Pearl of the Orient

Singapore circa 1960

The loud steam whistle abruptly woke Anna up from her sleep. Everyone was getting their suitcases as the train pulled into Tanjung Pagar train station in Singapore. Mei held on to Anna’s hand tightly as they made their way into the station. It was a very hot and humid afternoon. Mei had a piece of paper handwritten with her friend’s address in Hougang. When they last wrote to each other Mei had informed her friend, Jen that she would be heading to Singapore. Now that she was actually there, in that noisy train station, feeling lost, she was not so sure of her decision anymore.

Just outside the station was an old man selling freshly made buns; Mei looked at Anna who was practically salivating at the sight and smell of those delicious treats. They had not had anything to eat for the last 18 hours. Mei dug into her purse, producing some coins to buy a hot steamed bun for Anna. Anna knew they hadn’t much money left, hence why her mama had only bought one bun. She divided it and gave her mama half. Tears welled up in Mei’s eyes. They hugged briefly then quickly ate their small meal.

After asking for directions, they walked all the way to Hougang. Singapore was nothing like it is now but even in those days it was a big city, bigger than anything Anna had experienced and it must have taken them around 3 hours, including detours and getting lost. Anna’s eyes opened wide at how busy it was, it was sometimes difficult to walk as bicycles and rickshaws whizzed past mixed in with noisy motor cars. At long last, they found the place; an old wooden house with an attap roof (made of attap palm leaves). They knocked on the old wooden door. A lady in her forties answered. Mei asked for Jen Jie (sister Jen). Jen was not back yet but Anna and Mei were invited into the house. The lady was Yin Jie (sister Yin), she settled them down and offered them water while they waited for Jen.