s cheap. I knew Vietnam was going to be special but I didn’t realize it was going to have such a major effect on me. This piece is not about what’s hot and not for travel in Vietnam , it’s a bit deeper and its very personal it’s the things I’ve loved and learnt while there and the reasons why  I call it one of the most incredible countries on earth …

So much Beauty

If you go to this land for only one reason it should be to witness its outstanding and diverse Beauty. There are postcard landscapes everywhere   . I say Diverse because one minute you walking in a dense gum tree forest and the next you on pristine white sand blue water beach. Some of the key spots of immense beauty are

·         the Danang and Nha Trang coastline, Driving along the coast you get to see the the Vietnamese fishing Villages and it’s all very beautiful, its coast and lush green vegetation all in one breath taking surrounding, My regret is that I did not spend enough time here to explore everything the region had to offer like the marble caves and all the water sports, But it was pure relaxation in every sense and it’s on my go back list.

·         The cities themselves are very beautiful particularly Hue (Pronounced “hway” or “whey”) it is the ancient imperial capital of Vietnam and is filled with myths and tales and so much of history, I loved the Perfumed River and the story about the princess it was named for. At night the city lights up and so does the bridges over the perfumed river.  It reminded me of Paris I was charmed by Hue and her beautiful pagodas and lakes.

·         Hanoi had French beauty especially the French quarter   . I loved the old buildings and old quarter streets. It had chaos just like any city would be, but in the center is this glorious lake and theres lush beauty throughout.

·         The most nostalgic scene in Vietnam is Hoi an at night. The lanterns floating on the river in the old town is beauty like you cannot believe. It transported me to another world. Shopping at the tailors was lovely the streets are vibrant and the entire city of Hoi an is like living in an Asian Fairy tale.

·         Saigon is a sight to behold, it’s one of the largest most densely populated cities in Asia but it’s absolutely charming. The chaos of the thousands of motorbikes on the roads is an incredible and I couldn’t stop staring and marveling at it. It’s an exciting place with energy and an amazing street culture it’s got vibe it’s on trend and it has personality.

·          My Favorite and ultimate Natural destination was Halong Bay. The pics don’t do it justice, sailing amongst the limestone formations you are definitely transported into a timeless place of fantasy. I can understand why it has an attained Natural Wonder status.

The People

Vietnams people have been through hell and back and yet they have the most gracious and lovely attitudes, particularly those in the south. I found the old people to be very loving. They couldn’t speak a word of English but there was no barrier to the warmth they radiated. It’s normal to walk on the streets of HCMC (Saigon) and be greeted by everyone you pass. when I first landed in HCMC I was bombarded with stares,  it’s not very common to see an Indian here so you can imagine the stir I caused lol , I have never met friendlier immigration officers before .They were very interested in SA and then the guy asked me for money , and I’m thinking oh oh they want a bribe,  but I clarified and he wanted SA currency  for his collection.  l found that to be so cool luckily I had a R20 note, but like I said to have an immigration officer that smiles and jokes is a rare thing.

So what are people like?

·         The old people were a total delight they work up to crazy old ages and I admire that , I need to remind you that the old people in Vietnam lived through the war so they have seen so much in their lives but they continue to live it so well and with such amazing attitudes . while the south was warm and friendly , the older folks in the north seemed very cold and distant almost Machine like I found the difference startling actually polar opposites , but I think there’s years of history that goes behind the reasons as to why the attitudes are so different . The one thing I can say about the north thou is that they have that Vietnamese drive as well, everyone works really hard and begging is rare.

·         The youth throughout Vietnam were friendly and curious,  they engage you in conversation and are like sponges that absorb what you say,  and are willing to learn anything and everything, I find them to be highly motivated and so humble. The education levels are high and a college education is encouraged, it’s not that expensive either. I think the focus is on the correct fields and they are a very bright lot so I’m expecting great things from Vietnam in the future. It’s easy to judge a countries future by the quality of its youth. And Vietnam’s youth stand out as been set for success. They love the same things youth around the world love, they technology crazy and have tons of passion for English premier league football. They definitely know how to party , we were at a up market club in Nha trang, “ the sailing club “ and when you watched the young hip Vietnamese youngsters on the floor they were bursting with energy and vibe and that was definitely a highlight for me. 

