Chinatown

12” x 16”; Acrylic on Canvas; 2008

(Available in print only.)

My husband and I lived in Singapore for 6 months in 2008. Our apartment was right downtown in the middle of everything, and when he was done with work at the end of the day we would wander around the city until we found somewhere to eat. One of our favorite destinations was Chinatown. It was always bustling with hawkers and vendors, locals and tourists. Lanterns were strung overhead and the sound of hundreds of conversations buzzed in the air. We would find a spot to eat, and would sit for hours people-watching. I was so far from home, out of my comfort zone, but in many ways I found myself in Singapore.

I am not a city person. I love nature and solitude, and most cities are the antithesis of those things. Singapore is a rare exception. The city is pristine. The people I met were polite and friendly. There are conservatories and botanical gardens so beautifully designed that they block out any hint of the surrounding city and lend their visitors a sanctuary and opportunity to commune with nature. Living in Singapore was one of the greatest adventures of my life, and I hold the memories of that time close to my heart with the hopes of one day returning to the city I so love.