Key to hippiness

The past 2 weeks have been a whirlwind of 1) closing the cat photo exhibition 2) launch activities at Ion Orchard where we have 5 clients and 3) playing tour guida again - this time to L's cugino G and his amico P. This was their first time in Spore and Asia, so it's a real eye-opener for them. I just loved the look of shock and enlightenment whenever I showed them another dimension, another view, another different face and taste of S'pore. I say 'enlightenment', because one of their silly friends was wondering why they want to come to Spore, after all there is to it are 'cabanas'. Yes, balmy little coco huts in a fishing village. *groan*

I did showed them the very tall 'cabanas' of Clarke Quay and their eyes opened wide and they laughed and proclaimed 'And my friends ask us why we come to Spore???' Right on, dudes. I also showed them the 'cabanas' of Chinatown, Little India, Bedok, Siglap, Pasir Ris, East Coast Parkway, Sentosa, Orchard Road, St James, etc and they loved it all. Their week here also coincided with National Day and it just adds to their and my enlightenment that we've achieved a hell of a lot for a young nation. Yes, we might not have the Colosseo or Leaning Tower, or a Great wall to boot but we've got our own unique identity, languages (Singlish included), cheap shiok local food and a healthy economy to be damn proud of. Challenges ahead are to develop a greater civic mind and higher consciousness in a green, sustainable and open society.

Anyway I still have my reservations about the Merlion but hey I always tell visitors to have a look and keep an open mind. We painted the town red during the long National Day weekend and boogied to Mambo Jambo at Zouk (the coolest cabana) on sabato, followed by a sumptuous Sunday Brunch at Paulaner B where the tipsy ragazzi went around toasting 'salute' to every table of bemused guests. We then napped a drowsy afternoon away before trotting over to the Night Safari to appreciate the beautiful animals, especially the cool cats (they are too majestic to be caged up like that)! Needless to say, the boys had a smashing time and I'm pretty sure they will be back very soon.