The fish monger
Our trip back to Perth from Italy included a few nights in Singapore and we arrived on Christmas Eve 2004. We always liked to decompress from such a big trip in Singapore as we always are happy to see our relatives. Singapore was transformed into a beautiful modern city but the old charm had disappeared as the city seemed a bit too sterile.
Our bags were lost so they gave us each $ 300 and sent us away. Mimi’ s cousin Alison picked us up and brought us to a discount place called Mustafa ' s in Little India at three O’ clock in the morning where we bought tooth brushes and underwear. This is a truly amazing department store that is open probably 24 hours per day each day of the year and they stock every type of product imaginable from electronics to underwear.
Alison Chong is the matriarch of her
Clockwise: Alison, Brandon, Lisa, Amanda, David, Megan family that includes her husband David, daughters, Megan, Lisa, Amanda and son Brendon. Alison is small but packs a wallop as she has been called the‘ Fish Monger’ so watch out if she yells at you. The oldest daughter Lisa would kindly give up her room with an attached bathroom as she had done in previous visits. We have spent more time with Lisa than any of the other children and she has visited us in Australia. Lisa is now a lawyer and very bright, full of energy, rebellious and likes to party hard that sometimes caused some family grief. I can relate to this position and enjoy listening to her. She had taken Luke when he was underage to a very large nightclub in
Clockwise: Debra, Diys, Glenys, Tun
Singapore and stayed out all night only to have breakfast at around 4:00 am at one of the all night food courts. We tried to get Lisa into the Australian frame of mind to consider moving there but no luck. She likes the fast Singapore scene. Alison just visited us in Australia with her youngest daughter Megan and it was such a delight to spend some time with her and share our photography interests.
The culture difference in Singapore is very noticeable to us when we visit. For example, we are not used to having servants and when we stay at Alison’ s house there are two maids. We feel a bit uncomfortable around them and usually try to help them more than they help us! Probably the most defining moment of this culture difference was when
Clockwise: Alison, Debra, Mimi, ___ Mimi’ s Sister
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