Smitten.

The Mind's Eye About Notes Past Others

I can't imagine all the people that you know
And the places that you go
When the lights are turned down low
And I don't understand all the things you've seen
But I'm slipping in between
You and your big dreams
It's always you, in my big dreams

Tuesday, May 19, 2009 @ 12:13 AM

Back in Singapore

I can't help but hang on to the fleeting memories of the smells, the sights and the tastes of all the wonderful places that I got to go to.

Edinburgh, Glasgow, Skye, Lake District, Paris, London.

The sweetest memory would have to be of Paris. We were sitting by the River Seine, listening to this big band practice a performance. It was ridiculously spectacular - things you only dream about and watch in movies. The sun was setting, Notre Dame in the distance, music of saxophones, snare drums, trombones, clarinets, flutes and other nameless instruments. People were dancing by the banks of the river.

We enjoy the moment which is honestly too good to be true and just as we get up to leave, there is a tap on my shoulder. A middle aged lady hands me an envelope and before I can say anything she says.. "this is just a gift. it's just a gift."

Thoroughly befuddled, we walk off and open the envelope.

This was the card inside.

She wrote:

"For this magic moment in Paris, I've been so happy to be set near you...

Please accept this gift.
Thank you so much.

Ms ______"

We rushed back to take a photo with her. And when we got closer, there were tears running down her face. I asked if she was alright, and she said she was. She was from Paris herself. We took a photo, she bid us a wonderful trip and waved with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes.

Of course we couldn't leave it at that. We rushed to the nearest shop, got a pale blue scarf, we thought she might be a bit cold sitting by the river as the night fell. Rushed back to the river, hoping that she would still be there. We saw no sign of her.. till we got to the band. She was dancing along with the music. :) I wish I had thought to take a photo of her in her abandon but I guess some memories are just meant to be a snapshot in the mind, where no photo would have done justice.

We walked off for dinner, glancing behind to see her wrap herself with the scarf and start dancing again.

I can say truly that it was the best 7.50 euros we spent on our entire trip.

I'll be posting up my photos on joachim/wenkien's blog :) I'll only be here once in a while, to preserve the little memories that happen to jump to mind as I edit my photos. I'll see you guys around :)