“Everything here sounds India, smells India, and looks India, so where else could I be but at Little India?”

 

A colorful, thriving hub of activity, this enclave will truly play to all your senses with every detail: the spice-scented streets, color-themed buildings, sari-adorned passers-by, Indian fortune-tellers, Roti Prata making and much more.

The first Indian settlers in Singapore arrived with British colonists as assistants and soldiers back in 1819. In the late 19th century, many more Indian immigrants arrived to find work in all trades of life.

Little India is now the focal point of Singapore's Indian community. From the large Tekka Centre and Little India Arcade to the small provision shops, Little India is packed with interesting stuff such as ethnic jewellery, jasmine garlands and silk saris.

The Sri Ghanesh Textiles is one of the many popular Sari stores in Little India. I learned that even Indian people sometimes come to Singapore to buy saris for the good price and large variety.

From the riot of the colors to the smiles on the faces of clerks, everything in the store is just too inviting.

 

So with the help of an extremely patient shop assistant, I owned three pieces of gorgeous saris I really don’t know when to wear.

The lives of today’s Indians are a happy co-existence of old and new, sacred and secular.

Equipped with modern educational backgrounds, Indians in Singapore also hold dearly to the customs and traditions of their forefathers.

I happened to catch a grand Sunday service at the Sri Mariamman Temple to usher in the New Year, which means I get to wear my new Saris! Watching the Hindu Priests perform their special prayers, I experienced some sort of religious bliss although I could not even pronounce the names of their Gods and Goddesses.

Little India is also a back-packers haven in Singapore.

Interview:

Xiaolan: “So you’re all staying at this hostel?”

Tourist: “Yes. Here you see he is from Dubai, we’re from Swiss, like all mixed up, really cool.”

Xiaolan: ”Yes. How much is the rate for the room?”

Tourist: “18 SGD per night.”

Xiaolan: “We’re here in Little India, how does it compare to real India?”

Indian Tourist: “ No, it is not real India. It’s different, maybe just a very small part of India.”

The hostel provides clean beds, do-it-yourself laundry, Internet service, even entertainment -fooseball. For 18 Singapore dollars a day per bed, I’d say it is a killer price for many young globe-trotters who are not loaded with cash.

Tourists:

“Welcome to Singapore!”

“I really enjoy here.”

“People are friendly here.”

“Singapore is a great modern friendly city that if you got plenty money to spend then you can have a lot of time. But if you are poor like me, you should really only spend a few days.”

“Friendly people, good food, come along!”

Nice cab, I like this, very spacious. So what is so unique about Singapore? It’s a melting pot of cultures, a rich contrast between modernity and tradition, the people, unbridled energy, and exquisite food…Well, It’s much more than that! It’s a world of possibilities! I’m Xiaolan, see you next time! Bye-bye!

 

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(Chief Editor:xiaoya)