maurizio caduto S i n g a p o r e

Focusing on the development of Singapore as a modern city, the government has deployed most of the old faces; recently they realize that and started protecting and revamping what was left; but not soon enough though. Now, in some areas you'll see the old shop houses in all their beauty and splendor.

The two pictures above were taken in one of my favourite spots, a tiny street called Emerald Hill, coming from a Peranakan Culture, I already like the name. Two wings of beautiful shop houses suddenly appear unexpectedly after what looks like the open garden of a pub. Two drink bars and a graceful traditonal winery are among the favorite hang out spots in the area, where you can play darts or enjoy one of the outrageously expensive alcholic drinks - outrageously expensive because of the Singapore taxes, that is. In spite of this, Singaporeans are "party" folks and clubs are open the whole week and crowded on weekends. The bad news is that they all close by 3 am, by law. Most of them have bands performing - both local and international alike - and the average level of the musicians is from good to excellent.

Chinese, Indians and Malay all keep their own tradition very much alive so as you celebrate the end of the Muslim Ramadaan as much as the Christian Christmas and the Chinese New Year every year. The picture above was taken during the celebration for the end of the Chinese month of the Hungry Ghost. The legend goes - and believe me, when it comes to Chinese every step you take has a legend behind it - that during that month you should never turn around if you hear someone whispering you name. Especially if you are walking alone in the dark as this could be the ghost ready to steal your soul.

I have asked Singaporean friends of mine to write about their city. Here you go.

"Singapore though expensive is a very safe place to live in. The Singaporean person, is pretty defensive or should I say almost religious about their country. They may bitch about Singapore and the fact that they can't wait to live abroad and get out of Singapore because the standard and cost of living is too high. Not to mention that Singapore has been voted to be one of the best places to get an education. But when a non Singaporean talks about Singapore - the Singaporeans somehow unite and defend their country... they stick together. Maybe because it's a small country - the government has managed them well. They love their country and even those Singaporeans that live abroad will inevitably come home, because they miss the style of food or maybe because they love their country. To the expatriates eye, as you arrive in Changi Airport (one of the best airports in World), the first thing you'll notice is the vast greenery and the perfect landscape. Just look at the trees with almost perfect height... the shrubs... even. They have been trimmed and perfected so well... That it almost looks fake. But they're REAL! "

Thank you Sandra.