Stories behind Singapore Street Names - Exhibition

Every Singaporean should visit this informative exhibition on the origins of our street names. There is an activity book for children and an excellent booklet that is free of charge and that will be a valuable addition to any home library. My visit to the National Museum was unplanned and this exhibition was a discovery that made my day.It is on levels 7 and 8 and is on daily (except public hholidays) from 10am to 9pm. You have until 29 june 2012 to catch this exhibition.

St Joseph's Church from the fifth floor of the National Library Building.

Maxwell Road was the area I always associate with driving tests and food.

You can watch a short video about how these unusual street names came about.

I took this photo because of the painting of the old houses in Chinatown.

Singapore Youth Festival 2011 - A great performance by students

I happened to be in the library at the right time on Saturday in the later part of the morning. I discovered that at 5.30pm there was going to be a performance by students in celebration of Youth Festival and returned at that time to watch it. See the slideshow here>>>

Book Exchange at the National Library, Singapore

Today I chanced upon the Book Exchange event at the foyer of the National Library and found out that the Book Exchange takes place once a year. Two weeks before the event, you could bring along as many books as you want to the National Library and in exchange you will be given a coupon stating the number of books given. On the day of the Book Exchange, you will be able to pick the books you like up to the number you have been issued on the coupon. I think this is really a very good idea as I noticed that most books were pretty new and when you give up your books you are assured that they will go to people who love to read. 

I was curious about this huge crowd and the long queue.

I got distracted by this sculpture of coolies having a meal with a girl reading a book.

I had intended to go to the reference section of the library but then how often do I get to go to one side and watch the world go by?

So I got myself a coffee at a cafe and sat there for an hour and a half to just watch the people in the crowd. Initially there was a tall, macho security personnel towering above the crowd. A DJ was playing music and a man was reading a newspaper behind him. A young man and woman who were National Library staff were there to make announcements and slowly more and more people were sitting around with the books they had scooped and going through them to see if they really wanted them.

Despite the large number of people, the atmosphere was pleasant and I guess it was because this was a gathering of book lovers, not shoppers.

The young, the old, the children and their parents...

...the couples...

...the stylish...

 

...the fashionable...

 

...the individualists...

 

...they all came and they picked and chose...

...sat around to read and talk.

Everyone went away with loads of books they liked.

Some helpers were really school children with that eager beaver look on their faces.

Books chosen by a teenage girl.

Wait here and I will drive the car round.

I had no book to exchange this time. Next year, I will look out for this Book Exchange event and not miss it!

National Library, Singapore

For a few hours I was sitting at a window with a stupendous view. Shielded from the city traffic and the glaring sunlight and being in a comfortably cool and comfortable environment, it was close to heaven to just sit there and write a long email to a friend while waiting for the next important appointment. I could have stayed there indulging in what I normally do on a notebook. My newly acquired netbook plus the effortless connection to wireless network at the library had indeed made being in the library a truly pleasurable experience.

National Library, 8th Floor.

National Library Building

From the garden retreat on the 10th floor of the National Library building, I got a breather from the shopping crowds and shade from the sweltering heat.