I finally got a chance to go to Orchard Road, it has been a madhouse at the office since I needed to cover for someone on leave. So much that I think it has been taking a toll on my body. I have been getting a headache that refused to go away. The doctors told me that I might have too much stress at work. Really? Well, that the understatement of the year. Unfortunately, I have been “forbidden” to go on leave until the one I covering for comes back. That’s three months of continuous stress. These coming holidays are really welcome break for me.
Unfortunately, for me going to Orchard Road isn’t really going to relieve much stress for me. The premier shopping street of Singapore is packed with merry makers and shoppers looking to do some last minute shopping, me included. The reason I’m at Orchard Road is to take photos of their annual Christmas light up. It is always a spectacle to see Orchard Road lit up with Christmas lights and all the trimmings. Unfortunately, this year seems to be a little subdued. Probably because of the financial slowdown already upon us. One last hurrah shouldn’t be too painful.
This year’s theme is “Sweet Christmas”. They feature a family of fictional characters called the Sweets and have all sorts of sweet themed decorations all over the street. Things like gigantic cupcakes and huge Christmas tree shaped ice cream brighten up the streets of Orchard Road. And it works, since people have been coming in droves to see the decorations this year. I have been having trouble getting photos certain spots without someone else in the picture. Really frustrating.
I have been enjoying the decorations so far. Even the inside the malls are decorated and look their best. This year Ngee Ann City has their annual Christmas tree lit up by energy saving bulbs. It still looks marvelous nonetheless. The decorations of Orchard Road extend all the way up to Scotts Road and to the Wheelock Place area. The main bulk of the crowd is at the Ngee Ann City area so it is much easier to get a bus beyond this point. Getting home is another matter since Orchard Road is also packed with cars it takes twice as long to get to the Plaza Singapura area once you cross Scotts Road.
Oh well, this is to be expected and I won’t let it ruin my Christmas. And the revelers do not seem to mind either. So while the merriment and fun is here, I might as well enjoy it.
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