Singapore

On our recent visit to Singapore, I had many realizations. Before going thru the aspects I wish to write about, let me pinch in a little bit of the fascinating history of the island.

The name of the country, for instance, was originated due to an initial mistake. Singapura derives from the Sanskrit and means "Lion City".  Legend has it that the name was given by the Sumatran prince Sang Nila Utama when he visited the island in 1299 and saw an unknown creature, which he mistook as a lion. Therefore, since that time the Merlion, a creature half lion and half fish, is the symbol of the country.

Before this Sumatran prince came to Singapore, the place was known as Temasek, which means "Sea Town" in old Javanese language. Written references by travelers mention this sea town as early as the 2nd Century. Archaeological discoveries confirm the reputation of Temasek and later Singapura as an important trading point for many centuries, only reconfirmed today as one of the busiest seaports in the world.

The first and immediate fact that stands out for a visitor from another Asian country (and that includes the Middle East) is that it's one of, if not the cleanest country in the whole Asian Continent. Maybe comparable to Japan, but I have not been to Japan yet, so I can't really compare.

Singapore has very strict rules and regulations to keep its citizens and visitors on track. The government takes so much care about the cleanness of the environment that the locals even make jokes about it. They say Singapore is a "fine city" (and you can even buy post cards, fridge magnets and other souvenirs about it).

Here is a list of fines everyone should watch out for:
- Chewing gum: $ 1000
- Spitting: $ 1000 (that's actually the one I liked the most)
- Smoking in public: $ 1000
- Monkey feeding: $ 250
- Fishing: $ 250
- Urinating in public places: $ 500
- Bird catching: $ 500
- Eating durians: $ 500 (this one I couldn't really believe, but if you know this fruit, also known as jack fruit, you may say the Singaporeans have got a point).

The result of such zeal is that it's a real joy to walk in their streets. People go about their daily lives with respect to each other, to the environment and to the institutions.

But how did they get to this point? We all must agree that's odd that this country is located in Asia, where anywhere else people throw everything out regardless of what it is and where they are, people spit in the streets and walkways, people smoke like's doomsday, and so many other reprehensible behaviors.

There could be many reasons, but I would like to make my point here, what I think may be some of the main reasons.

Religion:
Singapore is made up of several religious groups, which is advantage number one. Buddhists are majority with 42%, Christians (all different groups) second with 16% and Muslims third with 15%. There is no hugely dominant group. Such diversity is always good, because it allows people to be totally free, and only when you are free you can be 100% productive for your country or your society. If only one group dominates and dictates the rules, everyone follows by obligation. And followers are like a flock of sheep: they go wherever the shepherd leads them. They are not the owners of their own destiny, they don't innovate, they don't pursue challenges, they find no need for thinking. They become mentally lazy, they just repeat, repeat...

Education:
Here I don't mean that they have good schools. They surely have them, but every country has got at least a few good schools. What I mean to say is that the attitude is different. Culturally different. They really seem to take learning seriously, they take laws seriously, they respect the environment.

Young Singaporeans work. They work at shops, stores, restaurants, receptions, security... they work on any kind of job. They don't think the world is there to serve them. They have aspirations in life, and since their lives are not taken for granted, they work hard to fulfill their dreams, whatever they might be.

Take as a comparison the Middle east, for example. What do young Arabs do? Do they work? Do they look for a job? How do they generally behave in school? The answers to these questions almost everyone know, not from being told, but from seeing it. Most young Arabs take their life for granted, especially in the richer countries. They get school paid by the government. They get a house when they marry. They get medicals for free. And when they leave school, no matter what they have achieved there, they get a job in the government sector. They surely have some responsibilities and of course there are exceptions, but we ought to focus on the majority. If a person, at early stages in life, is not challenged to achieve things and goals and gets whatever he or she asks for, what motivation to self-develop such youths would have? That results in huge impacts in a society. 

Hence the prospect of a great future is brighter for Singapore. Other Asian nations have a long way to go. Some nations, I might add, will hardly ever reach as far.


But the fact I loved the most is that it seems to be a place blessed by God. It rains almost every day; the climate is tropical and enjoyable the full year-round. In such a favorable climate Mother Nature gives out its best. All kinds of birds and flowers producing a Myriad of colors and sounds, which pleases the eyes and soothes the ears wherever one may wander.

They have parks for everything: Birds Park (Jurong), Orchid Park (amazing), Butterflies Park... they even have an unbelievable Sky Park!!! At Marina Bay, as part of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Casino & Commercial Center complex, they built what can be considered in modern days an authentic resemblance of the mythical Hanging Gardens of Babylon!