The people you meet …

I’ve met many colorful characters in my time there, people who I will always remember because It was so easy to connect with them on a deep human level, but that’s the thing about people here they connect on that basic level and I loved it .Those that stand out ...

·         The Bia Hoi Bar owner- a 90 year old that’s on her feet and getting patrons to guzzle down her 30cent Bia , when I went to say goodbye to her I got the warmest hug.  I’ll probably remember the way it felt for a very long time because even though we couldn’t converse she was authentic and so was her affection.

·          MR BINH My guide on the Cu Chi Excursion was a ex army officer he unfortunately was on the American and south Vietnam side during the war , to get his perspective was invaluable , to hear his stories and how things changed once it was over was a blessing ,there was also something very personal about this man and how he could share the tragic details of his life and his years spent in guilt feeling like a traitor ,but once again he resonates with me because of his authenticity and I loved that I learned so much from this old wonderful soul.

·         I will always remember the side walk restaurant owner and his family, he sold Pho on the side of the old Hoi An town river we sat on the little kiddies chairs and spoke to him for a long time about his life and his family, and He has a great attitude even though you can tell he struggles. He has high hopes for their future and wants the best for his little girl. His not willing to leave Vietnam his staying and he wants it to succeed.

              Actually I can’t think of many people in Vietnam that were not kind and warm there is something  very real about these people , and I learned so much from them they open up to you with ease and that’s genuine . There is no question that these people are willing to work hard to survive and live better life, they live with hope and courage and I loved that.

The lessons it teaches you AND THE questions it forces you to ask …

•  “Why can’t they just leave me alone? All they want is money!”

So let me be open and honest  ,  The one thing that you will find annoying as a tourist is how you are hounded to buy stuff from hawkers carrying heavy baskets of knick knacks , especially in areas known to have many tourists . They need that business badly, but it’s not that easy to support every hawker. Tourism is fairly young as an industry but its fast becoming a source of income to many people. It’s a way to survive so understand what your tourist dollar means to the ordinary street hawker. My take on it is you at least acknowledge them and smile with a no thank you, at the risk of them seeing it as an open invitation to solicit your purchase. Because some tourists tend to just ignore them completely and I never had the heart to do that. Here is someone who’s toiling away, so determined to make a living, yes you don’t want the crap she’s selling but when she’s right there in front of you, is it humanly possible to ignore her or say no rudely? I couldn’t do it … I feel you don’t have to buy what they sell, but personally I could not just make like they weren’t there, when they were right in front of me trying desperately to get me to at least look at them . I wish I took money to help each one of them, but such is the reality …

My saddest moment in Vietnam was in Hanoi when a very old lady selling some ornamental hat type contraption walked up to me and asked me to buy,  I didn’t really want it but something in her face showed that she needed it she was definitely In pain and was far too old to be outside in that heat . I remember that I was very convinced that I needed to support her but before I could get out my money, we had to get onto the bus which could not wait due to being illegally parked. I walked away from her and that image haunted me, knowing you should help someone but you not doing it, it’s a terrible feeling.  The Vietnamese will never ask for a handout but they will hound you to buy, they question is how do you say no?

• No one is a victim of circumstance- everyone is prepared to work hard!

There is so much of hope in these people and  so much to admire , one of the horrible legacy’s of the war is the effects of agent orange- the dangerous poison that was unleashed by America on the Vietnamese - it has caused terrible deformities , cancer and still births and the effects of it still goes on 4 generations later . I met victims of Agent Orange and people with these deformities but they too have found a living .Many of the disabled work with handicrafts and produce the most beautiful lacquer work. That’s so admirable, that they are not victims of circumstance but are willing to not give in even though life has dealt them such terrible fates.

