Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Exploration: Chinatown, SG.

The view that greets you upon exiting the MRT station, the hustle and bustle of street peddlers welcomes you.

The one in Singapore, that is. Conveniently accessible, its one of those places where Cantonese is still widely spoken and some older architectures still well preserved, among the modern towers and complexes. The infamous Yangtze Cinema is also located here, in Pearl's Centre to be exact and let me clarify firsthand that I HAD NEVER patronized it okay (if you don't understand, you'll do after clicking on that link). Oh, how can I forget all the variety of food available there *drools* Food, Glorious Food...

An intersection. Notice that the building's design and architecture are preserved? Doesn't it remind you of those TVB Drama series?

Another view (close-up) of the old-school buildings.

I've never really explored the lanes between the main road although I've been there a couple of times (McD dinner and Karaoke), and its just like 30 minutes walk from where I'm staying (in Singapore, if its walkable, its nearby, I think, cause they always say, very near only, walk 30 minutes can reach). One good thing is that, the peddlers won't hassle you to buy their products, but then again, I think its because I didn't look touristy enough for them to waste their effort on me. Unlike those in our very own Petaling Street who tends to 'attack' everyone.

I forgot what this building is but I do remember that the face-lift/renovation will be completed by May 31st, in conjuction with Wesak Day in Singapore. Nice hoh?

Felt as those I was standing infront of a rich man's quarters during the older days.

Some of these streets dates way back to those times when Chinese Immigrants first arrived in Singapore. I know because information stands were erected along famous streets. *grins* I remember vaguely there's one street where the Death Houses were, mainly for the sick with no chance of recovery, where they slowly wasted away, because dying in their own homes were unauspicious. There's another street where the Brothels were. It highlighted the hardship and suffering of the 'workers', one even murdered by the 'customer' who refused to pay, whom she chased after. So sad...

The emptiness felt as though the tables and chairs are set to serve the 'unseen'. That's how I felt after reading the history... E, who was with me, felt the same. *trembles* Dunno why it's a bit senget, cause I remember the preview looks alright.

Food stalls along the way. At night, this particular road is closed to cater for the hungry stomachs. Everything from Big Prawn Mee, Fishball Noodles, Braised Pork Knuckles, Seafood, etc. etc. Quite cheap too.

After much exploration, and much more indecisiveness later, we settled down for dinner at a corner shop selling congee, which is better known as porridge in Malaysia. That, my dear friends, will come later. In the mean time, here's a view of Chinatown at night and according to E, the view was marvellous during CNY, when it was fully decorated. Dang, I missed that!

Red lanterns coming to life at night. I don't really know why, but I quite like this picture.

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