Last week, I came back at Singapore again. It is the fifth visit for me. Since my brother-in-law live there, Singapore became my first country that I visited more than once. Singapore is a comfortable country to live compare to my country, Indonesia. The wealthy, safety, structured country are stunned me.

My first visit in Singapore was around 2011 or 2012 before I got married. I visited Universal Studios Singapore (USS) and Merlion Statue. It was my first time amaze with its public transportation.

I went everywhere by MRT. I was astonished with EZ-link card that can be used for MRT and bus. At that time, in Jakarta there was no KMT (Kartu Multi Trip for MRT, LRT, KRL and Transjakarta). Even the MRT had not existed yet!

I really enjoyed my Singapore trip because I love USS. However, I felt like the people was so ‘cold’. They were busy with their phone, no smile nor eye contact. It was different with Indonesian who like to smile and great everyone. I admitted it was my first time to go abroad. I felt like I think I cannot live in here. They were too ignorant.

The second time visiting Singapore was with my husband and my older son. He was a year old at that time. Therefore, we went to Singapore Zoo, Haji Lane, and Orchard Road. We stayed at my brother-in-law apartment at Punggol, northeast region in Singapore.

My third time was only with my children, my 3 years old son and 1 year old daughter. It was my longest visiting at Singapore for about two weeks. Since I accompanied my sister-in-law getting birth.

This time, mostly we stayed in apartment and walking around neighborhood. I accompanied my nieces went to school and sometimes went to nearest mall. Fortunately, there were many playgrounds around apartment, so that my children like to play while I sunbathe every morning.

One day, I followed my brother’s family to public clinic (kind of puskesmas in Indonesia). I forgot what for we went to clinic, but I just mesmerized with the clinic. It was a public clinic but felt like private hospital in Indonesia.

I cannot help myself to compare those public facilities with what we have in Indonesia. The clinic was so clean, quiet, and no queues. Everyone came as their appointments. Otherwise, we should pay more, if we want to get this kind of facilities.

Another moment, I saw a letter for my brother and sister. It was a tax letter. They told me that the bill was little or almost zero, because they should afford four kids and elderly parents. FYI, my sister and their kids are Singaporean, only my brother is Permanent Resident and Indonesian. Both of them have a job.

I just envy how government take care of their citizen. Slowly my feeling was changing about living here. I found comfortable and safety of living here.

Continued to part 2: Feel in Love With Hougang