When I Die

This morning I had just returned home from my favorite store, Mustafa (I will blog about this later with pictures. It's amazing!), and was putting together my new vacuum cleaner when I heard a loud banging noise. I assumed it was the construction going on next door and went about my business. Then, the banging got louder and louder and louder until I realized that the banging was drums and symbols. I opened the window and there was a whole band in bright red costumes playing music while walking down my street!

I thought to myself, what day is today? Is it a holiday that I don't know about? Where is my camera??? After the band came this beautifully decorated truck. I sat happily by my window and watched the parade until I saw the hearse. Amazing. This was a funeral. The hearst was a big car with clear glass in the back so you could see the coffin. The coffin was beautifully decorated from top to bottom with flowers.

After the hearse came a long line of mourners all dressed in white. White is the color of death in the Chinese culture. They were walking silently behind. I had never seen anything like this before.

You know the saying "When I die, I want them to throw a parade in my honor." Well, here in Singpore they do. It was celeratory and sullen all at the same time. What a good way to go. And now I know, next time I hear the band outside not to run for the camera.