Singapore - Day 14
The bus dropped the class off in Haw Par Villa today where we were scheduled to wander through the Hua Song Museum - a building housing exhibits on Chinese migration from around the world. I like how this museum touched on many different issues faced by migrants such as the process of cultural adaptation, the hardships of making a living and so on, but I felt the exhibits failed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the overall history of Chinese migration.
In any case, walking around the place did get me thinking about the meaning of being "Chinese". Henry has mentioned numerous times before that the term "Chinese", as a form of self-identification, is a relatively new concept. I wonder how relevant it still is today. It seems like there are a lot of younger generation Chinese (at least among my Canadian friends) that know very little about their own history or culture.
After the museum, we went to visit the ten levels of Hell: a cave like structure with figurines depicting the horrific acts a person will have to endure when burning underground.
At Haw Par Villa
A group picture to submit to the Courier, a Vancouver newspaper
At the gates of Hell
Hell!
Once we were free to leave, I was lead to a doctor by Li Min and Jinrui in hopes to find a cure for an incessant cough I contracted. Medicine here is actually quite cheap.
Later in the night, I bused over to Holland Village with a couple people and feasted on a Western-style dinner at Brekos, a well known sandwich restaurant. Holland Village is a touristy area in Singapore filled with small shops and eateries; a popular destination among the younger generation. It is also where I spotted my first rat in Asia, shattering the stereotype of an immaculate Singapore (although this country is still very clean). Linda had a small gathering at her place afterwards but I was too drowsy with medication to stay awake.
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