“Will you spend a night in my village?” my adopted son posed a question.
“I will try.” I riposted.
It was his smart idea to ask me and also the
safer answer I could give. We had this predictable conversation several times–we
knew the scenario well–not a dejavu, of course.
As usual I really never spent more than one
night in my adopted son’s hamlet. And had no intention this time either–a night
only–I thought. For one reason, the place isn’t interesting at all–it’s dry and
boring. I came with him just to see his immediate family.
Lo and behold, it was a very surprising
turn. A night came and then another one and then two more nights–four nights all
in all. It beats me how I defeated my prejudices against the place itself–without
electricity to use, without clean water to enjoy, nothing to anticipate a life–but
boredom and isolation–just staying home the whole, long day.
It started with a willing heart to
understand that nothingness out there. I knew there was more to something than
meets the eye. And my son was my angel who helped me see that. It was a
beautiful detour of a lifetime.
When I thought spending a night was like forever
in agony–it was a journey indeed turned out wonderfully–full of surprises in
the process and in the shape of something…
…Reconnecting to nature was the top in the
lists not realizing I actually needed a quiet place to take a rest away from
the hustle and bustle of the city–seeing, hearing, feeling, and tasting only
what nature has in stored. I was like in hibernation. It helped relieved stress.
…Character check, I needed that too. I have
learned to be patient in the slowness of time and of things in the village–a
lifestyle I once left back home. I assumed I won’t enjoy again.
…I regained my strength physically. I was weak
and was sick and had been coughing for the past three weeks. But when I got
there, my sickness has gone. I came back yesterday healthy like I’ve never been
ill.
…There were feastings with endless invitation
to refuse. And not to mention, before us but a bounty of food to enjoy through
the kindness of hosts whom we visited.
See, you’ll never know what kind of life awaits
you at times–whether it will flabbergast you or will amaze you. Thanks to my
son, my angel, for this beautiful detour with him.
Detour
– The act of going or traveling to a place a way that is different from the
usual or planned way. –Miriam-Webster
Dictionary–
