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10/12/2008
Disneyland or beggars paradise
Orchard Road is the closest we can get to being another Disneyland. The cool and rich shop there and are seen there. The heartlanders will find it quite an expensive place to be. The parking and CBD charges will be enough to burn a hole in their pockets, unless they go there by public transport. You need to pay to be in Singapore's Disneyland.
But this Disneyland is in a state of transformation. Other than the foreign workers and maids gathering there to size each other up for a weekend tryst, or for some serious business transactions, there is another big group of people seen regularly at Orchard Road. The beggar sects of all the neighbouring countries have turned Orchard Road into their business district and playground. From buskers to beggars, to monks and conmen, they lined the famous sidewalks of Orchard Road, mingling around and inhaling the expensive perfumery, and the beautiful shops and their gorgeous wares.
The Twains have met, in Orchard Road. Both extremes found Orchard Road a paradise in their own ways. The rich and famous, the poor and ragged, are all in Orchard Road. A Disneyland and also a beggars paradise.
Don't judge a book by its cover. There may be some gems among the dirt. Have you not heard of beggars living in private houses?
ReplyDeleteThe crowds at Hong Lim park yesterday also appeared to be made up of solely old uncles and aunties, simply dressed old souls who, if they wonder into those posh Orchard Road shops might draw dirty looks of disdain or contempt. Those are the real gems.
The city is for everyone. Diversity is what gives the city a glow of character.
ReplyDeleteSoon gamblers of all sorts may joined the crowds in Orchard, when the IR a stone throwed away at Mariner South opened. Main Contributors should comes from Genting Malaysia and Bintang Indonesia.
ReplyDeleteIt is only fair that beggars and shoppers share a public place.
ReplyDeleteDear redbean; You can't be suggesting that beggars be banned from Orchard Road. And the Claim that there are beggars in Singapore does not stand. One of our Cabinet Member can vouch proudly to the World that there are no beggars in Sg. He certainly does not want to be accused of telling lie.
patriot
Patriot is right. Singapore where got beggars.
ReplyDeleteindeed they are not beggars but professionals. don't be surprise many are foreign talents.
ReplyDeleteindeed they are not beggars but professionals. don't be surprise many are foreign talents.
ReplyDeleteIn other words 'talented foreign beggars'. That's evolution in paradise.
ReplyDeleteIf the beggars stick to PUBLIC space, they have a right to be there. Just like everyone else.
ReplyDeleteuhh, they may be invited to stay in some freedom homes.
ReplyDelete