We set about our journey at different day and time, within the proximity where it was situated. As best as I could, I tried not to think about the way I knew how to get to my destination and started asking for directions. Initially there were a few people whom I had approached, gave leads to my hunting. And, there were a couple of them who gave wrong directions! Of course the rule of the game was to follow the leads. Thinking that it could be the description that I had tried to give that were misleading them, I attempted to make myself clearer. Where was it near to, what the place used to be used for, etc. Nevertheless, the people who 'helped' still confidently pointed me further from where I needed to get to. Somehow, what could have been a walk of 20 minutes, turned out to be a couple of hours of 'chasing wild geese'.
The last person that finally brought me to my destination left the deepest impression on me, even till now. He was a trishaw guy waiting for some tourist to board his vehicle. I had introduced myself to be a student trying to find this place for my school assignment.. blah blah blah.. Without much hesitation he offered me a ride, F.O.C. (free of charge)! As quickly as the offer came, I agreed without much thought given. At normal rate, a tourist had to pay around S$50. Sometimes when I think back and realise that it could have been dangerous to hitch ride like that, but thank God, I believe there was just this peaceful trust I had in this kind old man who happened to be just waiting for the unseeming patron. Or rather, I was just too glad that I had a chance ride on a trishaw! For free and to give my feet a much needed break. 'It must be from God', I must have thought to myself.
It was almost evening and the sky had darkened. The ride took us
through some very interesting places; some historical, some ethnical and some illegal. Much of which I had never seen. Apart from soaking in this amazing ride, we chatted and I gave description to the site. As it seemed to be all planned, the route of the trishaw ride fell perfectly where my destination was. We were right beside it and the journey ended. We bid goodbyes and I was so filled with gratefulness. He could never get to know that I would have get there on my own. Honestly, it did feel like deception. But I do not think I will ever do that again. God forgiven me.
This act not only gave direction to my design project. It also gave me the furtherance of the meaning I tried to seek in living each day, that focuses on a journey, not the destination. So here I am, putting thoughts into these words. What seemed to be a wrong direction and 'goose-chase' had turned out to be the directions which lead to the interesting and unexpected discovery of a divine adventure.
Whenever I pass by this same spot where I had first met him, I would look out for that familar face. However, that was the only time I met him.
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