Same Same But Different

Blk 78 Yong Siak Street

Blk 78 Moh Guan Terrace

Blk 78 Guan Chuan Street

Block 78 in the Tiong Bahru Estate is the only building in the Tiong Bahru Estate with 3 different street names.

It is also the longest and tallest building amongst the conserved flats in the Tiong Bahru Estate.

In past, people refer to this estate as the "GOR LAU CHU" (Hokkien for 5 storey house).

In fact, after these buildings were completed, people often pop by this area to gawk at the "tall" buildings as it was the only place in Singapore where they could see flats! (Remember, this was in the 1930s).

Okay, back to my story on block 78. Being Singaporeans, most of us would assume that all blocks in Singapore has only one block number and one street name...which is always the case.

But the rules are different here at Tiong Bahru! How often I have to walk back and forth to look for some lost "sheep" who insisted that they are waiting at the right block for me.

Yeah! The block number is right but the spot is wrong. Many generations before us had been confused. And many generations after us will continue to be confused.

If you have nothing to do, just walk around Block 78. Chances are, you will meet some brand new pizza hut delivery boys making their rounds.....looking hopelessly lost. And during the Chinese New Year period, the hamper uncles will be walking around looking quite frustrated as they struggle to find the right address.

I wonder if Santa would be confused too........