Southerners in Singapore: Hawker Center and the Snail!

So one of the great things about our condo is the fact that we live right around the corner from a Hawker Center. In Singapore in the late 1990's the government decided to clean up the streets and move all of the beloved street vendors into consolidated spaces where they could be overseen (ie, 'managed') and a certain level of cleanliness and order was established. The result were Hawker Centers - a place where you can try Chinese, Indian, Malay and exotic Southeast Asia foods all in one place. It's outside, napkins are not usually provided and you have to be brave enough to try new things and converse with the locals there.

You probably are not surprised to know that Drayton is now know by name in our local Hawker Center and Henry is immediately recognized as well. I didn't go with them the first time but did visit last night and laughed as Drayton was greeted with slaps on the back and a big Tiger beer for all of us. Michael and his wife Linda (the owners of one of the hawker stalls) kept the beer flowing while we tried satays, calamari, grilled chicken wings, fried rices, Kailan (a local Singapore vegetable delicacy) and lots of Tiger beers. Luckily we had my brother Ward, his wife Alexa and their two kids with us to sample all of this food. It was a fun evening and the temperature was very nice although always humid (and a shower is required afterwards since you just smell like the Hawker Center until your next shower!).

Attached are a few pics from Drayton's first visit to our local Hawker Center. They enjoyed their food and then on the walk home managed to find the largest snail I have ever seen. Of course, the kids had to pretend to eat the thing to each other's amusement. Lots of fun to have this local treat right around our corner!