• Pride in your land, Pride in who you are and where you come from

There’s a great sense of pride in these people one thing that will strike you if you look carefully is that every home, even in the most remote fishing villages is that they have a national flag proudly waving from the front door, they might not have much but they have pride and love for their land and that’s definitely clear.

• Neatness and cleanliness yet another show of self pride

Vietnam is very clean , the streets in the cities are clean and generally it was very neat , perhaps I didn’t go to places that were very polluted but from what I could see there was a level of neatness on the streets that made it ok for me to buy street food and not feel like it would be an issue , the one positive was that in the evenings you would notice litter vans that would clean up the streets , I also think that there is a mentality from the culture that does not litter and takes pride in cleanliness I loved that

• The most amazing Children …and who are we to judge the way they are raised ?

Then there were the kids, and this tugged at my heart strings the most, they learn English, they learn to talk to tourists. and they super intelligent and so sweet .they try to sell you stuff, but the way it’s done is so precious .so much personality in such little people, there was a little girl that came up to our group in the night markets in Saigon and she was trying to convince one of the guys that he had to buy a fan for his girlfriend, her argument was spot on. I couldn’t get over how cute Vietnamese kids are, there were so many times all I wanted was to adopt one and bring one back. The kids are so special. in hoi an we met Lei and her elder brother and let me tell you these two were something else , I’m  convinced that he was the smartest kid I’ve ever met  by the end of the conversation he had just one request , he asked for ice cream . man oh man how could I say no , so I took them to get a cone each and the joy on their faces has been worth everything to me,  it was definitely one of those special moments in my life because the fact that I could make them happy and that all it took was just those ice creams I can’t describe how wonderful that felt .Every time I could find a child that would try to sell me to stuff I would take her to get an ice cream I became addicted to giving them something to make them happy as a child should be.  

But there was also another lesson in meeting these kids that night we all might think it’s cruel and brutal that these kids are walking around in town at 11 at night selling stuff,  but what I’ve learnt IS that its survival . It’s growing up knowing the value of hard work.  Lei and her brother were earning a living , it’s not like they were abandoned , coz there mum was with and to be honest I met her and she seemed very good,  she was a real mum who cared about them and you could see she showed them love , these kids grow up with a different set of values.   They not given much, clearly if all it took was an ice cream to make them happy you realize how survival is what counts, before I went to Vietnam I would have found it unacceptable for children to be working but somehow I’ve seen another side to it. There aren’t any street kids in Vietnam, families look after each other, and a Vietnamese mother will never desert her child. So we can’t say that these kids are not looked after I just think that this Vietnamese culture of hard work is engrained from that age and I see it as been a positive.

• The War …its not about who was wrong or right its the impact it had and the reality of its effects

Now you can’t go to Vietnam and not see reminders of the war it is in everything, whether it’s the distant sad look you sometimes see on the older generation’s faces, or the constant reminder of how Agent Orange poisoned generations of people causing deformities. there are Bullet holes in almost every Heritage building and site, the war is there for you to see and imagine the havoc it caused, it’s easy to picture what these people have been through, my journey to Cu chi was one of understanding a very different part to this war and that was the plight of the people to protect their land. The Cu chi soldiers were young boys and girls in their late teens and 20’ s who were willing to live in the craziest conditions underground to protect their land and home of cu chi .Their innovation in the traps and tunnel system they used was incredible,  and I found the experience to be very informative .  Then there  were the Viet Kong that fought with absolute determination and resolute spirit , villagers and rice farmers could stand up to the might of America and her forces . the one thing about the Vietnam war that is apparent though, is that it’s hard to judge and choose a side, the devastation it has caused for people of both the south and north is just too overwhelming to condone or support any side at all, my stand on it is that I have no opinion of who was right and who was wrong.

