You go outside. Not into disorder. Not on a crowded bus with someone’s elbow in your side. But into the air that smells like salt and roasted corn from the food stand down the street. That’s Coastal Cabana EC at Jalan Loyang Besar. That’s the Coastal Cabana EC. Pasir Ris Park isn’t “close.” It’s right there. Five minutes. If you’re pursuing a balloon that got away, maybe four. Last week, I observed a little kid waddling into the mangroves in flip-flops that were three sizes too big. Dad followed, barefoot, and held out a juice box as a peace offering. No car. No helmet. There was only pavement, shade trees, and geckos running across warm tiles.
East of downtown? Still able to walk. Want bubble tea at 10 PM because you can’t sleep? Go. Need to kill an hour before playing laser tag with your nephew? Still go. The flooring in the theater are still sticky. The arcade still eats coins like it’s on a diet. But the roti prata is flaky. The coffee is rather strong. And you don’t have to circle Block C like a vulture to get a parking spot. Just go for a walk. You may go to the 24-hour store and get a cold Milo. It happens. A lot. Life doesn’t stop here. It makes a humming sound. Like a refrigerator. Like cicadas at night.
The apartments don’t scream luxury. No taps with gold plating. No phony columns that look like they are Italian. Okay. They have space that fits real people instead. Balconies big enough for two seats, a table that folds up, and your neighbor’s dog, who howls at pigeons like they owe him money. Some units face east, and the sun shines in like molten butter. Some people look over calm alleys. Not as many scooters. More calm. A woman told me that after 28 years, she moved away from Tampines. “I’ve never heard wind in palm leaves before,” she commented as she drank her tea. “Not traffic.” Not drills. “Leaves.” Not a big deal. A big change.
It’s not perfect. When it rains, the corner near Block 3 becomes a small lake. Wind throws chip bags onto balconies like surprise junk mail. Teenagers ride e-scooters like they’re late for a robbery. But really? That’s how life is. Not a fancy brochure with people smiling in matching clothes. Laundry swings here. Barking dogs. People talk over fences. Every Sunday, there is a card game under the shelter. Old men, loud chuckles, and cards slapped down like sentences. It’s not neat. Lived in. Real.
Last Friday, I observed an uncle walking to the beach with a thermos in one hand and a folding stool in the other. Take your time. No plan. Just normal. He wasn’t working out. Or going shopping. I’m just going to sit. Look at the tide coming in. Don’t do anything. That’s the trick. Here, not doing anything isn’t lazy. You can do it. Even encouraged. You don’t have to have a full schedule to love where you live. Just legs. Lungs. A set of slippers. And a location where you don’t have to struggle for little things. Joy is always with you at Coastal Cabana EC. All the way home.