Singapore - it's been fun but time to go

One reason I like to travel is to confirm that Canada is the best country in the world to live in. Kidding aside (sort of), when I travel I do try to keep an open mind to how others live, and then ask myself if they are on to something. For example, throughout the world I'm often impressed with the food on offer and wish we Canadians would pick up a few lessons from abroad. Maybe a few less hotdogs and fries and a few more fresh tasty meals instead - just a friendly suggestion.

After enjoying another great meal at a mall food court in Singapore, jammed packed with the locals, I have to chalk one up to the Singaporeans. Great food, variety, quality and prices - and even a beer stand to get a bottle. Would it be so wrong if we could get such treatment in Canada? Cleanliness? Have to give Singapore another point. Yes Canada is pretty neat and tidy when we're not dealing with 'snirt' - that's my name for the mix of snow and dirt that we drag into our malls and businesses all winter. But it doesn't gleam and sparkle like Singapore. Modern infrastructure? Chalk another one up for Singapore. They seemed to have skipped that 60's and '70's minimalist-rectangle look so prevalent in Ottawa. Too many public buildings in Canada look like something out of a Soviet-era housing project. Traffic? Wow, the traffic runs smooth and light, not like the traffic jams common during rush hour in many Canadian cities. Weather? Maybe too tropical for some, but there are no snowstorms or freezing rain here.

But scratch a little and you'll see the cracks in the veneer - some downside in all this upside. You get the gleaming streets but make sure you flush the toilet (it's a fine for you if you don't), and forget about chewing gum on the street because that's not allowed. These types of rules indicate to me at least unwelcome constraints on personal choice. Yes everyone should flush the toilet, but is a rule and fine necessary? Less traffic is great but forget about owning a car unless you're rich. You'll need to pay import taxes, a certificate of use, and tolls in the city that will at least triple the price, and is only good for ten years before you have to pay again. Good thing the public transit is good here.

As for crime and punishment, this is where things just start getting weird. There is mandatory capital punishment by judge (not jury) for some crimes that wouldn't get you anywhere near life in prison in the West, like drug trafficking. The rate of executions here has been higher per capita than just about anywhere else. Some crimes are just strange - opposition party leaders turned bankrupt after successful defamation suits by ruling government ministers. Pornography, homosexuality, nudity - all banned. Most Singaporeans live in public housing, but cats are banned from the buildings. I saw a sign in the building we're staying in that prohibited pet owners from letting their pets relieve themselves on the lawn or bushes. As far as I understand it, there isn't anywhere a dog is allowed to go in the city unless you bring some kind of mat.

It's like Singapore became a nanny state with a mean streak. Or a right leaning party had the run of the place for the last 50 years. Pleasant place, just stay on the straight and narrow. 

So would I live here? Probably not, but what a fun, impressive place to visit. And what great food!

Here's us at Universal Studios.