Should America have stepped in and caused that much destruction?  Definitely not! But should the south have been victimized the way they were post war? Absolutely not! The war has displaced many Vietnamese people and yet I marvel at the fact that those refugees could have gone to places like Australia and became the success that they have. Once again it’s that Vietnamese spirit that shines through that there’s no way these people are not built to strive and succeed.  The war is not a hindering factor in 2012 thou. They have moved on and no one is willing to ever use their past as an excuse. if there’s one thing you need to admire about these people it’s this very point, I see how south Africans look to the past to make excuses for the situations they are in today, and in contrast I saw how no one, even the man without legs and hands ever uses his circumstance as an excuse, and it makes me question the difference in mentality of the Vietnamese compare to so many others in the world.

My true Lesson

I’m glad I went to Vietnam because it showed me what it means to have spirit and drive .I saw it In the people I met,  and I see it in this nation that I know will gain the success she craves . Vietnam has a long way to go before she is able to compete on the levels of the rest of South East Asia’s economic power houses, but there’s no doubt that her immense economic growth is inevitable . If you want to see the victory of human spirit, I suggest you go to Vietnam and experience her with an open mind. Take in the chaos of a thousand motorbikes on the streets of Saigon. Witness the miracle that is life in its simplest forms and values that speak to every human beings core. Experience her amazing food, her wonderful street culture and the immense beauty, go ask the questions she will raise. Because there is no doubt that you will come back inspired and changed. I connected with Vietnam and for me, just been there has made me question my own life and my attitude towards it. I admit that there are flaws in her socialist system that perhaps make it very difficult for her citizens to truly achieve what they want ,but my goal was not to analyze Vietnam’s politics, but to see who she is in 2012 and experience it firsthand. What I have seen is this place with enormous potential and I have fallen in love with it, it taught me lessons that I never expected to learn in a place that is so far from my comfortable world. Perhaps Vietnam made me very human again …

How I ate my way through South Asia and became a Dim Sum Addict ...

One month on SE Asia in the regions food capitals , and you are bound to want to taste every conceivable morsel you smell and see. My food experiences have left me craving all the dishes I fell in love with in SE Asia. There is one major thing you need to understand about this part of the world its rich in fertile land and sea so everything is organic fresh and amazing. Than if you consider the influences especially in Singapore and Malaysia suddenly it becomes this culinary spectacle in which you have Cantonese , Haionese , Malay , Paranikin ,   Javanese , South Indian and Thai influences ,  spices and recipes put together and blended  into  the most amazing food extravaganza  all in one place,  ensuring that travelers like me have something delicious to experience every time we have a meal .The malay word for eat is Makan and boy or boy did I do it justice !!!!

It was very hard to get a top list of all the food I loved in Asia together ,  because every meal was that good… but here goes in no order of preference my food love affairs in South East Asia documented and caught on Camera ….

1.         Dim Sum –  Chili Crab Steamed Dumpling - Singapore

How do I describe this take a piping hot soft steamed dumpling then bite into fragrant spicy crab oozing from the center and there you have it heaven in a bite . This was an amazing dish , I mean I knew I loved dim sum and I ensured that I tried as many variations as possible the pork dumplings were great the shrimp wontons were hot and crispy and so decadent and then I tasted this particular variant and I fell in love instantly it suddenly set the bench mark and I couldn’t stop eating I think I had about 5 and I can still taste it now almost 35 days later. The sad bit is it’s hard to come by a chili crab dumplings in Johannesburg so I have to go back !’

Dim sum was my ultimate meal in Singapore I had it every morning at breakfast and whenever I could snack it was seriously addictive and always so fresh.

      2. Spicy south Indian Prawn curry and Roti -The Banana Leaf Apollo Little India - Singapore 

The day I went into the Apollo I wasn’t very hungry I just had to see this fish head curry every one raves about , but the minute  I walked in fresh “Kadai” smells tempted me and next thing I was having the best damn prawn curry ever. I mean I grew up south Indian so I’ve tasted my fair share of prawn curries and roti before but this one was different . It was all served on a banana leaf with the main curry and then a curry sauce served separate. The prawn itself was huge and meaty . The flavor was intensely spicy with that Soft hint of sour Tamarind every bite was amazing and I sat there engrossed in my meal  . I mean I know the Apollo protect their recipes and would never part but what I wouldn’t do for my mum to learn it!!!!

