【轉個彎旅行】那些過程教會我的事

人為何要旅行？
為夢想，為休息，為尋找，為追求？
亦或為了內心的渴望。
這個問題，你是否曾仔細想過。
每個人也許都有不同的理由，但不變的
都是為了尋找真正的自己，
為了體驗不同文化，為了做城市的主人。
如今，你都能在Citiport得到這份感動...
Citiport給你空間，紀錄自己的軌跡
Citiport給你機會，直接和當地人互動
Citiport給你工具，讓你製作個人旅遊書
Citiport讓異鄉的你，感受到像家一樣的親切感
現在，換你來體會。
喜地泊 旅遊+家+生活
http://www.citiport.net

前些時候，在網路上看到一篇很有意義的日文文章，名字叫做「名字の言」主要是介紹豆腐的故事，其中有幾句話很有意思，特別學了下來，並且寫在這裡跟大家分享。
1.骨を埋める覚悟で

歷史是時代的巨輪，是推動人類向前走的力量。
現在就請各位跟著我拍的圖片，回顧一趟新加坡歷史之旅。
遠古時代留下的石頭
遠古時代留下的陶器
當時的國王

新加坡摩天輪無疑是熱門景點之一，它是現在世界上最大的摩天輪，從最高點可以鳥瞰新加坡、馬來西亞和印尼，整個港口腹地也能看得一清二楚。
我們進去摩天輪的時間是晚上七點，在三十五分鐘的旅程中，我們從地面上到最高點，從白天到黑夜，正好見證了整座城市日夜變化的交接處，以下介紹幾張拍得不錯的照片。
船隻停泊在新加坡港外
新加坡摩天大樓，天即將暗了
繁忙的尖峰時刻
夕陽和大樓
摩天輪
新加坡摩天輪剛好位於F1賽車的正上方，從上面鳥瞰，整個跑道一覽無遺，尤其夜晚亮燈後，更加覺得氣勢十足。
最後在補上一張摩天輪的整體照，讓讀者欣賞夜晚的美景。
它的顏色會不定時改變，更加顯得光彩奪目。
我介紹這個景點，主要是想介紹新加坡之「大」，在一個這麼小的土地上，當地政府建造出許多世界之最，摩天輪、夜間動物園、鳥園等等都是很有名的例子。我很佩服他們的恆心及毅力還有政府的遠見，讓一個沒有太多資源的地方，變成世界上最重要的城市之一。
前些日子我發現新加坡被選為亞洲最適合居住的城市，我在這裡也身有同感，除了地小以外，該有的生活機能都有，環境綠化很好，空氣也很乾淨，交通便捷，物價大概也和台北差不多。雖然生活上偶爾會覺得枯燥乏味，但對於前來工作或者讀書的人來說，還有很多比旅遊更重要的事，既然如此，那就很容易適應這個環境了。
我也很喜歡這裡的環境，如果有多一些台灣美食那就更好囉！

這是我第二次入圍華人部落格大獎。
每當我看到過去寫的文章時，心中都有無限懷念，因為那就是一段成長的過程。2005年，在時代的潮流下，我建立了這個網站，一開始只想要分享自己的旅行經驗及採訪文章，後來越寫越多，各式各樣的題材也慢慢在部落格上出現。
我喜歡寫文章，只是因為我想要紀錄生命，並且分享別人的經驗。每個人都是這世上獨一無二的個體，每個人的故事都是與眾不同的，因此我從我的眼中，觀察到週遭的事物，再用我的文筆寫下這些文章，自己不僅學到了寶貴的一課，也將這些資料永遠的保存下來，供社會大眾參考。
這次是我第二次參加這項活動，很幸運地再次入圍年度最佳訊息觀點部落格，這項榮耀代表評審團對我的肯定，給予我高度支持，在此我要特別謝謝他們。同時我也要感謝多年來與這個網站一起成長的讀者們，謝謝你們不吝參與，並且留下寶貴的意見，希望這些文章對於你或你的朋友有更大的助益。
我會繼續創作，繼續用眼睛觀察世界，用文筆記錄生命，希望你們也是。
或許每個人都有一種命運，但那絕對是上天賜與你最棒的禮物
感恩惜福，期待當掌聲響起的時刻，我們都是人生舞台上最好的舞者

