I went over to the switch to turn them on but the colours of the lights were diff. They suddenly were old school tungstent light bulbs. So i resolve to leaving the way it is - dim. Anna came over, lectured me about the proper procedures on how to turn on the lights properly and managed to return them to our normal lighting. In the meantime, I was still labelling the batik pieces and Jayet was in a good mood. Anna came over our table to chat (while what we thought, waiting for her husband). You wouldve thought i had lots to label but i only had 3. After i finished, i excused myself to go for my break.
I walk out and it definitely isnt Cluny Court's usual surroundings of Botanic Gardens MRT, the French Embassy and all that. I walked and walked and walked and somehow i ended up in a quiet unkept corner of what i knew to be Botanic Gardens. A magnificent fence of iron and equally magnificent sculptures of greek or roman guardly figures carved into the stone of the fence, practically brooding over it's onlookers. Its gates were wide open, with creepers and brambles clinging on. It felt old and yet it didn feel abandoned. It felt like they left it there on purpose. The wall fence stood tall and old. This was the part muslim part of the outside of Botanic Gardens. Through the gates was an equally magnificent mosque. Very istana-esque. It was huuugee with an even bigger front lawn. What. A. Sight. I turn over to the right side and a little further up, across a plain of rough but kept grass and a few big ancient trees were 2 more mosques. Not as magnificent as this one on my left but still a reverent sight to see.
I continued my walk to find the perfect place to picnic. It cleared up more to become more civilised. Grass were freshly cut. More cement paths. Wooden park tables were placed sparsely along the cement path. There were street lamps placed periodically along the path. Big shady trees were planted precisely to let in enough sun light and shade the park enough. It was a glorious day.
I saw Anna sitting on one of the tables, doing who knows what. I guess she was eating. But i was paying much attention. Normally, to one side of a park in Singapore would be park with bicycle & walk tracks, tables and gazebos and bbq areas. And the other side would be sea side. Here, as i turned my head away from Anna , the scenery stopped abruptly and dropped 40m down. This park was built on a strong sturdy stone bridge over a wide river. Not the Singapore River mind you. It connected the park to i dunno where (im guessing and gonna say the City) as i focused my eyes on whats down below. Not far from the bridge was a tiny island. There on that island stood one single solitary building. Not just any tiny insignificant building. It was yet another mosque. The whole mosque took up the entire space of the island an left only 5m of grass around it.
I needed to go there. I just knew. I must have my break there. With my bottle clenched in my mouth, and bags and bolster (?? Dont ask) hanging from my arms, i climbed down gingerly the stone pillars and into the waters. I apparently was skilled enough to swim with my hand in the air carrying my stuff out of the water's way. It wasnt a far swim. Maybe 5m? I was instantly dry when i reached the building. It wasnt a mosque. It was an ancient run down greek temple with large pillars and large slabs of stone and large open spaces. Tourists and gypsies seem to overrun the place. To many people!! On went my quest to find the perfect place for my break. But i was lost. I didnt know how or want to climb back up. Time was running out but i wasnt aware or keeping track of it.
Deep in the vacinity of the temple island was a way out. 2 actually. I just couldnt think clear enough as it dawned on me how late it already was. Mind you, the shop closes at 7pm and in this dream, time remains relevently constant. There were lobbys to hotels, bars, and other touristy stuff in the deep vacinity. After a good 15mins of wandering, i finally decided to take the Chinatown route cos thats a place im more familiar with anyways. I walk and walk and wander about with my head held high (literally. Cos im looking at buildings). I am at the heart of Chinatown and find myself in the midst of construction. There were lots of dust, lots of newly renovated but still vaant shops in the five foot house shops, the buildings were freshly painted white, it was hot and sunny (i said time was constant. Not the weather) all along the floors were many blue contruction mats covering cement sand. I walked upon many of these until i come to the main road and they had the blue mats on wet cement and pedestrians get to walk on them. I think i walked too much on it as i soon felt like i had wet cement forming in my mouth. I quickly make my way to the sin seh. As i waited in line, i was given a cup of water which i glady took and rinsed my mouth at the reception area. Yes, i was allowed to spit in a public area. And no one minded. I did it several times and was so relieved i was cured of it.
I still had to make my way back to work. I continued my journey and i eventually end up at, what?! Another mosque?? Oh man... I wasnt going through another mosque. Got me into enough trouble already. Wait, no, hold on. This looks familiaaar... Yes! It was the Good Shepherd. I glady enter through. It was getting very dark and very dim and very foggy and blurry. The street lamps were not on. Nothing was. And i was getting a bit worried and lot more frightened. But deillusional can only get me so far. I pluck up the courage and trudge on into the dim fogginess. occasionally i'll see some old foggy walk pass. But it was getting late! I started to run like this fog was a common situation to be in. It was so exhilarating to run! Until i had to stop dead in my tracks. A leopard appeared out from the fog. It's deep growl and pacing er, pace made me instinctively turn around and walk briskly to safety. I end up in my living room. But it wasnt mine. It was for the public but it looked like my living room. Caucasion old ladys sat on chairs watching TV without a care. I enter in out of breath and panicking. Cos 1) leopard's blocking my path 2) im late!!!! What do i do???
I try to pluck up more courage to walk pass it, but i just can't. The third time i come into the room, i see a dashing young man. Strong and perhaps brave and stupid enough to fend off the leopard while i make my escape. I dont remember what we did or what happened. All i remember was a whole lot of a hullo-balloo(sp?) and it was gone. Victory needed to be celebrated.
We came back to the living room for a rest before celebrations and
I see the clock and it says 10mins to 9pm! Ah, heck about being late. Im sure i can rationalise with them on what happened.
*yes, all this time i walked. Taking a cab NEVER occurred to me. I dunno why k?
