After doing all the more touristy things in San Antonio, which really impressed me, I mean, San Antonio really has done a fantastic job with making this a great place to visit and to live. I wanted to see if there were some non-touristy things to do. I did a bit of research on the Internet in my hotel room, thanks to the free wi-fi offered by the best luxury hotels. San Antonio , I’ve found has this great fresh farmers market called Pearl Farmers Market , located at 200 E. Grayson Street, next door to Pearl Brewery right behind Full Goods. Pearl is only open on Saturdays from 9am to 1 pm regardless of weather.

When Saturday finally rolled around, I made sure I got to Pearls right at 9am. This was such a sweet treat for me, knowing I was doing something the locals do, and not something for the tourists. After a few inquiry’s with some of the vendors, I found out that Pearl was named after its backyard location, the city’s iconic Pearl Brewery . The market is outdoors and has a real inviting atmosphere. I felt like I was transported in time, where all your shopping was done by going into town on every Saturday to buy fresh produce and supplies for the week, then pack it all up in the wagon and head back to the homestead. Well, maybe not that far back, but you get what I mean.

It was great to actually meet and talk with all the farmers, they’re right there waiting for you to buy what they picked fresh that morning, and they’re only too happy to tell you how to cook it or bake it and what other produce would go well with other produce, or they’ll tell you to go a couple of stalls down to pick up some hand-made preserves or seasonings that will enhance their produce. There was all kinds of staples like fruits, vegetables, eggs, artisan cheeses, spices, even humanely raised beef sold frozen on site. There was freshly baked artisan breads and hand-made soaps.

I wish I could’ve bought the fresh produce, it looked so much better than what I’d find in the grocery stores. But, I did end up with some home-made jam, soap, dry rubs, and a beautifully done ceramic colander. I think from now on, where ever I travel, I’ll check out the local farmers market first, because they really have a way of making you feel right at home.

With a broad range of cultural influences finding places of intersection in Singapore, it’s one of the most exciting places in the world to visit these days.  It’s a very unique place, a city state with a long history as a major world port, and it always seems to be just a little bit ahead of the rest of the world.  It’s a spectacular place to see new fashions, new art, and the latest trends in design and technology, and it’s also a splendid place to escape from the repetitions of everyday life.  Guests here are constantly surprised at how much there is to see and do here, and there’s certainly something for everyone.

In culinary terms, it’s one of the most delicious places on earth, with the wide variety of foods available due to the rich combination of Malay, Indian, and Chinese cultures.  There are also some fantastic Italian restaurants in the city, owing to the ready and constant supply of fresh seafood and other ingredients to make for a perfect meal.  There are other Italian influences here, too, as evidenced by the wonderful and intriguing projects sponsored by the Italian Cultural Institute in Singapore.  In 2008, they sponsored a magnificent public art project, Power Station.

This was initiated by the very prolific Stefano Cagol, an artist based in Trento, and currently doing a residency in New York City.  As part of the Singapore Biennale, Power Station was a multi-layered project that took place all over the city.  A van would park, playing national anthems of different nations, with the intention of investigating the phenomenon of power in the world today.  Spectators were invited to interact, and to reflect on their own notions of power, while considering the many levels of power that translate in the realm of nationhood.  The artist asked fascinating questions about some of the most pressing issues of the day, and continues to ask important questions as his work continues to move forward.