Jump, Monkey, Jump!

"By trying often the monkey learns to jump from the tree.” ~ African proverb

I walked through the Sacred Monkey Forest this morning. It was a wee bit out of my comfort zone but they left me totally alone. They licked and kissed the other humans. I did not buy any bananas to feed them so I was not one of their attractions. Watching them play in their natural environment was pretty cool; seeing how humans are careless and put the monkeys in peril was not. Lots of stolen treasures ranging from cigarette cases to water bottles were their new toys. It made me nervous, wondering how that might impact them if they swallowed a water bottle cap or something.

Tonight I am dining at a Thai restaurant called Siam Sally and just finishing up with a marvellous fruit platter with new items, most of which I forget the name of except for snake fruit. I also remember the monkeys munching on these little furry red on the outside and jelly-like fruit in the inside today.

Learning new things here has been interesting--such as how do I eat these new fruits. The waiter recommended not eating the nut in the middle of the snake fruit! Like a monkey, I will learn to jump from the tree!

Peace,

Suzanne

Letting Go

“Unbind him and let him go!” ~ Jesus in John 11 in the raising of Lazarus story

I am now in beautiful Bali. I arrived shortly after noon today and made the trek to the Guest House where you see the view from my balcony. It is really lovely. I hope to get out and explore more of the town tomorrow after a good night’s sleep.

Today I did sit by the pool for a short time before venturing out on the streets to sightsee. I had Indonesian food for supper—rice, some tasty vegetables, and a beef dish. I tried a white mango drink to which you added liquid sugar—I really liked that part!! I assume it is made out of sugar cane.

I feel a little like I have been unbound this trip. I am living mostly in the moment due to needing to pay attention. I have done little thinking about work or worship issues that were causing me stress. I find it hard to believe that in a week this little adventure will be over and I will be sleeping in my own bed. I will just continue to enjoy the moment instead of thinking about that.

I am perhaps a little bit like Lazarus. I was “dead-tired” when I left work ten days ago. Somehow, I did get a second wind before leaving though maybe still “sleeping” a little. Now I feel as if I have been called out of the tomb, submerging myself in the beauty of this experience. I am grateful for this entire journey. I feel so fortunate to see the things I am seeing and to live out the gifts as they unfold. Tonight I had an amazing massage, followed by a facial in one of the many spas that litter this town. I found myself intrigued a little by the differences in massage techniques.

Where are you at these days? Are you in the cave, long dead, or have you been unbound and set free? This is the last week of Lent. May you cast off all that has enslaved you and make your way back to the Light. Jesus is there calling you forth, waiting for you.

Peace,

Suzanne

A Beautiful Life

It’s in living every moment
Like it could be your last
For our hearts are restless till
They rest in Love’s caress
~ Beautiful Life, Corrinne May

Last night after a busy day of sightseeing, Celeste and I went to a Corrinne May concert. She is a Catholic, Singaporean troubadour with a "voice like butter" (Celeste's description). One of the songs on her new album is called Beautiful Life and these are the opening words to it. I try to live by this philosophy--it is very Ignatian actually. Living life as if you were on your death bed, making choices for the better good.

I have been praying a six-week Novena this Lent for some special intentions and after the concert, held at Celeste's church, I wondered if there might be reconciliation today. She asked one of the Franciscans who looked at me and said he could see me now. With a big smile, he asked, "Will you be very long?" I smiled back and assured him I would not be. This man turned out to be part of the answer of my Novena. I have read sometimes of confessors who can see the hearts of their people. This priest was able to read mine. He gave me several words of encouragement but one concept that stands out is that he commented that I seemed like a joyous person and that I need not to hold back. I needed to share that joy with the world, despite the pain that I am feeling about a situation in my life. I almost fell off my chair when he said that because it is the very prayer I have been offering up. This was one of the best sacraments of reconciliation that I have received in a long time. He took his task very seriously, was insightful, and even managed to crack a joke or two.

The Lenten reflection today was entitled, Don't Act in Anger, and that was another confirmation of my Lenten journey. Nouwen writes "...give yourself time to remember who you are, to get things in perspective, to remember that the person who upset you is a beloved child. Return to your own belovedness." Food to live by: no regrets for moments lived thoughtlessly if you are living as attentively as you can.

The photo here is of the laughing Buddha in Chinatown here in Singapore. I thought of how much joy is needed sometimes for this journey and if I had a photo of the laughing Jesus I would have posted it.

Peace,

Suzanne

Exploring Singapore

I am loving Singapore! Yesterday, I spent the morning at the fabulous zoo, watching many creatures I had never seen in my life, like the white tiger. I like the zoo in some ways because it allows people to see animals that they might never see. On the other hand, I am not someone who thinks animals should live in caged surroundings. This zoo is a good compromise: it takes in some orphaned and injured animals and places them in open spaces without many barriers, instead depending on large cavities between the animal and the viewer to suffice in protecting both.