3.        Penang – Food Heaven … Laksa … Masala Dosah … Aunty Rahana’s Malay Spiced Fish.

Penang had crazy delicious street food everywhere and your senses are smacked with it the minute you arrive my faves were :

Laksa  -my first reaction to it was dubious because the pungent smell can be very surprising but once you give it a go  the taste of hot herby sour fishy noodles  pulls it all together , really glad I tried it .

Masala Dosah with Coconut Chutney and Sambar- So this one was special because they served it to me in paper and Plastic bags,  but I had a really late night at the Hard rock and the minute I got back I remembered I bought street food earlier and it did the trick loved it even though it was iced cold by then it was every bit as delicious

Aunty Rahana’s Malay Spiced Mackerel

Malay food is amazing and I remember thinking there was no ways I was not going to go out and find it, so one Sunday afternoon I took a walk through the streets of Batu Ferrenghi and I came across “Mamu Ali Corner” and Aunty Rahana and her daughter Ruby. The warmth these people showed me was incredible. She runs this Sunday lunch Buffet and everything looked so amazing she walked me through what she had made that day and the decision was so hard and finally I settled on the spicy fish I’m not sure what the Malay word for it is but the universal world should be Wow  … it was spiced perfectly really hot and just the way I liked it the fish was amazingly fresh and like with so many of these meals the taste still lingers today. Fortunately aunty Rahana did give me her recipe but somehow I think duplicating it without been in Malaysia won’t be possible J Makan my new favorite word…

1.       Kuala Lampur – Chicken Rice – Nasi Goering Kampung – Malaysian White Coffee

Chicken Rice – is a portion  of succulent crispy roasted chicken in this flavorful broth served with rice … sounds pretty simple right ? pretty average?  hell no! anything but… it’s a burst of deliciousness not very spicy but so much of flavor there’s take away selling chicken rice everywhere in Malaysia they even have a franchise called “the chicken rice shop” that’s where I got mine and that was really cheap and a really great meal in-between all the shopping

Nasi Goering Kampung – is a take on Nasi Lemak their National Dish

Its basically a  sunny side up egg served on a kind of brown rice with a spicy Tomato chutney and fried crispy tiny fish almost anchovie like and a huge piece of fried chicken  and a kind of heavy papadum . Now to a western palate it might seem like a lot of stuff on one plate and trust me its quite a huge meal but to a hungry traveler its wonderful I loved it even though I ate only half of it . it was memorable and really scrumptious at first I was taken aback by the egg but it works trust me

Malaysian White Coffee

Is a chicory tasting milky coffee that’s served all across Malaysia and south east Asia . When the heat is killing and there’s no escaping it this ice cold sweet milky coffee does the trick its stronger compare to your average latte but I loved it My preferred franchise was old town coffee to them what star bucks is to the rest of the world . I brought a few sachets back but its not the same I think you have to be there for it to be that good

1.       Bangkok – Satay and coconut ice cream

The thai food while very fragrant wasn’t very pungent so I think that was going to take some getting used to after all the spice I experienced in Singapore and Malaysia.  Bangkok’s food none the less was always beautifully presented they have a true art for fruit carving and food décor and I couldn’t help but marvel at the way food was presented  . I remember once sitting in traffic and observing a street hawker cut his fruit for sales that day and he did it with so much neatness pride and precision I marveled at this and was very tempted to go buy his entire cart fascinating people these Thais .The most delicious thing I had in Thailand though was fresh coconut ice cream in 55 degree heat the sweetness and pure indulgence of it still leaves me craving

