Celebrating a Decade: Lean on Me: McDonald's new slogan

First published on April 7, 2011 this is the second most popular blog (all according to blogger analytics) in the last ten years.  I still remember where and when I took it.  I had been collecting pictures of McDonald's from around the world, and this one was a definite winner.  All my issues with this fast-food joint aside....

Lean on Me

The above picture was taken in Singapore, July 2010.  I could not resist taking it.  Out of fear, I did not get too close.  Seconds after I took the picture, the man woke up. But up until then, it truly seemed like McDonald's could proudly sing...'Lean on Me' and use this picture as their logo!!

I take pictures of McDonald's around the world. Many of them look the same. However, some others have a bit of 'glocal' in them.  The way Ronald McDonald joins his hands in an Asian greeting at one such joint in Bangkok, or how greetings are always written in the local languages, or how in countries like India, McDonald's does not serve many meat based and no beef or pork based dishes.  Does it make it any more 'cultural though?"  Fast food and street food are not the same. Street food in the countries where you can buy it, is always reflective of a culture, a civilization.  McDonalds reeks of 'adaptation and evolution with a motive'.  Not natural....not desirable---like genetically modified food.  You may disagree!! 

McDondald's is always a jumping joint....in most countries.  Sweden remains an exception.  This picture was taken in Singapore, 2010.  Open 24 hrs. 

Let there be Light

Lantern Festival, China Town Singapore, September 2012

Let there be Light: Lantern Festival, China Town Singapore, September 2012

All the lanterns are made of paper and silk.  A country as small as Singapore packs in celebrations of all the major religions and ethnicities that inhabit the 4 million people country!!  

Celebrations is the best synonym for 'light'!!

Sundry Scenes from Singapore

Singapore was preparing for lantern festival, and China Town was all about lanterns and lights.

There were so many lanterns that I did not think there was place for any more, until I saw a whole truck  with extra lanterns to be added to the ones already existing.  

And it is Asia after all, celebration, tradition, and culture walks along side, brand names, and T-shirts that state 'I am not perfect but limited edition' and ofcourse constant chatter---hopefully with someone miles away!!

No reprrise from technology...I would hate to be inside the minds of these youngsters---or my own for that  matter....

And while we are at it, let's face it, Asia is about color, prayer and celebration.  While these garlands are used for prayer, in temples or at weddings--there mere presence on the street brightens the day.  

Does not matter how many times I have seen these sights, I still stop and 'truly' smell the roses.  The day I think it too mundane to do it, would be the day for me to check out of the planet!!

Just on the Street.  

By the way, all these are just lanterns --mostly made of paper and silk!! Amazing eh? 

A board at Singapore Airport!

Wanna guess this picture was taken? Singapore Airport!! So you never have to leave and spend an entire lifetime there. They have hotels, botanical gardens, a play area for children, baggage storage areas right there. Ofcourse, let me not forget that they run shuttles from airport to town and back so you can get the 'taste' of the city-country so you will 'think' about coming back!! Ah, gives us much to think about ...countries, shopping, tourism, and rules.

But foremost, the fact that all this feeds on our own need to 'travel as consumers. And brag about, 'Yes, I have been there.'