Singapore Swings

Greetings from Singapore! Even though I have had the chance to speak to mom and dad by telephone almost every day since we got here (the wonders of modern travel and low-cost international phone cards), I have not checked in to greet all of the blog readers. So hello to you all. My family has told me that several of you have asked about how we are doing, so I thought I would give a brief update. Charles, James and I are happy and well and loving this wonderful city. It is not all caning and anti-gum chewing here, despite the many jokes we heard before leaving the US. Signapore is actually an incredible Southeast Asian success story, and while it is true that the government is authoritarian and more big-daddy than big-brother, it is also efficient, virtually incorruptable, and pragmatic in its approach to bulding the city's wealth and standard of living. Singaporians have a great deal of civic pride and we do not see any trace of the kind of poverty rampant in most of the world, including our own country. We love living in such a polyethnic city with a large Chinese, Malay, and Indian population. In addition to local kids, James has become friends with kids from India, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and China. And, most importantly, the food is incredible!! Martin is going to help us set up a Singaore blog for anyone who may be interested in hearing more. We will provide that link when it is up. All our best to all of you! Posted by Dani at September 22, 2004 07:44 PM