Sometimes, there's no place like home. As I stepped out of the plane and back onto Singapore's soil (figuratively speaking), I couldn't help having some mixed feelings of sadness, gladness, and a sense of belonging. In the almost two weeks of travel, I met several people who commented on various aspects of Singapore; some good and some bad. At times, I wasn't sure what to say in response but on thinking back, I think perhaps silence was the best policy. After all, most of what they said had some basis of truth.

Yes, Singapore is clean and beautiful but our government is controling; one person I met described that he felt always watched when he was here. We have very limited freedom but we are relatively safe; well protected. Sure, our government doesn't believe in a welfare state/country, but we have good infrastructures and no unfair taxation system which benefits only a relative few.

I learnt a bit while I was travelling. I definitely learnt to appreciate how much we take for granted the peace and safety that we have here in Singapore. We take for granted the cleaners/road sweepers that ensures our city is clean every day of the year. We take for granted the ease of purchasing anything at any time of the day/night. I learnt that we're really sheltered and pampered. I am not saying that there aren't anything bad about Singapore but that we have many good things which we are quite blind to.

For example, my friends and I were nearly mugged in Brussels if not for the vigilance of Gong Yue. We were asking directions for the main station and this man volunteered to lead us there. Gong Yue realised as we walked into a small alley that there were two other men following us. He immediately vetoed the idea of going further and told the man that we would rather find the way ourselves. I shuddered to think what would have happened if I was alone.

Then on another occassion, Xiu Qing left her purse on the table where we were sitting and having lunch. Without her knowledge, the purse was lifted. Luckily, the person gave it back with a warning to her to be more guarded with her belongings. (The person was a security guard at the train station.) The officer warned us that there had been lots of pickpockets and purse snatchers in the station. And of course, we arrived in Brussels on Saturday morning. No one works on the weekends and that include the road sweepers - can you imagine the litter that were abound? And can you ever imagine smelling urine around the MRT station? That was what we smelled near the entrance of the stations. Those were a few of the things we experienced that made me appreciate what we have here in Singapore.

I'd write more later about my observations and experiences. But for now, dusk have arrived and I need to pray. Meanwhile I have uploaded some of my pictures of Brussels and Waterloo for those interested. The picture for this blog is that of a maze/crop circle I saw on top of a hill (the Lyon monument) at the Waterloo battle site.

Peace

Sid