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SINGAPORE DAY 2 - AN ARMENIAN IN SINGAPORE
eTravelBlackboard - Asia Edition
Dec 6 2012
One thing I never expected from my time in Singapore was the chance
to delve into my Armenian heritage.
Heading into the muggy day outside, Toon He gushed that he was proud
to show me the influence that Armenians had on this city.
Our first stop is the Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Gregory the
Illuminator built in 1835 - the first church ever built in Singapore
due to the growing number of Armenians in the city.
The smooth white columns beamed in the sunlight and we wondered
through the memorial garden as Toon He told me the stories of some
of those buried there.
Responsible for a lot of the socio-economic development in Singapore,
I was surprised to find out that there has never been large numbers
of the nationality residing in the city (approximately 100 families
at their peak in the 1880s) but that didn't stop them from making a
huge impact.
Little did I know that when I poured through the national English
newspaper, the Straits Times, that morning that it was co-founded by
an Armenian man named Catchick Moses (Movessian) who sold the paper
in 1846 because it was unprofitable. How times change!
Nor did I know that when I made my pilgrimage to Raffles Hotel during
my last trip to Singapore to sample their signature Singapore Sling,
that the hotel was founded by the Armenian Sarkies brothers: Martin,
Arshak, Aviet and Tigran.
Or the beautiful national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim. That
was unveiled by Agnes Joaquim who was born in Singapore in 1854 of
Armenian descent.
She presented the flower in 1899 at a flower show and won the $12 first
prize. Three months later she passed away from cancer at the age of
44. In 1981 her flower was designated Singapore's national flower.
As we wander past Agnes' grave I gaze at The Parsonage that is
reminiscent of a homestead from the deep South of America. It seems
like such a waste to sit there empty of inhabitants.
The church is heritage listed and not a regular place of worship now
but it does attract visitors because of its cultural significance
and Toon He says that it is sometimes used for celebrations including
weddings with a priest flown in for the occasion.
We speak to an Armenian couple visiting from Israel, I light a candle
for my family, make a donation, sign the guest book and feel a sense
of pride at my culture for not only integrating into a society so
different from their own but also for making such a difference.
Heading down Armenian Street (yes there is even a street) we make our
way to the Singapore Flyer where Toon He educates me on the feng shui
aspects of the observation wheel.
The number 28 is very auspicious in Chinese numerology and this was
taken into consideration when building the attraction that would
grace the Singapore skyline and attract millions of people every year.
28 carriages, carrying 28 people each, cycles 28 times a day. So
why 28?
The number 28 is thought to mean a doubling of prosperity (I am
very happy with this meaning given I was born on the 28th) and, not
only was the significance of this number taken into consideration
when building the attraction, but also the direction in which the
observation wheel turned to ensure that prosperity was being brought
into Singapore and not being sent out of the city.
Stomachs grumbling from the morning's activities, we head nearby to
finally experience some local grub.
Hainan chicken melts in my mouth and Toon He runs off every few
minutes to add another dish to our overflowing table.
Beef broth, fried egg, coconut juice...the dishes arrive endlessly
and he entertains me with stories of his time in a city that captures
my heart at every turn.
Keen to do a spot of shopping before my flight, we head to Chinatown.
Inexpensive stalls line the streets and I pick up more than a few
bargains and souvenirs before Toon He leads me to meet someone whom
I want to pack in my suitcase - a reflexologist.
Body pummelled and a lecture to drink more water absorbed, I decide
to make a visit to the doctor - the Fish Doctor.
Yes I was going to place my hands and feet in a tank of water and
have tiny fish nibble away at my dead skin.
Thinking about it made my stomach turn but, this year had been filled
with new experiences and who was I to refuse the hungry mouths of
all those fish?
Something that is considered so 'traditional' funnily enough had no
locals participating in the 'ritual'.
Instead, they watched with amused grins on their faces as myself
and four other Aussies took to the tanks and squealed as the fish
made contact.
Toon He laughed and told me he had never experienced the 'spa'
treatment before but, for some reason, wouldn't accept my invitation
to join in the fun.
Feet and hands smooth as a baby's behind, we take on the heat of the
day for one last stop before the airport - the bustling Little India
which was preparing for Deepavali.
