Escapees November-December 2023

thoughts for the road

B y the time we got to the hotel, in Singa pore, we were an hour late, but our new friends were still waiting. After dinner, all the hotels have a Christmas Eve party, but we decided to go to the Orchard Street public festivities. The police closed this main street to all except pedestrians. It became like Times Square on New Year’s Eve. People smiled and wished strangers good luck as the crowd moved down the street, stopping at certain places to watch storefront performances by school children. At times, someone would start singing, and everyone would join in. When we fi nally reached the far end of Orchard Street, it was roped off so young people could dance. When we got back to our hotel, we found a stocking on our pillow fi lled with candies, cookies and an orange shipped in from California! Christmas doesn’t have to be lonely if you can’t spend it with family. Sharing it with others, whether friends or strangers, is what makes the holidays special.

AN EXCERPT FROM ESCAPEES MAGAZINE NOV/DEC 2010

Co-founder

November/December 2023 ESCAPEES Magazine 1