Singapore colonial

Singapore is a real melting pot. Much more so than NYC or any other city I have lived in, let alone visited. Not only can you find transplants from all over the world working here or walking the streets, but you can find some noticeable evidence in the real bones of the city. The Malay, Chinese, Indonesians have played an integral role in building this nation to what it is today and it shows in the layout of the city, the textiles, the food, as well as the architecture. The architecture of the Chinese colonial period is probably one of the more visual notable points, and luckily the government has done more in recent years to help ensure the old world is not completely engulfed by the new.

Singapore sling

It's a damn expensive town. But its easy to forget about when there is so much eating to do. Actually, the food ain't so expensive when you sit down for grub, only the booze (the namesake Singapore Sling costs $26US at the Long Bar). Singaporeans, and those that call Singapore home, do their best to eat as often as possible. Food is at the center of the culture and meals tend to be smaller but are taken more times throughout day than in the West. Curiously contrary to the flashy nature of a culture that has an established class system, getting down to some good eats need not be a flashy affair. Many meals are eaten in open air food markets, "hawker centers", on make shift tables sitting in plastic chairs (I personally prefer the green). Construction workers sit along side investment bankers at their favorite eating spots, each known for its own famous dish. It almost seems like their may be a disdain for fanciful ambience as it may only be a cover for poor cooking which is the only real measure of the quality of a Singaporean dinning spot.  So the cheap food almost makes up for the $8 beers... almost.