Friday 27 January 2012
Friday 13 January 2012
Stranger
A world in which strangers have become friends and friends have become strangers. On Facebook.
Today, I met a stranger the old-fashioned way. On a train. A quiet, gently confident, tudung-clad Indonesian lady. Fidri was her name, was it?
Her story. A group of six on a 3-day holiday to Singapore. She decides to break away for the Friday night to do some exploring. Her mission: To secure cheap bicycle parts for her MTB, from a shop in Tampines. My role: To explain to her how to get to Tampines by MRT from Dhoby Ghaut. Is Tampines safe? (Yes). When is the last train? (Just after 11). How much would my fare be? ($3 max). How much would a cab ride cost? ($30 max). What time do shops close? (8-10 pm, depends).
What is your name? (Ashwin). My name is Fidri (?) I had to tell her, I have recently started cycling too. In fact, if all goes well, I will cycle 40 km tomorrow morning. Wow! MTB? (No, street bike). We should talk more.
We arrive at Paya Lebar. Time for her to change trains. She steps out. Has an afterthought. Rushes back in, and wrests back her seat next to me. Tell me, is Tampines the best place to find cheap bicycle parts? (I am sorry, I have no idea. All things bicycle that I own, were procured for me by my brother).
Ah ok, Indonesia has many beautiful cycling routes. I recently picked up cycling. I am now hooked. Are you on Facebook?
Next stop. She is off the train.
I quietly resolve to myself. I will fix up the bicycle as soon as I get home, and go for the Saturday morning ride.
Alas, all does not go well. My lights are busted.
I meet a stranger. I am now no stranger to a certain prejudice that I have always carried. It is time to be rid of it.
Today, I met a stranger the old-fashioned way. On a train. A quiet, gently confident, tudung-clad Indonesian lady. Fidri was her name, was it?
Her story. A group of six on a 3-day holiday to Singapore. She decides to break away for the Friday night to do some exploring. Her mission: To secure cheap bicycle parts for her MTB, from a shop in Tampines. My role: To explain to her how to get to Tampines by MRT from Dhoby Ghaut. Is Tampines safe? (Yes). When is the last train? (Just after 11). How much would my fare be? ($3 max). How much would a cab ride cost? ($30 max). What time do shops close? (8-10 pm, depends).
What is your name? (Ashwin). My name is Fidri (?) I had to tell her, I have recently started cycling too. In fact, if all goes well, I will cycle 40 km tomorrow morning. Wow! MTB? (No, street bike). We should talk more.
We arrive at Paya Lebar. Time for her to change trains. She steps out. Has an afterthought. Rushes back in, and wrests back her seat next to me. Tell me, is Tampines the best place to find cheap bicycle parts? (I am sorry, I have no idea. All things bicycle that I own, were procured for me by my brother).
Ah ok, Indonesia has many beautiful cycling routes. I recently picked up cycling. I am now hooked. Are you on Facebook?
Next stop. She is off the train.
I quietly resolve to myself. I will fix up the bicycle as soon as I get home, and go for the Saturday morning ride.
Alas, all does not go well. My lights are busted.
I meet a stranger. I am now no stranger to a certain prejudice that I have always carried. It is time to be rid of it.
Destiny
I believe in destiny. Only in retrospect.
This leaves meaning in both the past and the future.
This leaves meaning in both the past and the future.
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