A Walk through Little India

When in a foreign country, expats seem to congregate in certain areas and recreate a "bit of home". Folks of Indian ethnic descent make up about 9% of the population of Singapore and quite a few of them live in this lovely enclave of Singapore called "Little India". Here, there are many restaurants featuring HOT (SPICY) Indian food, little shops selling exotic spices, unusual vegetables, colorful Saris, and gorgeous, elaborate gold jewelry.
I was especially intrigued by the baskets of colorful blossoms that were being strung together into floral arrangements -- somewhat similar in style to the Hawaiian lei.  Imagine the smell of pikake & carnations!!  & the orchids were colorful and plentiful.

Raw materials for stringing together

Final product- ready to sell

The Hindi temple was in the center of Little India.  It had very elaborate decorations carved all over the outside of the building. After first taking off my shoes to respect traditional customs, I took a peek inside.  The inside was even more ornate with various, finely detailed gold statues of the various Hindi Gods and Goddesses.

 

An offering of bananas had been left at the alter.

This is how some of the floral arrangements that I had seen being made earlier were being used.

After leaving the temple I came upon this unusual sight on a nearby side street.  Doesn't this remind you of a Dr. Seuss story?  Colorful umbrellas were attached to artificial trees in a tiny park--- a work of conceptual art and much needed respite from the ever present bright sunshine. Why umbrellas? Maybe because it rains a lot here!  (But not today -- HOT & SUNNY in December)

Having a bit of a sit down rest under the umbrella tree's shade

Also in Little India is one of the biggest department stores in Singapore, Mustafas.  It is a combo of an electronics, grocery, jewelry, clothing, fabric, toy, ---well, you name it-- store.  We bought a marsala chicken spice packet to try at home and then headed out.  On the way to the metro station to catch a train home,  we saw a big group exercise session.  I was tempted to join in as the beat of the music was  lively and loud. However, the chicken marsala was not going to make itself, so we boarded the metro back to Troy's house.  He has PLENTY of exercises for me to do--HA!!  He is a good personal trainer -- my blood pressure is down, weight down, and I am having the best sabbatical ever!