the second was Satay I LOVED IT and practically lived of satay the entire time   

6.       Duck Embryo in a Bia Hoi side street shop – Saigon Vietnam

So let me set the scene a BIA Hoi café is a side street tavern that has kiddie chairs and tables. As the shop gets more patrons the street becomes the café and more chairs and tables are added one by one Back packers and Saigon’s locals start filling the café and the Bia (Home brewed fresh beer) flows .How much does each draft cost ? 3000VND WHICH IS equivalent to 20 American cents and about R2 hence the total popularity. Now on my first night in Saigon I met a bunch of alternative backpackers in one of the side street restaurants I found and they took me to my first Bia hoi café run by this tiny 90 year old lady who couldn’t speak a word of English. That night I became a  Bia Hoi fan I loved it ,I loved how everyone just sat where they found a spot and people intermingled so well , the locals were great and they were having Duck embryo I was offered it several times but couldn’t pluck up the courage until the next night when I took people from my contiki crew with me to the very same place. We found some locals and they organized the duck I was so going to do this,  morality aside I just had to . So the deal is that you first drink the soupy mixture inside the egg. You then chew herbs for flavor and as you peel around the embryo you eat at it. I must say it was really delicious very flavorsome almost like a mix between tender chicken and egg . I found the experience lovely yes it sounds gruesome but when in Saigon do as the locals do right!

7.       Fresh prawns on the Nha Trang Beach

So heres the reality about Nha trang Beach once you laying down on that deck chair you don’t have to move for the entire day ,  things will just come to you Fresh Fruit smoothies , Curios , Pedicures , Pringles , Massages , fruit , and the delight of all fresh shellfish that was literally taken from the sea ten minutes earlier . I Kid you not we never moved that day the smoothies somehow found their way to us on a motorbike and the pedicure lady showed up and then next thing you know they were cooking our prawns right there on the beach ! wow what a day , total cost of sitting on that beach about 200000VND About $7

 

8.       Spring roll oh Spring roll- everywhere in Vietnam !!!!

By the end of my trip I was so sick of spring rolls its all over vietnam and you get different variants too there’s the fresh spring rolls (Which I had the privellage of making) deep fried served all the time and the specialty vermicelli ones which are so crispy and delicious as sick as I got of spring rolls I crave the buggers now

 

9.       Vietnamese Street food – ground pork and fish skewers served with herbs – Hoi an

I loved the smell of this I mean I’ve seen it cooked many times on tv but when you there and you get the smell you realize just how delicious this street snack is

10.       Sweet Spiced Pork belly cooked in a clay Pot – LY club Hanoi

This was the one of the more extravagant meals we splashed on . The Ly club is a renowned exclusive eatery that serves Vietnams best dishes I had the pork in clay pot and every morsel of it was delicious it epitomized Vietnams cuisine , refined and tasty yet so many different things coming together from spice to sweet to slightly sour , unfortunately the belly was very rich and by the 5^th bite I was full but Loved it just like so many of the other meals I had in Vietnam

11.       The Vietnamese Meal I cooked myself

At the risk of sounding arrogant I must say that one of my Best meals in Vietnam was the one I made myself at Lulus Morning Glory cooking school in Hoi An everything we made that day was delicious and we had a excellent teacher

I made a fresh Chicken and Shrimp spring roll , Chicken and Fish BBQ skewer with papaya salad And a Vietnamese Pancake  which is a rolled with a crispy egg omelet inside the entire meal was scrumptious and it showed me just how complex Vietnamese flavoring is complex yet so delicious

So yeah I pretty much ate my way through south east Asia but the one disadvantage is that everytime I’m hungry I remember these dishes and everytime I think about asia I get hungry guess I just have to go back

There' s Something about Singapore ...

When I  taught  of the term “perfect society” I remembered my 2^nd year  Economics  class ,  where we were taught about Utopia and the ideals that defined a perfect society . Now when I think about that term my first association lies with Singapore .