I had a wonderful dim sum lunch at the zoo before wandering through the African animals (lion, giraffe, zebra, and rhinos) exhibit. One day I will get back to my beloved Africa. There are many differences between the continents. The heat here is incredible due to the humidity. In Kenya, it was a scorching dry heat which I loved. The flora and fauna are similar but the people are different. I feel incredibly safe here. I do not have to fear being ogled or taken advantage of in any way. It is peaceful here. Walking around at night is possible and plausible. In Burundi and Nairobi, I never went out after dark. I have not see much poverty here either. It is a refreshing change and I can see why my friend is not sure she can return home.

I came home for a quick dip in the pool before heading to Chinatown to meet her at one of the Hindu temples. The noise and smells were intriguing as I watched some type of ritual of offering. I have never been in a temple and so am unfamiliar with the entire process. Food offerings litter the temple and my friend tells me that often there are rats at temples which made total sense to me.

From there we wandered through the stalls of Chinatown, both of us buying gifts. I rubbed the laughing Buddha’s belly. My friend has had several dozen visitors over her time here and so knows exactly when to have us pause and take a photo and where the best deals are in town. This makes the travel experience so simple. She has been amazingly gracious, planning my days of adventure as she heads to work. I am grateful.

Then we headed to a hawker area called Gluttony Bay, which is true to its name. We shared skewers of satay, rice, and for me, a new type of vegetable that looked like spinach and was doused in oyster oil that was incredibly tasty. Afterwards we wandered through the waterfront area with a magnificent colourful skyline. The Singapore Flyer, the new casino with the pool on the top floor, the durian-shaped theatre, and the Merlion (half fish, half lion) statue are famous, must-see landmarks. The Merlion is normally a white statue that was spewing coloured water and changing colours last night via a computer light show.

We then took a boat ride to the MRT (rapid transit system) and walked around a bit in an area full of bars. We stopped in at one and had a delicious mango margaritas that had a bit of a slurpee effect. I am enjoying all the fruit and the food in general here. I have been quite well while I traveled here. You can even drink the tap water.

It was an awesome day and I am ready for another adventure today, returning to this area, including shopping in Little India and other markets, going to a mosque, trying my hand at the Casino, and seeing how much this slow tourist can fit into one day. I have been moving at a leisurely pace most days here but hope to pick it up a wee bit today.

Peace,

Suzanne

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. ~John Muir

Yesterday I spent most of the day at Bukit Timah Nature Park and Reserve. I found myself lost in the beauty of the rainforest in the middle of a busy city, soaking in the colours and sounds. I saw animals I had never seen before, in particular the odd monitor lizard which seems out of place today--I imagine it lumbering around centuries ago, although it is small, but it reminds me of a mini-dinosaur.

The colours of the flowers were magnificent. I had never seen mangrove trees and there are spectacular. I saw the monkeys at the Reserve. They pretty much left me alone, keeping a watchful eye on me as I did them. I walked my feet off yesterday in weather that was humid and hot. I have grown a second layer of skin--moisture that is constantly with me.


Last night Celeste and I went out to one of the hawkers for supper--a mix of East Indian food and then for dessert Thai, a yummy mango sticky rice dish. Afterwards we went to the Canadian International School where she works for a musical entitled Pirates put on by the grades 4-6 classes. It was fun to see Celeste in her element, well-loved and highly engaged. I will return tonight with her for the official opening of the new school. She tells me that Cirque du Soleil will be performing.

Today I am late getting going so am not really sure how much I will do. I am heading downtown.

After yesterday's trek in nature, I do feel like I went inwards as I went out, quieting myself and finding myself in the stillness of a camera lens, one of my favourite things to do.

Peace,

Suzanne

Suzanne in Singapore

"Do you want to be made well?" ~ John 5:6

I have slept well after arriving in Singapore last evening. My friend Celeste picked me up from the airport and we arrived at her great little condo. After chatting a bit, we had supper and she oriented me a little to her life here. I was in bed at 11:00 pm and awoke fairly refreshed.

This morning, as I had promised myself I went poolside for the first part of the day. I did my morning readings there and the Gospel of John had the lame man wanting to be made well. As I lay in the sun, I could feel my soul stilling and I thought, "Yes, I do want to be made well on this trip." I have been so tired at home lately that this will be a good and necessary break. I have totally unplugged from work which on the one hand, feels weird not to be checking my Blackberry but it also feels wonderful to leave it all behind.

I will write about the Hong Kong part of the journey another time. For now, I am off to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Peace,

Suzanne

Hong Kong Bound!

"Would you mind changing seats?" ~ Air Canada Attendant

I had a great evening with friends Therese and Gilles in Vancouver, sharing a Vietnamese supper at a local restaurant to start my Asian adventure perfectly.

Now at the airport, I've answered the page. I am now seating in a different seat-just one row ahead of where I was so that a family can sit together. My hopes of being upgraded are dashed! Well, I did not really have them, but it does seem the flight is fuller than expected. The business class is completely full. Boarding information has begun. I will be on the plane and in the air in the next hour. Woohoo! Let the fun begin.

Peace,

Suzanne