SINGAPORE SNAP SHOTS - 1

I am going to start writing a series on Singapore. Now before you yawn and turn away from this blog, let me say quickly that this series is not like a guide book or travel booklet and will not contain the usual information about the World famous Zoo, Night Safari, Jurong Bird Park, Sentosa sights and so on. Anyone who has done the usual “guided tour” comprising three nights and four days or whatever would have seen these places plus the famous little India district with Mustafa Shopping Center forming a part of the age old “Visit Singapore Circuit”.

I will write about experiences of living here and write about places that are not visited by foreign tourists usually. I dare say some locals haven’t been to some of the places that I plan on writing about. Not because these places are any less interesting but Singapore has been packaged mostly as a tourist destination involving the previously mentioned “circuit”. Locals don't have much time (popular excuse, although a generalized statement one may add). In all fairness, let me say that the sights mentioned in the circuit above are really good and does merit a visit by a visitor. But, there are lots more to this tiny Island than the eye can see. Bah Humbug you say? Well let me debunk the myth that there’s nothing to see or do here other than the above in my series.

In this series I will attempt to make observations of life around here, how the natives and non-natives lead their lives and some parts of it may also appeal to Singaporeans, PR holders (Permanent Residents), EP holders (Employment Pass) and WP holders (Work Permit). Singaporeans love short forms and acronyms. They’d love to shorten everything like in a sms. It won’t be my intention to make fun of the locals (many of them are good friends of mine and fine people they are) but some aspects of the way they do things may evoke some laughter from time to time.

SInglish (Singaporean English) is a language that they speak and first timers find it very tough to get what they are saying to you or among themselves. You’d think ”wait a minute, it sounds like English, but why do I not understand a word they are saying? And what’s this flipping word ‘Lah’ they use at the end of every sentence?” Sometimes the sentence ends with ‘Leh’ and ‘Lor’ as well. Just a matter of knowing your P’s and Q’s in Singlish!

Anyway, don’t worry lah; this series will attempt to add humor wherever I see it. Sometimes something that I may find humorous may not appeal to the reader as being funny. When that happens, just slap your computer and I’ll get the message. Some of the language that I will use may not make sense to non-Singaporeans but just bear with me; I am teaching you a new language! And, I won’t stop blogging about aviation as and when a story breaks out or something silly happens in the industry and that happens more often than you think, I'll be there to write about it.

To make this interactive, I am willing to go on assignments in this country and look up places or things to do, if the reader so suggests that I should look something up for him or her, as long as the endeavor does not take too much time, effort and is essentially inexpensive (read cheap!) OK lah, time to sign off and start my series from No 2, can?