7/22

I visited an area in Singapore that once was their shoreline.  Today it is several miles inland because Singapore has added land to their edges.  This gives them space to grow.

This area, like most of Singapore, is a cross section of Asia.  The buildings had shops on the first floor and houses above.  This architecture is carried out in other structures as well probably because the overhang provides shelter from the heat.  I have taken some pictures of the houses that interested me. 

There are Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Moslem places of worship.  Churches look like those from the states, but the others reflect differences.  As we walked around I took pictures of these places of worship. 

We did not feel welcome at the Mosque so I did not go inside.  Shoes are not allowed in any of these places of worship.  At the mosque, I saw a man washing his feet, hands, and face before he entered the mosque.  

For the past month, Moslems who make up the largest religious group in the region, have been celebrating Ramadan.  It is a month of fasting during the day and breaking the fast in the evening.  The month is based on a lunar calendar so the timing will change every year.  Observance of the fast is one of the five pillars of their faith.  I was told by a cab driver that the evenings are celebratory and the streets in the neighborhoods are filled with lights.  I am not sure I would be welcome there or I would visit.

Mosque

The Buddhist Temple is very old.  It is more like an open air porch than a typical building in the states.  There were people bringing flowers and fruit as gifts.  There were incense sticks burning at the front and several people used the incense to cleanse themselves before entering the temple.  The feeling of this temple was very welcoming.  I did not understand the symbols, but I was appreciative of the gentle love that was here.

Outside of Buddhist Temple

Incense for purification

Look at altar in Buddhist Temple

The Hindu Temple was being renovated but I was able to take some pictures of both the outside and inside.  In the Hindu tradition, living things are sacred especially the cow.  The outside of the temple was decorated with animals and gods of their tradition. 

Hindu Temple exterior

Hindu Temple

Shiva

Shiva is a very important god. 

I love to find things that I do not expect.  This was one of them. 

This appears to be a monument, but it is actually a musical instrument.  The columns are struck on both sides to create a particular resonance.  I am sure this is done on special occasions. 

July 25

I went to deposit my first pay check yesterday.  If you have cash, you deposit in ways that you would recognize, ATM or teller.  A customer told me that checks are treated differently.  You drop the check in a slot in the wall.  I put my name, account # and phone # on it.  There is no envelope or anything.  The slot was partially open and I could see other checks inside.  I got nervous and decided to wait to talk to someone before I left my money.