17 999 teenagers and me

My brother urged me to join New Year's celebration in the self proclaimed Asia's largest beach countdown party. Apparently it is not possible everywhere in the world to dance the final night of the previous year away on a sandy beach with warm sea wind caressing your hair. Before I know it, I will be once again freezing my fingers numb trying to lit any fireworks during upcoming New Years Eves in sub zero temperatures.

I felt somewhat awkward to go there by myself, but I am glad I did. Just witnessing the masses of people having fun and sharing positive energy was an experience to enjoy. Furthermore, I feel proud saying that I didn't come home until 3 AM (did not have the stamina to stay until 6 AM, when the party ended, but still pretty good achievement for me).

The thing that keeps on surprising me is how well these people behave. Even drunk teenagers are being polite, picking up their trash and not starting any fights. Seriously, the government must be putting something in the tap water (which by the way is arguably the most purified tap water in the world -- I like the way they say it: it is not claimed to be the cleanest, but just having the most advanced technology to clean it).

Video has been done automagically by Google from video clips and photos I took at the party.
Pretty cool feature, huh?

Finnish Cultural Imperialism - Episode IV (New Hope)

There are something like 6000 to 7000 known languages in the world today. So what are the odds that a random entrepreneur in Singapore decides to start selling mugs with Finnish label texts in her little stall close to my home?

Only available options were in English and Finnish (Thanks to my brother for spotting this global oddity)

Perhaps it is time for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to consider adding 5th national language.

Pedestrian free zone

On a certain previous episode of fun and games of international relocation, I made comparisons with Ireland and Singapore. Last week I returned from a trip to Washington D.C. and while still fresh in my memory I need to document one quick observation of how different things are between South East Asia and the New World.

It is actually amazing that I have lived in Singapore for not much more than a year, yet I was completely stunned by the lack of people. Especially pedestrians. In the nation's capital, which has been awarded as the most pedestrian friendly city in United States. The stretch of land between the iconic landmarks is a park, yet there was only a handful of people seen walking around on a beautiful, yet chilly (everyplace is chilly after SG) Saturday. Furthermore there was really no hotdog stands or anything which would feed the hungry masses of people. Where is everybody?! Granted there were few cars driving around the strikingly wide roads.

Flag on the Capitol building is at half mast due to Nelson Mandela passing away. Not due to Finnish independence day.

PS1. I left on Monday morning, arrived on Monday afternoon. After 24 hours of grueling daytime traveling. On my way back, I left on Sunday morning and was back home only on Tuesday. Crossing the International Date Line can make your head hurt.

PS2. I had a short layover at Japan. Even though Singapore is an island, but they don't really serve as good of a sushi as you get in Japan over here. Unfortunately.

PS3. On the topic of food, I did enjoy much better steaks in US than I have been able to get here.