在新加坡，另外一個知名的景點是聖淘沙，絡繹不絕的遊客將聖淘沙點綴成不夜島，如詩如畫的風景也讓每位遊客留下了難忘的印象。我推薦這個地方，並非人云亦云，而是這裡展現了完整的遊園設施及南島風情，清楚的指示，就算不是本地人也能夠盡情遊玩。
我到聖淘沙島已經接近傍晚，搭上接駁列車後便直奔海灘看夕陽，這是新加坡人必推的旅程。很多遊客也在海邊嬉戲，三五好友玩水閒聊，天真活潑的小朋友隨著海浪起伏，大聲尖叫，一不小心弄濕了衣服，還會潑水到其他同伴的身上，完全忘記衣服已經濕透。
拿起相機，我試著捕捉這一刻，捕捉夕陽西下，也捕捉純真的一面。
這裡的沙很細，踩起來非常舒服，也是我另外一個喜歡這裡的原因。那種感覺就像小時候在海邊嬉戲，總是希望堆沙堡，甚至埋起一個人來，當全身覆蓋後，再拍照留念，想當年年輕氣盛時，大夥還會註明重要部位，弄得全堂哈哈大笑。
這樣的日子，真是令人懷念。
我去土耳其時，也曾在地中海旁的沙灘上邂逅，跳進海裡，徜徉於大海中。愛琴海也是，那藍色的大海，和無邊的天際，連成一線，而船只是桌布中的一個配角。聖淘沙也是，它很美，美在讓人忘了時間，讓人忘了生活的煩憂。
於是，海讓我想起了過去，也讓我想起了故鄉。
我在地上寫下我的名字，還有到此一遊的紀念。
這裡另外一個著名的景點是巨型魚尾獅，高度約有三層樓高，是新加坡的吉祥物。據說十四世紀時蘇門答臘一位王子來這裡打獵，聲稱看到了一個像魚又像獅子的動物，後人再根據想像力「製造」出這種動物，從此新加坡就變成了「獅城」。
晚上的時候這座高聳的雕像會發光，就像照耀這座小島的守護神一樣。
這座小島上有很多夜晚娛樂，其中當地人最推薦的是「The Song of the Sea」，這是一個大型雷射表演，結合水、火、光、聲音等特效，敘述了一個美麗的海邊故事。我很喜歡這個表演，只是當天晚上表演開始前天氣驟變，風雨交加，比颱風還可怕，但為了欣賞這齣戲，硬著頭皮就坐在看台區，真是十足的標準「雨」劇，他們還沒灑水，全身就已經濕透了。
當下我們拿著雨傘，但早已不管用，身體也全濕了，但為了看完全場，也沒有管太多，就在最後快結束的時候，我索性豁出去了，拍下最經典的一張照片，這張照片就變成當天晚上最珍貴的一張照片。
結束了表演，也結束了聖淘沙旅程，那場大雨真是令人難忘，但是表演更是精彩，在此也向當晚一同欣賞的朋友說一聲「好逼真啊！」

Most of Singaporean took a positive attitude toward the cash prize
                                                   By Meng-lin Wu
Singapore table tennis team won the first silver medal at the Olympics and rewarded a handsome cash prize - $750,000. Although the money is more than what US swim star Michael Phelps will get for his eight gold medals, citizens in Singapore still thought the reward is worthy and deserved.
“I personally think government has to encourage athletes with a reward and money is the clear way,” a student, Ms. Ong Xin Min, said.
Many teenagers expressed the same idea as Ms. Ong. During the education period, good grades for students are more important in contrast to high-skilled sports. Thus, many talented people have no incentive to keep developing their athletic potential.
“That is the reality and also a problem we have to face, if Singapore want to cultivate our original athletes,” another interviewee, Mr. Sean Seah said.
Mr. Seah is a company owner. His comments were more business-oriented. To develop sport industry, government should make an entire plan, for example, providing a complete training process, igniting people’s passion on sports, and improving related facilities. Also, he thought that rewarding the winners is a good investment, because it can push forward this industry.
However, elderly people are worried that sporting culture may change. “If I have both money and reputation, I would become proud,” said a restaurant owner, Mr. Steve Lin. He thought it is good to encourage sportsmen but the huge reward is very controversial. In addition, if the sportsmen are not original Singaporean, some people may feel upset.
“I will feel a little frustrated if they are from other countries, but we should accept them,” said another citizen, Mr. Alvin Yap. Singapore is a multi-culture and immigrant country. Many people came here for different purposes. He believed that if the original intension is positive, Singapore should welcome them.
Another student, Ms. Tan Chahyiin, also said: “Singaporean become more confident and proud of our sports. We have to appreciate them.”

This is the first football game I experienced. I uploaded some parts on YouTube. You can see the football culture in Singapore.
The first video describes how cheerleader team encourage viewers and players. I am very impressed one energetic man.

