My Thoughts 杂感。。。

(1) Seeing Light at the end of the Tunnel

Came across this phrase, the first time, in my previous context. A couple of colleagues had this hang at their mouth pretty often, especially when they finished the attachment. I could not quite understand what it meant except I knew that it's equivalent to what the chinese saying 脱离苦海。

Well, it's not the first time I went through a tunnel... even in Singapore, I travelled through KPE and CTE. However, I guess usually my mind was preoccupied with other thoughts and did not quite connect the phrase to what I experienced.

This time, probably because the mind was really set free to wander... and was at the front seat of the bus. The phrase just flashed across my mind... as we crossed numerous tunnels (think at one time, 23 of them and one of them was as long as 4 km!).

Though the tunnel was litted with lights, the feeling of uneasiness came... the constraint, the confinement, and a sudden wonder "When will I see sunlight? How much longer does it take to reach the end?" Then I realised, that's how the 2 colleagues felt back in the office then...

那是一种重见天日的感受，我终于体会到了。
我庆幸到目前为止，还没想过自己活在隧道里。。。
希望不会有这一刻的等待。。。

(2) Ice Cream

I love to eat ice cream... especially when in the cold. The first time I experienced that was in Paris... my first Europe trip so many years ago. The numbness in the mouth while the sweetness flowed through the throat. From then onwards, without fail, eating ice cream becomes part of the rituals of any trip, especially those in winter wonderland :)
在冰天雪地里吃冰淇淋，是一种享受！

(3) The "Apparent" Supt
Haha... it didn't cross my mind that there was a Superintendent or even a Principal in the tour group when travelling in a package tour. Anyway, I don't think that would bother me at all. Sometimes people tend to make inference very quickly, too... and it could turn out to be the opposite. LOL. What would you infer if someone said, "I'm more powerful than a Principal" when a near retirement lady told a little girl? There were so many possibilities... anyway... she could be the mother of a Principal son/ daughter, and not necessary be the Supt! On the other hand, if you have heard of 'horror' stories from in some schools, the teachers are 'more powerful' than the Principal! Hahaha...
既来之则安之；何必杯弓蛇影呢？

(4) The Unpolished Family
I might sound mean? but I guess I have some expectation of fellow Singaporean's decorum - at least not being disruptive or disrespectful. (ah! That reminded me of the 3000 word essay that asked "Who is a Singaporean"? The Singaporean identity).

• Someone who's loud and no manners: Would talk loudly while the guide was trying to provide information about the destination.So, you own all the space around you? Hey, don't you know that sound travels through air? Selfish old man!
• Someone who 'operated' as the housewife at the morning buffet area - do you own this 'kitchen' or you are the part-time waitress? Or you think it's a kopitiam where you needed to raise the voice because others are deaf?
• A teenager who would smoke and he thought he looked cool?
• 2 young 'ladies' who are below 18 years old can't tell what's our national language? Anyway, the way you dressed didn't make sense... wrapped like a dumpling on top while a pair of translucent stocking for the legs in the winter! Something's wrong with your nerve system I guess?

(4) An Excellent Guide

Notice that my 'travel' pattern has changed over the recent years. In the past, tour packages would be the first consideration for any leisure trips. The turning point was my recee to Bhutan in 2005, which was my very first trip that I travelled on my own. Thereafter, any trip arrangement is no longer deemed as a challenge. In fact, I enjoy the 'freedom' to manage my time :) Hence, it does not matter whether there's any tour leader or tour guide for my trips - as long as I've time to plan and do the necessary groundwork (yes, it's a disclaimer!). Moreover, in the recent years, even when I travel with a guide in the 2 package tours, their service did not leave any impression at all (after the trip). I guess, they just did what's expected/ necessary. They did not make a difference.

Mr Kishi, the guide for this trip was different. I was impressed by his professionalism and thoughtfuless! I think it's the extra mile that he gave that made a difference! Certainly, as expected of his profession, he knew the stuff very well... He also made an attempt to engage the group with 'stories' based on his experiences. I felt the extra mile came from, him being bothered to visit any room to check to see to things are fine and doing his best to make the group feel comfortable and safe. Well, he would ensure all getting the boarding pass issued and all the luggages were checked in without any problem. We came across tour guides who would just bid farewell to the group after alighting from the bus! So, I guess it's not an obligation (as a member of the unpolished family commented) but the commitment to provide good service.

(5) Cooked Sashimi
It's the first time I came across this: There were people who dislike sashimi... oh! What a waste, especially when out for a trip in Japan! Japan is well-known for its sashimi, it's fresh and cheap! Yes, what else to ask for if it's about half the price of what we pay for in Singapore. Well, it seemed like there were people in the group that do not eat sashimi... so, each meal when there's raw stuff, we would hear Kishi reminding the group to quickly put the raw fish into the little pot of soup.

(6) Sand Bath @ Ibusuki
It's a pretty interesting experience - burying ourselves in the sand! Haha.. what a silly idea?! Nevertheless, it's a very comfortable body 'therapy' when the body was immersed in warm sand... notice I used the word 'warm'? In fact this was not the first time I experience the sand bath (the previous one was in the Tohoku trip). However, this is unique and authentic! Done at the beach! If it's in a sunny day, I guess I would be far more exciting! haha...

(7) Sunrise
It was a rare opportunity to stay by the sea (even in Japan, although it happened a few times in the Tohoku trip). What's more it's facing the east. Though I didn't use the compass or check the map, my instinct told me it's facing the east. Ha! That stirred a bit of excitement... and guess what, CN rose early to wait for the sun. OK, the winter sun hid itself behind the clouds until we had our breakfast. No luck this time.
I guess the most 'successful' sunrise watching was still the one at Tohoku :)


(8) Christmas is around the corner
Christmas music and songs filled the air - from Huis Ten Bosch to the shopping malls. Yes, it's so Christmasy! "The Little Town of Bethleham" to "Al de Fiesta" (if I remember the name correctly) to the commonly known "Jingle Bells". The first two reminded me of those good old days when went carolling with the college choir :) While I'm not a Christian, I enjoyed having myself immersed in the air of christmas - the joy and peace :)