On Sunday, mum jio-ed me to go brisk walking along the tree-lined Old Punggol Road that leads to the beach and jetty. She was sick of going around in circles along the drabby grey pavements by the main road, so we decided to explore the road less travelled - the more natural side of Singapore that brings you past Punggol 17th Avenue and Punggol 24th Avenue.
Entering Old Punggol Road territory was like taking a trip into a nature reserve, with lovely thick foliage forming a continuous canopy along the slightly undulating long road right up to the sea. Jogging or walking under the protection of the never-ending row of trees was such a pleasure, because of the comfortable cool shade it offered. The twitter of birds, the chirping of the crickets...all these calls of nature were all the more magnified in the stillness of the natural surroundings. The only human sounds that provided the occasional distraction were the purring engines of the few cars that cruised by and my off-and-on conversation with mum.
Alas, our walk was interrupted by the sudden heavy downpour. Funnily, it was not an unwelcome interruption, although we were soaked to our skin when we were still about 15 minutes away from our home. Instead, it was the most invigorating shower I've ever had, rain drops beating down on my sweat-tinged skin, a wakeup call like no other.
I had broken into a trot (to try to get home to rescue our clothes that were hung out to sun) before deciding to wait for mum at a bus-stop. You couldn't really call that seeking shelter because I was so drenched. She reached, and we sat down for a while before deciding that it wouldn't hurt to continue the journey back on foot because we couldn't get any wetter than that!
Mum laughed and said it was the first time in all her life that she had ever been caught in the rain, because my late grandpa, being the authoritarian he was, would beat his children up if they ever did get soaked. Thank goodness I bit my tongue before declaring a silly oh-man-where-did-your-childhood-go, because this was mum who caught fish in the longkang and climbed trees when she was young.
But oh, what a pity that she never knew how it felt to be kissed by the rain! I, on the other hand, had my fair share at outdoor camps.
Mum, looking quite so happy despite her matted long hair and sticky clothes, then added: "I guess this is God's way of showing me how wonderful rain can feel!"
I couldn't agree more.
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6 comments:
I'm envious... =) Of your relationship with your mom, and that you can talk about God with her. My parents aren't Christian and they are reserved people, but still I can't wait till the day they believe in Jesus too and then we can talk about God all the time. Haha.
yo bikky, have faith that your parents will come to know God! :)
hey, try walking along edgefield plains towards the sea. pass the LRT track, into a small road that leads you pass an orchard. The road ends at a very old chinese shrine. follow the track down and you will reach the river where you see folks fishing. if you were to follow the coastline left, you will reach Punggol beach(where the jetty is). A long but peaceful walk with nature.
ps. dont try this alone though. might not be safe for a girl to wander the area solo.
aberwyn, oh cool, new route! ok, need to figure out where edgefield plains is first. thanks! yup, will definitely go with someone. even Old Punggol Road is a little quiet for a girl to walk alone, if the skies are too dark.
ohhh!!!! When will I ever get to jog with my mum? -_-''' U are one lucky girl u know?
Daniel Phang
edgefield plains is the road that intersects punggol field at the junction nearest to the ah beng coffee shop.
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