Singapore feature article

Last week's task was to create a feature article about Singapore and its culture. So here I let you mine, and I hope you enjoy it.


Singapore's National Day Celebration

Last Friday August 5th, we had the chance to be part of a magnificent celebration, in which as many cultures as you can think of, were present to give honours to Singapore's independence. 

This country was first created as a port, and was part of the United Kingdom. Given its nature and geographical position in the South East Asia, it was highly populated by immigrants and also, it is known for being a "melting pot", as some authors refer to it, because of their racial diversity: 75% of the population is Chinese, while the other percentages are mainly Malay, Indian and British. The British empire separated the population in neighbourhoods, that we can still appreciate nowadays. But this is not an obligation, as it was in the past. Now people is free to live wherever they want, but of course, the tradition still remains. And one of the most important things that Singaporeans have learned, is that everyone, no matter their race, their colour or religion, has the same possibilities than the other ones: they practise the meritocracy at its best. Not for nothing, their motto is "Onward, Singapore", and they are called the "Lion City". It is a really small country, but don't look at it as bad, as they are the World's 4th leading financial centre.

We have to imagine that there's no only racial differences, but also from religion. Buddhism, Taoism, Shenism, Christianism, Catholics, Hiunduism and Muslim religions predominate. So it's not rare for tourists to watch a huge different kind of buildings for practising religion. 

Race and religion...Is there something else? Of course, that's why the "melting pot" is important: diversity of languages, and perhaps the most important thing, different types of food! Yeah, that's right. Because here you can find as many as different dishes as you wish to, and you ask for them either talking in Chinese, English, Malay or Tamil. Isn't that great? You can have for breakfast Asian food, then for lunch European, and don't forget for the evening, a mixture of those plates: Singaporean food!

So, if you want to travel somewhere, and you don't know how to choose, then Singapore's the perfect place, as you'll find aspects from many cultures, mixed up in this marvelous "pot". But watch out, as if you think that they accept everyone to come and stay more than what their visa lets them, that's not correct. Let me tell you that if you overstay your permission for 90 days, then, according to the law, you might receive a canning punishment...And that won't be something very nice. So, I'd recommend you to visit this place, learn about the World's diversity, and if you can choose when to travel, the best moment is at beggining of August, as you'll be able to see all this I've been talking to, celebrating their independence!