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On a scorching day, my 2nd in the city, I walk down the glitzy, world-famous shopping district of Singapore - Orchard Road and spot a little red umbrella in the distance. Upon walking closer, I notice an old man under it, wearing a straw hat, sitting peacefully and watching the flurry of shoppers walk past. A weathered printed cardboard reveals this is an ice cream cart selling the iconic "Singaporean Ice Cream Sandwich" for a dollar! Now for those wondering what this is - by definition, it is a chunky block of ice cream wrapped in a slice of bread but by emotion, it is a slice of tradition, a reminder of the "Kampong" ie. village life this modern country once lived and most importantly happiness. Another emotion this humble snack evokes is that of surprise, given how cheap it is in an otherwise very expensive country. Singapore - a little red dot on the map. An island nation that was once colonized by the British was a humble fishing village until the 1950s. Today, it boasts of being a country with the best airport in the world, robust infrastructure, dizzying skyscrapers and one of the safest on this planet. The country has transformed in the last few decades and whilst its marched towards modernization, it has carried snippets of its tradition with it. I inch closer to "uncle" - a term I learn that the locals use to refer to any visibly older man; be it the "taxi uncle", the "coffee uncle" or in this case "ice-cream uncle". I glance over the cardboard, at all the flavours available and make the executive decision to go with good old chocolate. I let him know, and like a ninja, he carves out a slice, wraps it in a rainbow coloured slice of bread and hands it to me with a toothless smile. I toss a few coins, pay up and look around for a place to sit and relish my acquisition. It's a busy sidewalk, the benches are all taken and the sun is beating down so I park myself a couple of steps away from the ice cream cart. As I sink my teeth into this strange combination and savour the flavour, I hear "You like it, Miss?" Its uncle who is now fanning himself and looking at me inquisitively. Instinctively, I take a step closer and nod my head in a resounding "yes". He smiles and I smile with my mouth full of icecream. As I continue to devour this treat, he shares "you know I sell ice cream sandwich since I was 9, its been 53 years now". I'm intrigued and prod him to share more and the next ten mins prove to be the most enlightening moments from the trip. He shares how he used to run errands for his father who was a tailor striving to make ends meet. "Uncle", as a child loved icecream and would often have to wait for weeks till his father could afford this treat. Time rolled on, the country went through its political turmoils and he lost his father at a relatively young age. With limited education and almost no monetary backing, he decided to sell this iconic Singaporean snack as it channelled his own love for icecream and brought him happiness. I listen in rapt attention and picturise the concrete sidewalk I'm standing on, to be a muddy road where bullock carts and traders went about their daily life. I imagine this old icecream seller prancing around the open fields as a carefree child, not having an inkling of what the future held. I snap out of those thoughts as "uncle" says "you know, Singapore has changed and we are a big city now but I'm glad that people still eat icecream sandwich... anyway see you again" I smile and walk away. I don't see him again but as my flight takes off from the unbelievable Changi Airport, I look down at the shiny city and whilst I marvel at the sight, an image conjures in my mind: It is that of the red umbrella under which icecream uncle spreads happiness and shares stories with strangers leaving them yearning for more.