After three weeks in Singapore, I finally flew back to Buenos Aires last weekend, touching down at the Ministro Pistarini airport on Sunday evening.
When the Emirates air stewardess announced over the intercom that we were able to use our handphones, I turned my phone off airplane mode.
The first piece of news I received was this – a Bloomberg article reporting the passing of Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew.
My heart sank, heavy with grief and sadness.
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Lee Kuan Yew’s death, which I only got to know about through an article when still on the airplane, thousands of miles away from home, was hard to take it.
I guess, in that moment, I wished to be with fellow Singaporeans who understood that loss of a man whose impact and influence on both his nation and the world was irrefutable, and cannot be diminished even in death.
His passing is a loss that most Singaporeans, young or old, rich or poor, would personally feel as their own.
(For an updated coverage of Lee Kuan Yew’s passing and the outpouring of responses to it, read the Straits Times’ live blog).
In the past few weeks that I was back in Singapore, essentially Lee Kuan Yew’s lifelong project, I saw the city-nation through both tourist and citizen eyes.
Walking about my homeland, which turns 50 years old this coming August 9th, I found parts of which I identified with, and other parts which seemed strange, foreign and new.
There were days that I simply carried my camera around, waiting for moments of inspiration to spring.
I walked around Arab Street and Haji Lane in Bugis, one of my favorite streets in Singapore.
I took mostly everyday snippets, not the typical photos of tourist destinations.
On certain days, when I was lucky, I’d find a view that stopped me long enough to want to capture it in frame.
I passed by my alma mater, Singapore Management University (or SMU for short), and a flood of memories poured over me.
The last Friday before I flew off, my dear mum took half-day leave to spend time with me and just hang out.
We had lunch at Ngee Ann city, then walked around town and city hall, shopped abit, and later my mum patiently waited as I snapped pictures of this beautiful country in which I’d grown up in.
We wandered around Chijmes, the previous convent compound that is now a complex of shops, restaurants and bars, existing side-by-side with the cathedral.
Looking at the country – as developed and fast-paced as it is today – it’s hard to believe Singapore is barely 50 years old.
50 years may seem long (considering I am but 30 this year), but for a nation’s age, it is really a short span of time.
In just a mere half-century, Singapore has grown way beyond its physical size and despite its lack of natural resources.
In these five decades just past, a tiny nation has grown to be among the most important countries in Asia, and an important global influence.
There are many other parts of Singapore that I would have loved to capture, although I regret that I didn’t have the necessary time to do so.
The next time I’m back, I promise I’ll cover more.
Dear Felicia,
I am proud that you have not forgotten our founding father of Singapore. Since the day when our first prime minister (Mr Lee Kuan Yew, LKY) was lying in state in the Singapore Parliament House for public to pay their last respects on Wednesday (Mar 25) morning, the crowd has streamed now stopped (24 hours) even it was just a gleam of his coffin, after having to queue for several hours. Current news update (at this point of my post) announced that it would take 8-9 hours to go in. This outpouring of expression clearly testifies the great respects people have for LKY who had sacrificed his life-time and dedication for building up Singapore a little island, (that many critics back in early days doomed Singapore to fail) without any natural resources and with many social problems, is now a global cosmopolitan city, admired by world over.
His influence goes beyond Singapore. Former US president will lead a US delegation to Singapore to join the State Funeral this Sunday, plus other world leaders (eg Indian Prime Minister etc), an exception to usual protocols. LKY would go do in history as a great leader – stated by leaders from the various countries.
On Wednesday (Mr 25) I accompanied uncle Chris to pay the respects. On Thursday afternoon (Mar 26)I accompanied my staff to show our respects after few hours of queuing. Tonight around (Mar 27) 11.00 pm, I will accompany mummy and Ronald to the Parliament House – joining the priority queue for the seniors, hopefully that the queue time to be be shorter. I benefited very much from the systems he had built. My visits are just a small act of kindness to honor him. There would not be other time for me do so again. The time taken is just equal to my three rounds of my golf games!
His passing is both a sad and a happy moment – to celebrate his great contributions.
Daddy.
Daddy, wish I could be back home in Singapore during this mourning period – it’s a special moment that can only be understood by fellow Singaporeans. You’re right – the outpouring of messages, tributes and the immense queues under the hot sun for the people to just pay their last respects is overwhelming, and at the same time, worthy of what LKY has done for the country.
Felicia… thank you for sharing your Singapore with us! The photos are beautiful. Appreciate the small history lesson 🙂
Hi Tina, your comment brought a smile to my face this Friday! I’m so happy you enjoyed the photos and the small history lesson! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you around again!
Nice trip home, Felicia! Colonial fusion with modern… style!
Gracias Tincho!!
Hello Flea!
Happy to see that you’re back to regular posting!
Your mom looks so regal and beautiful in the photo you took of her! Btw, the third photo of this post (along upper cross street) – is the route I typically take to work. Oh so familiar, but I am happier if I don’t have to work. HEH.
There is a palpable sense of loss in the air with LKY’s passing. PM declared 7 day period of national mourning. The radio stations were playing classical music all of yesterday, even 98.7 and Class 95. Today, they have switched to music w lyrics but more sombre music.
MISS YOU babe. Wish you were here!!!
Hey Jin! 🙂
That photo on cross street was taken after our lunch last Thursday at Chinatown point! Haha. And i like how you say it, that my mum looks regal in that photo!
MISS YOU ALREADY!!!!
Que lindo Felicia!! Que lugar más increíble.
Me encantaría conocerlo. Tus fotos son lindísimas!!
Hola Maru!! Gracias! Ojala que puedas conocer a Singapur un dia! Es un pais re lindo, aunque un poquito lejos de Argentina!