What's Old in Singapore?

Dear Readers,

I'm getting ready to return to the States for three weeks over Easter. Before I go, I needed to take care of some things and get some engagements out of the way.

First of all, I was booked on the Sultan Tour which included a tour with the women of the American Association of the oldest surviving section of Singapore. This was the area where Lord Raffles first landed to see what he could get for the British and away from the Dutch. He found a Malaysian tribe living in houses along the beach eeking out a living as fishermen and pirates. At the same time, the first born son of the sultan (of Johor who ruled the area) had been kicked off the throne by his younger brother. His head had a price on it so he came to Raffles and said-make me Sultan of Singapore. Sure, Raffles said, just deed the property to us and we will keep the money coming. So he did and the rest was history. We tour the oldest sections of streets allowed to remain as long as they are kept up. Beach street now was where the water was before they recovered the land and expanded the island (Just two blocks over). The sultan built a mosque for the family and the people. Eventually, the British got tired of the sultans and ran them back to Malaysia. The king of the pirates then asked for the title-in return for hassling all ships not belonging to the British. Good Deal. The pirates built a home for their new Sultan and there they loved until just recently when the government threw them out. I understand that 300 people were living in the compound. The home is now a museum.

We toured the mosque-run by a Muslim convert from Indiana, USA. Naturally he spoke perfect English! Because he was American. I understand he converted from Catholicism. Anyway, we saw where they pray five times a day, where women are excluded upstairs, and the pray carpets provided by the Saudi family. They sell compasses for people who need to know where Mecca is everywhere in the world. Around the blocks surrounding the church are shops selling the Muslim products no one wants to be without. There are perfumes without alcohol. Prayer rugs. Hats. Outfits for pilgrimage. Head scarves. After the mosque, we headed over to the Sultan's House and then walked to the Muslim cemetery where the sultans are buried. Here things have fallen on bad times. The grounds were swampy and jungle like. There were hundreds of markers-Muslims are buried in shrouds with the head touching the earth. A pointed monument tells you it's a male and a flat topped monument indicates a female. There are no names. The sultans are on a raised platform with gold material tied to the monuments to indicate royolty. The guide told us that the cemetery was slated for destruction and a block of public housing is coming to be built over top.

If land isn't taken care, three letters go out, and then Bam, the land automatically falls to the government who builds on it.

The next day I took a taxi to the Raffles Town Club for the annual American fashion show. Here the members model clothes of various shops and mostly their tailor friends. Some models were skinny and some were real women-250 lbs worth. Not everyone looks good in a wrap dress or tube dress. I especially was fond of the lady with the Harley Davis tattoo on her back. Seems she rode a hog back in the States.

The big news I learned at the show was that you can spin bamboo fibers and make clothes out of them. Bamboo is so versatile-you can put it in soup, feed it to pandas, and go fishing with it. Now you can wear it.

The chocolate panels up at the hotel are almost finished. The chiefs from Taiwan, China, and other places were flow in to do the carving. I have been eating samples from the work at the desk there in a jar. They know Tammy on sight. "You again?" they ask. Unfortunately the hot tub at the hotel has been broke for months now and we are ticked. We really liked soaking up there after a hard day of touring, fashion shows, and chocolate eating. The easter delights have sold out!

Well, got to go. They upped my suitcase limit to 70 lbs. I can pack more it now! See you. May the Easter bunny bring you calorie free treats and good weather.