Credits to Nicholas Ong, a very nice alumnus who put in the effort to make a good translation!
Singapore Diary~ AIESEC and I
My relationship with Singapore has to be traced back to my beginnings with AIESEC. My first encounter happened in APXLDS (Korea) back in 2003 where I made a few friends from Singapore. My second encounter is during APXLDS (Taiwan) in 2004. The chief delegate from then brought some postcards from my friends in Singapore. And I had also enjoyed myself at their GV booth. The 3rd encounter was when I stopped by for transit back in 2005. I stayed with a Singaporean friend as well as experienced tasted some local food. My 4th encounter was during a brief transit on my way to Turkey for internship in 2006.
My 5th, which is now, is a stay of 4 months in Singapore.
For the past few years, my visits overseas are either related to AIESEC events or visiting AIESEC friends. This is the first time I went overseas due to non-AIESEC reasons, yet, I am still within the influence of AIESEC.
When I started planning for my student exchange 6 months ago, I obtained the contact details of the local AIESECers from my friends for enquiries on accommodation, food and lifestyle information. Alvin, who was then LCP in NTU, kindly helped me and provided a lot of support. More importantly, he is a good friend to many Taiwan AIESECers and had been to Taiwan for a few times, hence chatting with him seemed akin to chatting with a close family member.
The 2nd AIESECer that I encountered is WenFeng. He is from Canto – China, studying in Singapore for quite a while and is also an experienced AIESECer. The first day I arrived in Singapore, he was carrying mattress and blanket, welcoming us from the hostel. This left me a impression that he is welcoming an old friend. For the next 20 mins walk to the hostel, we pulled along the luggage and chatted along the way, with the conversation resolving quite a bit, around Singapore issues.
The 3rd AIESECer that I met is WanXin, a Malaysian and the current LCP in NTU. WanXin is one who is filled with dreams and ambition towards AIESEC. And seemed to be always on a “high” state although I don’t know whether that should be a compliment…. But that definitely has powerful effects on people around her. Her mood affects people around her as well as letting others feel a sense of joy. I think she will be my first reader in Singapore as I brought a book as a gift for the LC of NTU.
I have met a lot of other people too along the way, e.g. LiJun, Ivan, Weiwei, Trang, Vincent, Aravinda,… etc. They are the first group of friends I made in Singapore.
In the second week of school reopening, I went to the NTU CCA fair. NTU has got a lot of clubs and society, comparable to National Taiwan University. Point to note is that there is a lot of cultural clubs such as Lion Dance club, Muslim Society, dragon boat club… or societies that serves different nationalities such as Korean Society, Malaysian club, etc, showing Singapore’s global diversity.
AIESEC is also among the many booths on display, attracting a lot of attraction and queries. I stood up as a spokesman of international AIESECers, letting the freshmen to understand the AIESEC and its connection with the world. 3 days of promotions, total of at least 300 interested students, yet leaving only 50 AIESEC newies after member interviews – the intense competition between applicants is easily seen.
A lot of freshmen asked – “What’s AIESEC?” I had lost count of how many times I was posed that question, yet each time, my answer is not entirely the same. Basically, AIESEC is tightly linked to the social environment. When I was in Taiwan, I would usually reply “AIESEC is a place where one could expand his horizon and know the world” Yet, in Singapore, my answer would be “It is a place where one could discover himself and go up against challenges” To AIESECers, these two different answers means the same, yet to freshmen, they are entirely different. Hence to understand AIESEC, one must experience AIESEC.
As such, I would encourage everyone to join AIESEC.
the Welcome Tea session, the MCP for the past 2 terms - Sharon - gave a speech. I was especially intrigued by her speech, not only because it had successfully promoted AIESEC to the freshmen, but it had influence everyone that is present in the LT. What a display of innate charisma and motivating speech. Sharon is the MCP for 06/07 and 07/08, graduated from NTU and is preparing to go for an AIESEC exchange. Her 4 years in AIESEC brought her to over ten countries, knowing people from all over the world, even from countries one would not have known existed.
Each photo Sharon shown is a trail of growth, each interaction, each gain in knowledge – and she summarized “I joined AIESEC to change myself. And it has led me to be different. It has led me to embrace the world with an open mind and an open heart” In a globalized city such as Singapore, her words seemed even more convincing - because she’s a Singaporean.
Her story also reminded me the friends I made in my first International Conference. Coming from different places and culture, yet we are brought together, perhaps by the power of fate. And five years later, if we could still meet up, chat like old friends. It must be the bond of friendship.
JiaLiang is the last person I would like to introduce, because she the first Singaporean AIESECer I knew and whom I have kept in touch. She is of my age and we both joined AIESEC in the same period, knowing each other in 2003 during APXLDS in Korea. Because both of us speak Chinese, that foster a bond of familiarity. After conference, we occasionally contact each other but haven’t had a chance to meet up till now.
The week before, we arranged to meet at China Town, friends apart for years, but we could recognize each other in an instance. A difference in our looks, feelings unchanged, and the moment we met seemed to continue where we have left off 5 years ago. Touring the place, we chatted about what had happened in these 5 years as well as memories in Korea. Soon, the afternoon is gone is a flash - like the ancient said “To have friends from afar is happiness, is it not?” This saying aptly describes the mood of the situation
In one’s life-time, how many such opportunities can one have and how will fate decides. Whatever the chances, we should cherish that short moment in time, because no one will know when that moment will return. It is as such in AIESEC, likewise being an exchange student. I think that as the exchange students from NTU depart, they too will have that same feeling.
Who knows?