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The Parallel Universe
A few days ago, I returned from my journey to a parallel universe- the universe of international negotiations. I will not talk about substance here. You can read all about that in the news. I'll tell you about what life is like in this parallel universe.
Several times a year, people from all countries in the world gather there. We leave our homes and family and set up this alternate reality. For some, it is a chore, part of the pain of their job, and they grasp desperately at the threads that link them to life back home. For others, it is an escape from the pressures, obligations and other social straight jackets they are bound to back home. And there are those for which this is the highlight of their year.
In this world, everyone is consumed by one topic only. Which makes it easy to forget everything else that is happening outside. Everyone is conversant in the same language, which makes it easy to socialize. Everyone is taken out of their comfort zones, which removes the usual inhibitions. We all greet each other with hugs and kisses when we meet, whether it is in our regular culture to do so or not. Our delegations become our family, and those with similar interests become our neighbors. For 2 weeks, this becomes our village, our reality.
In this universe, the resilience of a human body is shown. Starting work at 8am and ending at 10pm is considered humane, while all-nighters are considered normal. We work despite the physical environment- we have been baked, frozen, steamed, starved and suffocated, but we plod on. Weekends are fairy tales, and public holidays only exist in our imagination.
There are the usually characters you see in every story book or movie- the villains who block all rays of hope, the extras milling about in the background, the supporting characters who breathe life, comedy and drama into the scenes, some bumbling fools, and a host of people jostling for the role of the hero.
At each gathering in this parallel universe, the plot is generally the same- each character says their pre-scripted lines, tensions builds, long agonising waits, and then suddenly, the clouds part, and an agreement is reached, and we all go home feeling a little pain and a little pleasure, patting ourselves on the back, for a job well done. Till the next time the intergalactic portal opens again to take us back to this parallel universe, where we do all that is necessary to protect all that we have in the real world.
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The Inca Adventure
It had been a most amazing week. Scaling a mountain, seeing many ruins, hearing stories of the past, getting acquainted with llamas and alpacas, meeting really cool people, and just taking in the wonder of creation. But standing in the majestic Machu Picchu was definitely the highlight and a dream come true.
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It had also been a week of roughing it out as I stayed in small inns, hostels, and lodges. I had to live out of my duffle bag, with less than 5kg of stuff. It is amazing how little one can live with (although my skin is really paying for it now as I had classified my moisturiser as a non-essential).
Today I woke up among 7 plush pillows, swaddled in luscious white bed linen. I had been reunited with the rest of my 20+kg of stuff. My clothes filled the hotel wardrobe, my comfort food was in my mini pantry, and my bathroom stocked with all my familiar products.
While my Inca adventure had been beyond incredible, it still feels good to be back in the embrace of 5 star comforts.
The Longest Day
3 planes, 3 continents and more than 30 hours later, we finally arrived at our hotel in Lima, Peru around 2340hrs on 22 Nov 2014.
So begins my Peruvian adventure.
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The Picture of Romance
The aunty shuffles along with the aid of a walking stick, seemingly in her own world. The uncle, ever beside her, holding her hand tightly, attentively guiding her along. He beams with each step that they take together. He makes being able to walk next to his wife appear to be like the greatest privilege in the world. As they amble along, I can almost imagine them on their wedding day- for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live on earth.
This is the picture of romance.
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Acts Of Kindness On A Rainy Day
An old lady was crossing the road in the rain without an umbrella and a domestic helper offered to shelter her across. Upon reaching the other side, they headed in different directions. But I saw another domestic helper immediately speed up and walked beside the old lady to shelter her. The old lady did not even notice this action. Not a word was spoken between the two and she continued on her way once the old lady reached the covered walk-way safe and dry. Kindness to strangers still exisits. On this cold, wet morning, my heart was warmed.
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Getting Over Myself
My friend and I were having dinner at a hawker centre the other day. I had ordered a chicken cutlet from the western stall and it came with a mountain of fries. I barely managed to finish half of it.
As we walked off, I noticed that an old man quickly took our place at our table. Hunched over, he started chomping on the leftover fries that had since turned cold. Our hearts ached.
"Shouldn't we buy him a proper meal?" I asked. But as usual, I was at a loss and half a dozen doubts rushed to mind- How would we approach him? Would the old man accept the offer? Was he of sound mind? Would our offer offend him? What should we buy for him? What do we say to him?
My friend was clearly more decisive. Let's get him chicken rice. She marched over to the stall, and promptly ordered a packet of chicken rice. We then walked over to the man and put the packet of rice on the table and said, "Uncle, qing ni chi fan. Ji fan. Chi bao yi dian." (Rough translation: Uncle, here's chicken rice for you. Have a good meal.) He looked up and smiled at us with an open mouth full of fries.
It took 3 minutes and $3 to put a smile on an old man's face.
This was in a hawker centre a short walk away from my largely gentrified neighbourhood. But people like the old man lived a life a world away from our lives of privillege and comfort. I don't know his story, why he lives that way. A packet of chicken rice will not change his life. But I do know that if each of us does something when we see a need, we can make a world a little less harsh.
I learned a precious lesson on giving that day: The hardest part is getting over myself and choosing not to walk away.
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