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Friday 7 January 2011

Christmas in Singapore

One thing about Australia, made worse by the fact that it's an isolated island, is the lack of effort and spirit for Christmas.  There are almost no decorations in the cities or shopping centres and the political and cultural corrected-ness is really pushing the limits.  People do not wish each other a happy Christmas and schools have banned any mention of the celebration so not to offend those who do not celebrate Christmas.  That's all well and good but instead of sweeping religion and tradition under the carpet why not embrace the many traditions of the many people living in Australia?

From what I remember the guide saying, over 30% of people living in Singapore are not Christian and it was so humbling and emotional for me seeing people of all religions and nationalities enjoying the Christmas parade on Orchard Road, taking photos of Christmas trees and nativity scenes.  Even girls in hijabs wearing santa hats!  It really made me believe in man kind again and remember that we can all live together  and embrace the best of each others traditions.

The 3 countries I visited in Asia made me realise how much happier these people are than I am.  Singapore is a very affluent country.  Clean, polite and looked after.   And the shopping? WOW.

The Balinese people are the happiest people on the planet, I have no doubt!  They have very little, some of them live in cardboard boxes, yet the smallest things make their day and bring a smile to their face.  I bought 3 plastic bags full of hand made art for about USD20 and told the lady to "keep the change", the change would have been less than 50 cents, yet you couldn't wipe the smile off her face.  She wanted to kiss my hand.   All week I was thinking - why can't I be this happy all the time too?  Why don't the simple things in life always make me happy every single day?  Why did I see a scarf in Zara in Singapore and obsess over it for 3 days, feeling restless until I went back to purchase it.  It's a SCARF?????

Food for thought.

Hope you enjoy the Christmas themed photos as much as I enjoyed the 25th in Singapore!  It's Orthodox Christmas Eve tonight, so this post ties in well.  If you're Orthodox, I wish you and your loved ones a safe and blessed night and day.  Hristos se Rodi.  Christ is Born.


Macaron Christmas tree at the buffet





Orchard Road


Chanel windows




Takashimaya Department Store


Tree outside of ION shopping mall





Foam as snow!!




Raffles Hotel tree

13 comments:

  1. Hi girl...
    I love the Chanel decoratio, but I also love hearing about other people and their christmas traditions...

    Thanks for sharing:)

    Have a great day.

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  2. Hope you enjoyed Singapore, I know I did! Gosh we have photos of a lot of the same things, I wonder if we saw each other and didn't realise? That Chanel window on Orchard Road near Ngee Ann City was amazing....

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  3. Hi - welcome back! That Chanel window is my fave...I have a thing for doilies! Lou x

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  4. Anonymous9:56 am

    Oh my god I miss Singapore SO much. These photos have KILLED me, I must get back there this year. STAT!!!

    You're right about the lack of effort here, I think it's "generally". You should see Singapore during Chinese New Year - it's gorgeous, they make an effort. I wish we did too. Even the way the girls dress there is an effort - no slap dash.

    Isn't it funny the way our happiness has become so lost in materials, work and money. Whenever we send boxes of old clothes etc, to our family in the Philippines they put photos up on Facebook of them opening the boxes - they are SO happy to get our things that we would have otherwise thrown out.

    Sometimes we lose the ability to find happiness in the simple things, in things we already have.

    Can't wait to see more photos of your trip!!!

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  5. Comparing Norway to Australia: Here the stores are eager to start Christmas in the beginning of October! I know a lot of us thinks that's a bit over the top. Sort of getting tired of Christmas decorations long before December. But celebrate Christmas, we certainly do.

    The only political correctness that I know of has taken place in schools and kindergartens, where some moslems have complained about their children being exposed to what they consider are Christian traditions. So some places they no longer have Christmas celebrations in class, or make Christmas decorations for their parents. I think that is so sad. Why give up on our traditions for immigrants? Better the minority take their children off those activities and uphold our country's cultural traditions.

    I truly enjoyed your photos from Singapore. It looks very festive. I've been there once, many years ago. Had Singapore Slings at the Raffles Hotel. Ah...the memories of my backpacking round-the-world journey when I was 20. :)

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  6. Lovely picts!

    I like ti =)

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    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous9:30 pm

    We had those same Chanel decorations in Sydney!

    I wish the Coco dolls were for sale, I love them.

    I found some of the shops on Castlereagh street were pretty. Tiffanys and Cartier both had gorgeous greenery on their doors, but so many places don't do anything.

    Sad. :(

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  8. Merry Christmas Eve to you Milijana! I'm so happy your trip was both relaxing and enlightening. I loved hearing about the simplicity of life and how grateful people are for the smallest niceties. A good reminder for me too...less really is more.

    xoxo,
    Carrie

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  9. Happy Christmas to you Milijana... Love your photographs from Singapore - land of my birth so very special to me. And the Chanel dollies are so cute. x

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  10. Great pictures! Love the Chanel windows!:)
    you have such a great blog by the way!i'm happy i ran into it:) I really like your style and reading your posts!
    So i'm your newest follower:)
    hope you visit me back and become my follower too!
    Love,fashionfabrice!
    Have a fabulous day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lovely post. Yes it would be a much better place if we all celebrated each other. It is good to celebrate. Xxxx

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  12. I agree with your thoughts on Australia not putting in enough effort with Christmas. I love Singapore and the streets look amazing at Christmas time

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