Singapore First Impressions

Viewed during the approach to the airport, I see no structure under four stories high. The airport itself is not very crowded. Everything is in English. There are just a few more Asians and few less Europeans than I would see in SFO. I feel very comfortable here. There is no line at immigration, baggage claim, or customs. The people at the info desk speak a native English. The road into town is lush, with lots of purple blooms lining the parkway. There is hardly any traffic. Not once on my way to the hotel do I see structures under four stories, until we get to the Arab district. Here and in a few other areas are small side streets with two-story residential over retail. The rest of the city is Towers on the Green, with dozens of towers over 20 stories. The architectural details are beautiful, and they use lots of many-colored stone for the walks and plazas. The city reminded me a bit of Macau, a brightly colored mix of Asian and European styles. I saw a Germany-style traffic-safety-for-kids park, a riverside Ferris wheel like in Vienna, colonnades that make me think of Prague or Rome, and a beachfront that reminds me of the Lido near Venice. The people look Asian, but dress like its LA.