Enter through the twin lock door Followed by each listless stare Wonder what inside’s in store Helpless people everywhere Old folk guided by a nurse Tramp the sterile corridor Good old times they still rehearse While they shuffle ‘round the floor Sadie sits in her wheel chair Reaches out as we pass by Old Joe looks … Continue reading Nursing Home
Traffic was thick as we made our way inch by inch toward our destination. We’d wisely decided to leave our car at home and take a taxi, as this gave us freedom to walk the last few blocks and avoid traffic jams. Crowds were converging on Singapore River for their annual dragon boat festival. This festival is not as threatening as the name may indicate … Continue reading Dragon Boat Festival
“My husband would like to take you golfing.” I was examining requisition requests with Suzanne our Chinese Purchasing Officer at the Singapore office when she dropped that one on me. I smiled, and her face clouded over with uncertainty. “Did I say something wrong?” “No, I was just remembering the last time I attempted to play golf fifteen years ago. It was at Kodaikanal in … Continue reading Golfing in Asia
When I was young, of tender year, I was sent to the butcher shop, And left the house with a heart of cheer, With instructions not to stop For the butcher shop was quite some way And the road was uphill straight, I paused as I heard our neighbour say “Nice day for yer shoppin mate!” In roadside dust you could see a glint Of … Continue reading Lobb’s Butcher Shop
People who work for charitable organizations in Asia never have the experience of being overpaid. They’re usually entrusted with vast territories, multitudes of people to serve, and a limited pool of funds to apply to the task. Tales could be told of poverty and hunger among older generations of charitable organization employees in the early days of their employment. It takes courage and dedication to … Continue reading Rescued from an Ant Heap
Pan Am had been in financial difficulties for several years before finally facing up to the fact the once proud leader of an airline industry was no longer financially viable. The bones of the once proud giant were still being picked over by industry vultures and I noted there were signs of former Pan Am markings on the United Airlines aircraft I was about … Continue reading High 5 for Airline Crews
Yesudas was born in one of the poorest communities to be encountered in Southern Asia. His village was situated among towering rock formations, and stone covered fields. Over centuries patient farmers had collected rocks in piles at the borders of ancestral lands, trying vainly to find soil enough in which to plant their rice crop during monsoons. For most of the year the climate was … Continue reading RAGS TO RICHES
We’d been in India for 6 years before venturing to drive. A vehicle is a potential guided missile so you have to learn evasive tactics before venturing out in your own missile in that country. There are two important things to master if you’re to make a successful driver, and these are the horn and accelerator. If you can master these two vital objects you’re … Continue reading My Indian Chariots
She glanced at the fund transfer for one hundred thousand rupees about to be handed over to College Administration. It was not a huge amount when converted to dollars, but a princely sum in the local economy. She was overjoyed to have facilitated this donation, and her mind went back to the event which made this possible. The college President had one day called her … Continue reading Nothing is Impossible
My father Eric was born 21 March 1912 at “Hillside” Raymond Terrace, Brisbane Australia to father Stephen Thomas Grice aged 19, practicing at that time as a Jeweller and Engraver in Brisbane, and Phyllis Ann Ida formerly Robertson, but known as Anderson, also aged 19. The big news at the time was a nationwide tussle between government and clergy over the evils of mixed bathing. … Continue reading Eric
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