Om Mani Padme Hum

In Singapore's Chinatown, there are quite a few temples: Muslim, Krishna, Buddha all exist within blocks of each other. But the 2 Chinese temples I went to both focused on my favorite of all things: Avalokiteshvara, chinese name Kwan Yin, Goddess of Compassion, Bodhisattva of Endless Mercy. Born holding a lotus, one of his 30 something now female representations has her holding a lotus in one hand. So the outside of the temple was lotus city. Nothing wrong with compassion, mercy, or lotuses.

My Father's School

So way back in the 50's my father taught english at the Chung Cheng Middle School in Singapore. He was there for 9 months and his students later led riots when Singapore tried to institute the draft. Right on, Padre! You taught them well! Unfortunately the school was closed when I went there on Sunday, but from the road and behind the locked gates, it looked quite impressive, and I could imagine what that sleepy neighborhood on Goodman Road must have been like back then.

And Food!

The only bad thing about being here is that I'm here alone...food needs to be shared, and the variety here is impossible to get through by oneself. So I have to tamp down what I can, and take pictures of the rest.

Little India, Singapore Style

Another vibrant, colorful neighborhood. The arcade streets are so colorful, fragrant with spices, flowers and incense. And of course, food - on day two in Singapore, I am wishing for three stomachs.

Signs Are Funny in Singapore, too.

I feel the same way.

Singapore Zoo

This is an amazing place: it almost looks like the animals are free range...the fences are well hidden, or else they have miraculously trained big cats not to chase humans. The primate area is the most diverse I have ever seen outside of my workplace....and alot less inhibited. Baboons especially seem not very uptight, or maybe because it's Saturday. Party time!