The Finnish encounter

At the bus stop, already behind schedule, there i stood waiting with impatience for the bus. Four passed by but none would bring me to my destination. Dwelling in silence, I felt as if being mocked by the passing buses. My impatience intensified and i thought to myself "Shit! I'm gonna miss Miss Jane's see-off farewell". Then came an european couple. They were backpack travellers made obvious by their load hoisted unto their backs which accustomed a Camel. Two in this case. Looking sloppy yet decent, they eyed the bus number board with great intent. I guess they knew, somehow, that a 30 by 20 centimeter alloyed board coated with paint resembling lines and numbers raised up on a pole wouldn't be much help unless, ofcourse, they ask for directions. I'm sure it was either our comparable dressing or my flawless facial contours that intrigued them to me.

"Scuss mee, doue you know whicch bus goes to little india?" The female started.

"Oh erm, there's no direct bus route leading to little india from here." I answered.

"Oh... HuuuH? was their reply.

" You can take a bus from here to the MRT station and go to little india from there. You know ther train? (accompanied by hand actions moving from left to right at chest level)"

"Oh the train, hoow too get theree?" came the female.

"You can board this bus or mabye, why not you follow me and i'll lead you there cos i'm heading towards there myself?"

"Oh okay, thank you"

So we boarded the bus, sat down with each of them occupying two seats cos' of the load on their backs and we conversed. They're actually from Finland, though i have no idea where that is on the map but i know it exists which is a good thing, and it's their first visit to Singapore. heehee. So I had the privilage of welcoming them to Singapore inspite of being Malaysian. Anyway, i found out later that they came from Cambodia to Thailand to Malaysia and now Singapore where they'll be spending two days visiting what little it has. heh.

We reached the MRT station and they desperately needed tickets, so i directed them to the ticketing counters and instructed them verbally and PhYsIcAlLy with hand points and signals (cos' i knew "standard British english" wasn't gonna help much). Then it came to inserting money into the machine. *drops dead* They were loaded i tell you. There were at least 10 fifty dollar notes and 20 ten dollar notes neatly folded into the clasping right hand of the male. They were so loaded that the machines didn't accept their notes cos' the largest bill it'll accepts is a 5. Which i had =D. I paid for their trip and they offered a 10 in return but i said "Since this is your first trip to Singapore, this will be my treat" (There was this old guy begging them for money and he wasn't poorly dressed. What a jerk i tell you! stalking innocent tourists. Naturally i told him off =D my forte. Sorry la, i just find rich beggars irritating. First visit and in Singapore somemore...)... Anyway, the couple kept insisting but i resisted. heehee.

So i showed them around the platform and taught them what they needed to know to get to places they wanted. They were interested in visiting the zoo in the morning... and i was like "Uh huh... The ice-cream there is good" and they were like "Ice cream good?"... (it's not like i'll visit sentosa for some cooped up in the cage on a overpopulated island animal show) sheesh, way-to-go!! just don't die of boredom... okay nevermind there. Yup, so we alighted at an interchange cos' they had to transfer. There, i saw them off and shook their hands. They were a nice and cute couple =D chubby like me. heehee. Thereafter, i headed off to changi for Miss Jane's farewell...

Date of occurance: 08 september 2005