Singapore – an Indian perspective
October 5, 2010 9:06 am GeneralToday, I am going to the zoo! I haven’t been there since 2005 and what I remember of it is that there’s lots of walking.
I’m going with a visiting Jesuit from India. It’s the first time in Johnny’s 13 years as a missionary in Darjeeling that he’s taking leave from his work. It’s also his first time travelling out of India. He marvels at our efficiency, both in terms of how fast we do things and how much we get done in one space. For example, while he visited Church of the Risen Christ, he was amazed at how Singaporeans pack everything that they need into one building. I suppose that’s because in Singapore, land is expensive, so we’re forced to be creative in maximising the use of what we have.
His host, Fr Albert Ng, who is currently assistant priest at Church of the Holy Trinity, took Johnny out to sea for a fishing trip last week. That was the first time Johnny had ever set foot on a boat, and what an experience he had! Coming from the hilly district of Darjeeling, where there are no seas or lakes, Johnny had a rocking experience on the boat, in addition to the fact that the boat went through a storm that night! Now he knows the fear that the apostles felt. Makes him a better priest, I suppose. =B
