From Singapore

Did I mention how much I love Singapore? It’s… what? It’s like… an American oasis in the middle of the Asian-Pacific region. Heh. And, well, I’m American. So it feels rather like home. And that’s a good feeling, sometimes. Especially after a few months of being surrounded by absolutely nothing familiar, whatsoever.

But it’s like this: I’m hanging out in an airport that shames O’Hara International for overall pleasantness and efficiency, drinking a Nantucket Nectar, using free internet, and listening to some good jazz that’s playing. Yeah, I have a six hour layover between planes. But when it comes to layovers, I can’t think of another airport where I’d rather spend 6 hours.

So I had a Stewards Key Lime Pie soda with lunch, and– imagine this– they know how to make a good Americano here. It’s fantastic. It’s like America… with better food, and more diversity. And no civil liberties– but hey, you win some and you lose some. And right now I feel like I’m winning. Aside from that pesky cold that I came down with last night.

Really, though, I’m very impressed with Singapore. I mean, well, it doesn’t have a lot to offer in the way of scenic, natural beauties– but as far as cities go, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cleaner, more modern city. Somehow, Singapore manages to be as industrialized and developed as the United States, but without the grime, noise and pollution. Lots of big, green parks. Wide sidewalks. Quiet streets. And jazz, Nantucket Nectars, and diversity. =)

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It’s interesting: Bangalore’s International terminal, servicing a booming IT sector and 8 million people, is about the same size, and not nearly as nice as Bozeman’s airport. Serving, possibly, 50,000 people.

Changi is about the size of DIA. And it’s amazingly efficient. I’ve been through customs here twice, and never waited more than 30 seconds to go through immigration. I’ve even been greeted with a smile.

Mmm. Can I admit? It was a pleasant moment for me, this morning (around… when? 1:00AM?), when the immigrations officer in Bangalore quizzed me, “you don’t need a visa for Singapore?”

“Nope,” I replied. “I’m American.”

And, well, as long as I’m making confessions: my six months in SE Asia have had just the effect on me that I was afriad they might: I’m geniunely proud to be an American. I’m just as (if not more) aware of America’s shortcomings and faults, but being away from America has given me an opportunity to view, with a proper sense of perspective, how many good things America has going for it.

But I also find myself more determined than ever to do whatever I can to fight for and defend those things that make America great. And to fight and resist everything (see: Wal-mart, Dick Cheney, etc) who threaten American prosperity and emminence. Heh. What form that will take still remains to be seen. But I have plans, mind you…

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Hmm. Hotel California and free internet. I may never leave.