Upon alighting from the train station and entering Little India, I just had to visit the most famous place there.
Mustafa Centre, which can be found in Little India, a part of Bangladesh.This place is amazing because it seriously sells almost everything you can imagine, and in the most crazy variety. You haven't seen how much they can pack into this unassuming building. And I don't mean Banglas.
Unfortunately I couldn't take pictures inside because they had half a million security cameras, and lots of staff watching my every move. Every time I tried to line up my camera to take something inside somebody would start walking towards me, so I stopped trying. There certainly weren't many Banglas in there though. I think they were all on construction sites when I went there.
One thing you quickly learn about Little India is, when you are there, you do as the Indians do. In India, the pedestrian is king. You don't need traffic lights. So when you are in Little India, you are expected to jaywalk. Here's some prime evidence.
Traffic lights? Who needs traffic lights. Look at them go.Almost every shop in Little India falls into 4 categories. It either sells gold jewellery, sundries, textiles, or it is a restaurant. Basically Little India is a row of shophouses selling these 4 things, so every 4 stores you'll run into a jewellery store, and the delicious smell of curry never ends because the curry radius of the restaurants more or less intersect. I'm using stupid mathematical terms but you know what I mean. Now and then you get the odd store that sells something different, but otherwise its just these four things.
You might almost be mistaken into thinking that Indians only need these 4 things, until you realise that for everything else, there is Mustafa, so perhaps they are better off just doing their thing.
Some other interesting things I saw in Little India.
Look at all those boots. Bangla working armour in assorted colours.
Well, duh. I couldn't help laughing when I first saw this though. I think it's the spelling. Makes it look kind of ridiculous somehow. Sounds like something along the lines of Doodoo.
That's one saxy Santa. Now who's been naughty this Christmas? Ho ho ho.
I don't suppose they sell military garments. What a name though.
Even the Coke machine has gone Indian. A good example of savvy marketing.Ok now for my favourite part. Time to rate the places.
Appeal - Little India scores average here. It really isn't anything spectacular visually, and there is nothing much here for the tourist either. 5/10
Staff friendliness - The staff were actually very friendly. Almost overfriendly, like the moment they see you step into the shop they move towards you, even if its obvious you're not going to buy anything. I think its the competition. I didn't ask anything much because they didn't look like they'd be much fun. 7/10
Cost - Don't worry about this. If a bangla can afford it, so can you. Almost every sundry shop here has a banner that says "Cheapest prices in Singapore!" Only problem is you may not be able to find anything you want to buy. 8/10
Overall interesting-ness - About a 20/30. Unless you're a tourist, you probably shouldn't bother with this place much.