In one day I had delved into Armenian, Singaporean, Chinese and Indian
cultures in a city that I had sworn I'd never return to but now was
loathe to leave.
http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/article/88107/singapore-day-2-an-armenian-in-singapore
eTravelBlackboard - Asia Edition
Dec 6 2012
One thing I never expected from my time in Singapore was the chance
to delve into my Armenian heritage.
Heading into the muggy day outside, Toon He gushed that he was proud
to show me the influence that Armenians had on this city.
Our first stop is the Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Gregory the
Illuminator built in 1835 - the first church ever built in Singapore
due to the growing number of Armenians in the city.
The smooth white columns beamed in the sunlight and we wondered
through the memorial garden as Toon He told me the stories of some
of those buried there.
Responsible for a lot of the socio-economic development in Singapore,
I was surprised to find out that there has never been large numbers
of the nationality residing in the city (approximately 100 families
at their peak in the 1880s) but that didn't stop them from making a
huge impact.
Little did I know that when I poured through the national English
newspaper, the Straits Times, that morning that it was co-founded by
an Armenian man named Catchick Moses (Movessian) who sold the paper
in 1846 because it was unprofitable. How times change!
Nor did I know that when I made my pilgrimage to Raffles Hotel during
my last trip to Singapore to sample their signature Singapore Sling,
that the hotel was founded by the Armenian Sarkies brothers: Martin,
Arshak, Aviet and Tigran.
Or the beautiful national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim. That
was unveiled by Agnes Joaquim who was born in Singapore in 1854 of
Armenian descent.
She presented the flower in 1899 at a flower show and won the $12 first
prize. Three months later she passed away from cancer at the age of
44. In 1981 her flower was designated Singapore's national flower.
As we wander past Agnes' grave I gaze at The Parsonage that is
reminiscent of a homestead from the deep South of America. It seems
like such a waste to sit there empty of inhabitants.
The church is heritage listed and not a regular place of worship now
but it does attract visitors because of its cultural significance
and Toon He says that it is sometimes used for celebrations including
weddings with a priest flown in for the occasion.
We speak to an Armenian couple visiting from Israel, I light a candle
for my family, make a donation, sign the guest book and feel a sense
of pride at my culture for not only integrating into a society so
different from their own but also for making such a difference.
Heading down Armenian Street (yes there is even a street) we make our
way to the Singapore Flyer where Toon He educates me on the feng shui
aspects of the observation wheel.
The number 28 is very auspicious in Chinese numerology and this was
taken into consideration when building the attraction that would
grace the Singapore skyline and attract millions of people every year.
28 carriages, carrying 28 people each, cycles 28 times a day. So
why 28?
The number 28 is thought to mean a doubling of prosperity (I am
very happy with this meaning given I was born on the 28th) and, not
only was the significance of this number taken into consideration
when building the attraction, but also the direction in which the
observation wheel turned to ensure that prosperity was being brought
into Singapore and not being sent out of the city.
Stomachs grumbling from the morning's activities, we head nearby to
finally experience some local grub.
Hainan chicken melts in my mouth and Toon He runs off every few
minutes to add another dish to our overflowing table.
Beef broth, fried egg, coconut juice...the dishes arrive endlessly
and he entertains me with stories of his time in a city that captures
my heart at every turn.
Keen to do a spot of shopping before my flight, we head to Chinatown.
Inexpensive stalls line the streets and I pick up more than a few
bargains and souvenirs before Toon He leads me to meet someone whom
I want to pack in my suitcase - a reflexologist.
Body pummelled and a lecture to drink more water absorbed, I decide
to make a visit to the doctor - the Fish Doctor.
Yes I was going to place my hands and feet in a tank of water and
have tiny fish nibble away at my dead skin.
Thinking about it made my stomach turn but, this year had been filled
with new experiences and who was I to refuse the hungry mouths of
all those fish?
Something that is considered so 'traditional' funnily enough had no
locals participating in the 'ritual'.
Instead, they watched with amused grins on their faces as myself
and four other Aussies took to the tanks and squealed as the fish
made contact.
Toon He laughed and told me he had never experienced the 'spa'
treatment before but, for some reason, wouldn't accept my invitation
to join in the fun.
Feet and hands smooth as a baby's behind, we take on the heat of the
day for one last stop before the airport - the bustling Little India
which was preparing for Deepavali.
In one day I had delved into Armenian, Singaporean, Chinese and Indian
cultures in a city that I had sworn I'd never return to but now was
loathe to leave.
http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/article/88107/singapore-day-2-an-armenian-in-singapore