When people speak about this place you get the usual “so clean, so organized .so this so that, no chewing gum and fines” and then you get there and you realize it’s so much deeper than that. There is this mentality of sticking to the rules sort of like an ingrained doctrine that govern her citizens . You hear ordinary Singaporeans speak about their country and one of the first things you pick up is that they don’t question the rules they only abide by them. There’s a great sense of national pride, they believe in their government and they are proud of what they achieve as a nation. One of the first things that stood out for me was how a 50 year old tour guide that didn’t earn very much glowed with pride when she spoke about Singapore’s housing policy, the government has created a fantastic low interest mortgage scheme that ensures that all Singaporean residents regardless of their income level,  are able to own and pay off a home Loan in a space of 2 – 10 years . So there’s this attitude among Singaporeans that I find incredibly refreshing its one of work hard and strive for what you want. I don’t believe Singapore’s social welfare systems remotely allow for government grants people work for what they want and they take great pride in it.  Medical care and education is subsidized but laziness is not tolerated and this is evident in all the class levels of their society. A Taxi driver does his job and does it well he takes pride in the service he provides and so does every Singaporean whether his waiter in a dim sum shop or a man behind a Sari counter.  There is this STRONG work ethic at all levels, and I believe that its attributed to the fact that Singaporeans value the role they play in their society regardless of what role that might be and they take pride in it .

The economic situatuation is so favorable in Singapore that is considered a number 1 work destination for expats and migrant workers from Asia . That also makes it highly competitive and therefore Singaporeans bring there A game and they push far more than the required 40 hours a Week because quite frankly if they don excel at it there’s always someone ready to take their place . So strong is their work ethic that throughout Singapore you find 60 – 80 year olds (Aunties and Uncles ) as they are known that provide Basic labor in the form of Cleaners and Char lady’s  and  when questioned about why they work even thou they are retired it’s not because there is a lack of caring for the old people . The society still follows Asian values and many are taken care of by their children , but these old people work to keep going ,  to fulfill  a purpose to have a solid reason to wake up every morning they claim it keeps them fit and keeps them young and I find that fascinating .

But let me be totally objective, there are definite cracks and if you look deep enough you find them. We were fortunate to have dinner with 2 expats. They were ladies in their late 20s , that were working In Singapore for Standard Chartered Bank both doing really well as most expats in Singapore do ,  and they helped me uncover the cracks that perhaps my 3 day journey might not have shown me . According to them there is a large element of prejudice in this society while to an outsider It may look inclusive and non discriminatory there is preferential treatment for Chinese when it comes to the work place there’s also general Chinese dominance in terms of wealth distribution and according to these expats Singapore ensures it stays that way .Thing is I visited little India and while I hate to sound too critical of my own  I have to ask this very blunt  question when it comes to a large portion of Singapore’s Indians ? You’re in the most modern city in the world, why does it seem that you still stuck in the village thou? I say this with great prejudice because I mingled with local Indians and I was totally perplexed by the”gaam / village “mentality some of them had. With due respects even India herself has moved with the times it seems like Singapore Indians need to as well and maybe that explains the Chinese dominance .     There is also a  big social  class system and it gets more and more pronounced with the ever growing affluence levels . There is discouragement of freedom of taught and Speech , Singaporeans don’t question they accept and  this seems to be somewhat abnormal or perverse ,  as they tend to not question and its creating a society that lacks freedom of expression or creativity or free thinking . Singapores society is considered frigid by comparison to many a capital city in the world ,  taboos or what we will concider modern by many a world standard is still not accepted but once again it brings me to a great point of ponder, all the rules all the restrictions all the boundaries, is this not why their society works so well? There is literally no crime, poverty, moral degeneration surely something about the rules are working here ?  Yet there is a another element to this place and her people, I observed the Singaporean youth and as much as they are called a frigid society,  go to a  night club on a week night and the true Modern  Singapore shows herself. Lively bands , fun loving trendy youngsters that definitely let their hair down , they vibrant they delightfully respectful , modern and dynamic but still very Asian and therein lies the hope  .

