It’s always fun and interesting to know more about the lifestyle and social culture of other countries, with a hint of insight, either by paying a close attention to the locals daily activities or chitchat with them.

Moving on to today’s post.

Jul 22nd, On our way to Changi airport, we had a little chat with the taxi driver – an uncle, white hair, quite old, probably 60yo above.

The uncle started the conversation with us by asking where we’re heading to. Once he knew we’re Medanese, he mentioned about the 2004 Tsunami that hit Aceh and a little bit about living in Indonesia.

Enough about us, he then shared his opinion on Singapore nowadays.

He said that the family value in Singapore has decreased a lot if compared to the good old days in kampong (village).

Staying in flat/apartment isn’t good, he continued, once children come back home, they go into their own bedroom and do own activity. Less interaction among the family members. No warm, no togetherness.

Ah, it reminded me of my college time.

He also mentioned about the problem with seeing extended families/relatives. It’s hard to give a warm welcome cause it’s quite often the relatives come asking to borrow money. Don’t even mention about welcoming the relatives to one’s house, seeing them in the lift or public space, one will pretend not seeing them.

Owe $ Pay $, Ah Long, ring a bell?

He also complained about how the government kept on welcoming foreigners to work in Singapore, which doesn’t do good to the locals. I heard about this issue a lot during their recent election.

Of course, we couldn’t run away with the high-living-cost topic. The uncle said that the property price is getting higher, even for a HDB, I guess this valid for the whole world now (?). He said, with a basic salary of $2k, how can a fresh-graduate buy an apt, let alone getting married.

Uncle said his wife is working and he used to work double job to tackle the living cost. He kept on repeating how life is hard for many Singaporeans (xin jia po ren hen xin ku – imagine someone your Grandpa’s age saying this words, heartache or not >.<) Probably referring to the medium lower income class of people.

No wonder there is many aunties uncles at their 60s and above working in the foodcourt as a cleaner, cashier, etc. So old, still working.

After hearing all the above things from the uncle, I have a very familiar feeling. Those are like scenes from many Singapore’s movies (esp. Jack Neo’s film). But this time, it isn’t an acting, it’s a reality. Unless the uncle watches too much drama.

It definitely left me feeling the contrast between the local’s view (in this case, senior citizen) and the tourist’s view on Singapore. It’s a heaven for me as a tourist and shopper, but a tough place to live for the locals. Put aside the medium upper class people, of course.

Interesting insight (to me)! Makes me want to travel more #JustAnExcuse

Let’s start the series for my Singapore trip, since today is Singapore National Day.

You see, when we touched down KL after Jakarta trip on last year, we felt like we’re in a better place cause traffic jam in KL is nothing if compare to Jakarta and the highway is slightly cleaner and less dust. So, KL wins!

Then after Singapore trip, KL becomes.. well, an ugly duckling to me. Singapore is like a swan. Hehe. But, shouldn’t even compare them cause KL is a city while Singapore is a country -tiny, yes but has so much to offer.

Here’s what I, as a tourist, love from Singapore:

• Cleanliness

Need I say more? No chewing gum, no smoke/awful cigarette smell at tourist place, the trees are in green color not dusty green, a heaven for a clean-freak like me. Even the infrastructure is so clean, neat and organize. Being tiny is great, you get to plan and organize everything accordingly. The same goes to tiny house (apt) #offtopic

• Efficient & effective public transportation

Always heard how fast and on-time the bus and MRT in Singapore are, proven to be true. The MRT is faster than KTM/LRT in KL, escalators at the MRT station are very fast as well, no wasting time. The passengers also walk faster. I’m all about moving fast, so this is super great.

Best of all, the whole island as a country is connected by public transport (bus and MRT). No car? No problemo at all, as long as that you can walk. Many of the train stations are connecting to another train line, so effective. Going to the tourist places is not a problem at all.

• Taxi by meter

Yes, no haggling with the taxi driver, how awesome eh? Save my breath and mood a lot. In KL, 7 out of 10 times you’ll need to bargain with the taxi driver and their fave lame excuse for asking ridiculous high price -> traffic jam!

• Clean lovely Chinatown

Although the souvenirs are nothing to shout for, but the place is clean and nice. Compare it to KL’s Chinatown, quite dirty and the highlight is on the imitation branded bags/watches where people bargains like no tomorrow. Sellers are like gangsters. -__-”

• Tourist Tax Refund

Lost control during Singapore Great Sale? Bought lots of *cough* fishnet tops, shoes, shirts, etc? No worry, tourists get to claim the refund of their shopping sprees for the 7% GST. Awesome eh? Of course there is some terms and conditions, but still awesome.

All the good words about Singapore; cleanliness, safety, great public transport, etc are proven to be true. One thing I haven’t experienced is the fast internet connection. Scratch that, hubby just reminded me in a funny yet awkward way that I did experience the Singapore’s internet line way back in 2007, long story bout that

Anyway, it’s a dream place to live, when I’m young of course (doesn’t see it as a great place to retire), if not because of the high living cost.

For me, end of month and weekend is a perfect combination to just chill at home and slacking with no guilty feeling, especially when all projects are wrapped up for the month. Yea, I’m just too hard on myself sometimes.

On last Saturday, we did our monthly spring cleaning on every corner and single details of the house. Sweat a lot, but feel good, just take it as a physical exercise. It’s also a teamwork exercise between hubby and me.

Aside from that, hubby managed to install curtain for our mini closet (refer to picture below). We just dislike the idea of having a huge bulky wardrobe.

On Sunday, it was my couch potato day. For breakfast, I had battered egg bread with a small glass of Nestle Bliss Orange flavor, while watching My Sassy Girl 2 from MySoju.

For lunch, we had home-cooked spaghetti, quick and easy – great choice when we don’t feel like having a rice meal.

One is never too old to be fed with the cheesy-romance-story from Taiwan Idol Drama, so I tuned in to one of the latest series Mei Le Jia You a.k.a Love Keeps Going, starring Mike He and Cindy Wang. It’s up until episode 9 only, gotta wait 1 episode per week

To sum up, it’s a great weekend. It’ll be greater, if I get to soak in bathsofdistinction clawfoot tubs for a warm bath after tiring week. July itself is a great month for us. Not just because it’s my birthday month, but everything just falls in place (in a good way).

Lesson of the month that we get, don’t think (or rather worry) too much + just do it. Sounds simple eh? It could be hard cause sometimes we are too caught up in planning stage then go into worry stage, hence never move forward, just stuck there in the evil circle.