Black Friday shopping thoughts

I’m grateful that I’ve already celebrated Christmas this year before I left home. We called it ThanksChristmas since we were compressing the two holidays into one, and it was a lovely little celebration with great people, awesome food and a few little gifts. I deplore the way Thanksgiving as a holiday has been hijacked by Christmas shopping and that a holiday meant to be about sharing and being grateful has been reduced to eating as quickly as you can so you can go get in line to shop. The Christmas shopping/spending frenzy is insane at best and I am thrilled that I don’t have to be a part of it this year. But I’ll be honest, in circumstances other than the Holiday Season, I like to shop, and I think that I’m hardly alone in that admission. Shop, not necessarily to buy, just to look and see what’s there. Shopping for me is a little bit zen as long as I’m not looking for anything in particular. It’s kind of like weeding or deadheading in the garden; you see everything going on around you, and notice the details as they wash over you, but they don’t detract from the whole of what you are doing. I find it almost relaxing. I come from sturdy shopping stock on both sides of my family, and I’m no stranger to a mall, however, even I was unprepared for the number of retail outlets available in Singapore. Singapore must surely have at least one restaurant for every man, woman and child who are legal residents here; food establishments are thicker than fleas on a dog and it’s a wonder that anyone cooks or eats at home. But I think there must be even more retail facilities, and it seems like every one of them, from the MRT stations to the most high-end mall, has a 7-11, go figure. And maybe a KFC. Certainly a McDonald’s and a Starbucks.

Art school I walked past on Hill Street

Many stores would be familiar to a North American shopper, as above, but also, Forever 21, H&M, Gap, Crocs, Bata, Nine West, AND all the really high end stores like Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Prada, Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana and of course, Birkenstock (who knew they would make the list? Maybe here today and gone tomorrow, but definitely here today). But also, there are malls filled with tailors, importers and small retail establishments that either make their own stuff or buy it made locally. Certainly there are plenty of knock-off and copy-cat places, plenty of touristy stalls with the same stuff you can find globally in any tourist place, but the sheer volume of goods is impressive. Within easy walking distance of our residence there are 3 large malls, move out a block or two more in any direction and there are two or three more. Many host salons, reflexology places, nail and waxing places, dentistry and day spas along side juice bars and coffee houses. Some are dedicated only to electronics, while others cater to a variety of services. Orchard Road alone must have a hundred malls (okay maybe not really 100, but a lot, maybe 30?), each one loaded to the gills with store fronts, restaurants, cinemas, and salons. Americans got nothing on Singaporeans in terms of shopping!

Some of the sights walking towards Little India

Walking towards Little India

But as I mentioned before, if there is something you need, and you don’t really want to pay top dollar, or you just want someplace to look around for a while, then Mustafa Center is your place. I walked up there the other day, taking in the sights along Hill street, where a number of churches stand, including the Armenian Church, the oldest Christian church in Singapore, and Chijmes, at one time a Catholic Convent.

Chijmes

Armenian Church

I meandered past the Bugis street shopping area, an interesting mix of shops and stalls packed, I mean shoulder to shoulder, with people. I made my way into Little India just in time for another heavy rain storm, hence the lack of photos of Little India itself, but spent a happy hour or two wandering the maze of floors and departments inside Mustafa. Once I emerged the rain had slowed enough to continue on home through Fort Canning park and rest my weary little feet. All I bought were limes, lime juice and some other sundry groceries. And, I’m grateful.

Across from Mustafa, small shops and restaurants fill Little India

A trip on the MRT to Mustafa!

On my second full day here in Singapore Ted had a day off from work and wanted to show me how to use the transit system so I would feel comfortable taking it on my own while he is working. We planned a trip to Little India to Mustafa, a retailer known for discounted goods and having just about anything you might need. Ted had been with a friend a few weeks back to buy some shirts for work and a new pair of shorts and knew it was the kind of place I would enjoy.

We walked over to the MRT station closest to us, Clarke Quay 90 steps station, a full 5 floors below street level. We took the NE line just 3 stops up to the Farrer Park station and disembarked just below City Square Mall. Once above ground again we walked through Little India to Mustafa.

Little India, on our way to Mustafa

Mustafa is a place that has to be seen to be believed. It is a multi building, multi storied maze that carries everything from shampoo and deodorant to shoes, sporting goods, appliances, jewelry and groceries. Looking for those tortillas you love from home? Mustafa has them. Looking for a pair of swim goggles? Mustafa has two racks of them. Looking for fabric to make that perfect outfit, or better yet someone to make it for you? Yeah, that’s right you can do that too at Mustafa.

We bought Ted a couple of new shirts, and yup, some swim goggles. We bought limes and lime juice, we like our gin and sodas with real lime juice if possible. We bought cumin and oregano, cashews and some sweat bands for Ted for when we walk. It was a bit like a visit to Ikea; fascinating, fun and incredibly exhausting. And crowded, did I mention crowded? Full. Of families, students, tourists, moms, dads and grandparents gathering supplies for meals, gear for kids sports, buying fabric for a new sari. When you visit Singapore, definitely visit Mustafa.

Aqueen Hotel, Little India