Goodbye Singapore...........for now........?

What a difference 3 days make.

3 days ago I was in a tropical paradise and now.......snow and cold and wind and trees with no leaves and overcast skies.



My "Trip of a Lifetime" has ended but the memories will forever be in my heart.



I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity. Thank you Deb for sharing your temporary country with me and being the best hostess.



Gloria, thank you for the luxury of 5 weeks off. No words can express my gratitude.



I fell in love with Singapore. The people, the places, the culture, everything about her lives in my heart as a cherished friend who I must be apart from, for now.

On my last night in Singapore Deb asked me what the top 3 highlights of my trip were. What a question! There is no way to narrow it down to just 3.

Christmas on Orchard. The lights, the sounds, the people dancing in the streets. A Christmas in the tropics, hot, sticky and wonderful.

A land where Christmas is boldly about Christ without any worries it may offend others. All cultures and all spiritual beliefs are honored and respected here.

A rainy night in Chinatown.....

The plants and flowers and colors and scents.....

The mashed potato machines at 7-11.

An empty train, a rare sight.

Subtle reminders of those you love back at home...

So many sights.........

The cafes along the streets everywhere.

The entrance to Deb's apartment.

The view I saw everyday walking out of the apartment.

My beloved Chinatown..........

7-11's everywhere and in the oddest forms...the one above is a trailer of sorts on the sidewalk. Yep they are everywhere in Singapore.

All of the good advise Singapore gives out.

Seriously.......NO tipping anywhere.

Shopping was always a hoot!

I will miss Deb's endless pursuit of the perfect purse. I don't think it would be an exaggeration to say she purchased a new one on average every third day!

There must be a 12 step program out there for her.

The interesting way some people carry their umbrellas.

Graffiti or art????

I said they were everywhere!

The endless noisy construction going on all over town.

The interesting signage.

Taxi Que's. Yes they have special lines to catch taxi's. Everything is so civilized and courteous there.

Alley ways which are not to be missed.

Another reminder of someone back home.

The cool (89 degrees) evenings and walks about town.

My favorite Kopitiam, air con abouds here.

Peaceful evening walks.

Fire works on New Years eve......my last day in Sing.

My last ride on the MRT........

The companionship of a wonderful friend and sister. Here she is "tickled" about something. She is often laughing, always seeing the bright side of most things. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious and I will miss all of our walks, talks and dinners at all those "foreign" food places (and our army wives!).

Where in the U.S. would you ever see this sign?

The beautiful alley's.

Passage ways.

Shop house and cafes and people from all cultures all around.

Interesting advertisements.

A pink cab that Deb just knew Bailey and Abbie would love.

So many things to remember....

The little bow everyone gives you when greeting you or doing business with you.

Being of above average height.

The gracious spirit of all Singaporeans.

The colors, such vivid and rich hues.

The street vendors selling their wares in carts and on tables.

Buying ice cream from a man on a motorcyle.

Double decker buses.

Grocery stores in basements of shopping centers.

Ice cream that cost $15.00 a pint.

Umbrellas used as protection from the ever present sun and heat.

All prices being negotiable......."after discount!"

Bathrooms with choices regarding the type of toilet....toilet paper you take from a comunal roll BEFORE you go into the stall......no paper towels anywhere.....and on occasion, in some places. you must pay to use the bathroom.

One of the most beautiful airports I have ever seen.

Take away food (we call it "to go").

McDonald's delivers!

Living on an Island and yet, oddly, rarely seeing or being aware of water.

More rain in 10 mins than Colorado gets in a year.

Asian women holding hands ........

...........Indian men holding hands..............

....................All men carrying the bags of the women they are with.

Alighting from the train and hearing..."Please mind the platform gap." I just love hearing that, don't know why.

12 hours of sunlight everyday.

Walking more in one day than I do here in one month.

A country where it appears the national pass time is shopping.

"Lah"......no idea what it means but alot of people say it after everything, lah.

A maid, daily except Sunday. Oh how I miss that already!

People who are guninely happy to see you in their store and make you very aware you are welcome.

Another country just a short cab ride away.

Doors that open automatically.......nearly everywhere.

Fort Canning Park.........high above the city.....ahhhhh.

Wearing shorts everyday.

Lush green foliage and palm trees.

An apartment 26 floors above the street.

A beautiful city which is also a country which is an island.

......And two sisters who have no relationship and yet together made this trip possible for me............a blessed man.

I am indeed, a blessed man.