On Singapore

 From what I remember back in the 80’s, there is no familiarity with me in the present. Everything here in Singapore has change visually. It is a lot more commercialized now than before. The city transportation to me is very efficient; buses and MRT trains running orderly; taxis are operating normally as I remembered; no flagging them down from the street you have to queue up in a line; but what I am hearing now it cost a lot more to go by taxi than before. On the bus I have noticed all the high riser apartments with a food court and little shops to accommodate them like groceries, pharmacies, etc…

 I sometimes feel like I am in a miniature city while riding on the bus; the roads are well kept and everywhere I see is like we are riding around in a big garden that has tall buildings and landscapes of trees and flowers everywhere. The Orchard Road street is completely different but the shopping is still the same. I have seen more influence of the western culture here than before. The eastern influence seems to be with the older people trying to adapt to the new surroundings and their present status seems to be in question with me because I have seen some of them working in retail stores & food courts and I know that they should be retired. However, I am unsure what kind or any kind of social security or supplement from the government they would get at what age and how much…

 There has been short bursts of rain here almost everyday since we arrived. With the rain, it is much cooler than I remembered but still humid and sticky. The clubs where we played in the 80’s are completely erased from the present; like it never existed; that is how much this place has changed. The local food courts are still inexpensive and you could have 3 full dinners with boba teas for around $20 Australian dollars. I was able to get a new temper glass shield for my Iphone and a brand new phone case all for $12 Australian dollars…

 There is a upright Yamaha piano here but I have not played on it as much as I thought I would. Lots of reflecting here and looking forward to focus on music projects when we are back in Sydney. Singapore was a  musician road vibe to me in the beginning but I became more of a tourist than a musician on the road after a week. I was actually bittersweet being here appreciating what they done in the present but reminiscing what was before. 

Taken from room we are staying in…