Tonight I’m heading out on another adventure. I’m travelling to see a friend in Singapore. Another expat from Denmark, who moved abroad to live in a foreign country and who has so far not returned. For company I invited a nephew from Denmark. I’m privileged to have a life where I have this opportunity.
According to tradition, Singapore means Lion City. While there are wild lions in Asia even today, as far as I know there have never lived lions in the region of Singapore. Tigers, though, made life dangerous up until 1930. Now I will have to visit the zoo to see lions and tigers there.
History of Singapore
I’ve been reading up on Singapore these last weeks. That it was founded as a British colony as a trade stop on the way to China in 1824. Controlling the strategic Strait of Malacca where a sizeable portion of today's international maritime trade moves through. Cultural melting pot between European, Chinese, Arab, Indian and many other cultures. Captured by Japanese troops in 1942. Horrible crimes against humanity. Independence from the British following the war. Now a global city of xxx million that other cities in the world aspire to mimic. With stunning architecture and a climate of eternal summer.
I’ve also read that Frank Buck had a camp there. An American adventurer who brought back wild animals from Asia for zoos in the United States. A colourful character with a somewhat different approach to wildlife. History is also what we today are less proud of.
Still, there is a lot to learn yet.
City of dreams
I want to feel the city. How it feels to breathe the air there. Get wet and sweaty from the tropical rain and the high humidity. Explore the food. Learn about the people who live there today. Their past, present and future. What to they dream of? What do they carry with them from the past? But first and foremost to experience their present. And become another little part of a bustling city of dreams and reality.
Six time zones ahead. 14 hours in a plane. Still shorter than a train ride to northern Sweden. I will get there when I get there.
Expect pictures. Expect stories. Until then, take care. Remember to enjoy life and live in the present, wherever and whomever you are.