Considering all  her strengths and weaknesses you can’t help been overwhelmed by this place. They say she changes every year and every time you go back there is more and more development, the reclaimed land situation is fascinating and as the land grows into the sea  and continues to be this amazing economic success story , as a outsider  I sat back and marveled . As much as Singapore is this perfectly designed concrete metropolis , she also has a lot of Asian culture and I guess that made it even more impressive , I’ve learnt to look at a place not by its big buildings and tourist attractions but by its food its people and its culture and its basic living conditions and attitudes .  Singapore has all the charm you expect from Asia  but it also has this modern Asian tenacity, its big its bright and its smart its obsessed  with European luxury brands how much more evident is this  than by the fact that  Louis Vuitton, has its first Southeast Asian maison, and the world's first floating island of LV on the shore of Marina Bay sands yet another Marvel structure of pure fantasy  , so yes the one thing I’m not going to deny is that this is  a place fueled with pure consumerism and a appetite for luxury and stature  J

 In  essence Singapore reeks of Material success but under all of the glits and glamour,  it’s still truly Asian and a bowl of Noodles and a plate of chilli crab dim sum in a family restaurant still reminds you that you’re in Asia and that’s what I love about it. People maintain their heritage be it Chinese Indian, Malay , I visited temples and Bhuddist meditation services and I was pleasantly surprised that in the middle of the bustling metropolis in the middle of the work day I still found people offering ritual prayers and I think that’s what Singapore’s about its authentic  .It’s been compared to many a western city but what strikes me is that even though the comparison is often made Singapore is in every way Asian .  

There’s something that’s very alluring about Singapore something that I’m sure is going to send me back for more.

My 30 before 30 List ...

As a personal goal before I turn 30 I aim to complete atleast 30 of the 45 Experiences on my 30 before the 30 list, this is a list of amazing experiences that I wish to have so that oneday my tombstone will read " I lived and did all my heart desired ". Ive completed 14 of the 45 and aim to do more before my 30th :-)
...
1 See The Whirling Dervishes of Istanbul
Turkey

2 Bungee Jumping Victoria Falls Backwards
Zambia

3 Visit Chichen Itza
Mexico

4 Go to Christ the Redeemer
Brazil

5 Experience the Rio Carvinal
Brazil

6 Walk the Great Wall of China
China

7 Drink Snake Blood in Hanoi Vietnam / Eat Duck Embryo
Vietnam

8 Hot Air Balloon over Cappadocia
Turkey

9 Do a GX-5 Xtreme Swing and G-MAX Reverse Bungy
Singapore

10 See Halong Bay
Vietnam

11 Marvel at Michaelangelo's David
Italy

12 Skydive
South Africa

13 Ride a Camel
Egypt

14 Spend New Years In Time Square New York
USA

15 Raft through the Grand Canyon.
USA

16 See Petra
Jordan

17 Eat a Locust and Scorpion in Bangkok
Thailand

18 See a Live Sex Show in the Red Light District Amsterdam
Netherlands


19 Smoke the Holy Herb in the Land of the Free Amsterdam
Netherlands

20 Go Hang Gliding over Rio De Janeiro
Brazil

21 Learn to Dance Tango in Buenos Aires
Argentina

22 Kiss in Santorini
Greece

23 Float in the Dead Sea
Jordan

24 Drink Beer at Oktoberfest in Munich
Germany

25 Experience Bali
Indonesia

26 See Angkor Wat
Cambodia

27 Ride an Elephant
Thailand

28 Take a Ride in a Gondola while Sipping Bellinis in Venice
Italy

29 Drink Wine under the Tuscan Sun
Italy

30 Go up the Eiffel Tower at Sunset
France

31 Shop on the Champs Elysees
France

                       
32 Spend a Week in Meditation Retreat in Bali
Indonesia

33 See The Perito Moreno Glacier and Patagonia in Argentina
Argentina

34 Visit Hong Kong and Experience the Lights at Night
China

35 Visit Iguassu Falls
Brazil


36 Ride One of the Worlds Largest Ferris Wheels - the Singapore Flyer
Singapore

37 Drink a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel Singapore
Singapore

38 Experience The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Thailand

39 Have Dinner at the Revolving Atmosphere 360 KL Menara Tower
Malaysia

40 Go to the Top of the Petronas Towers
Malaysia

41 Go Dune Bashing
UAE

42 Explore New York
USA

43 Spend a Day at the Louvre and Versailles
France

44 Stay at the Ice Hotel in Sweden
Sweden

45 Go Back to Prague with My Soul Mate and Watch the Happily Ever after Castle at Night