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Saturday, August 06, 2005

Different Perspectives

Firstly, there's the issue about driving. Driving is supposed to be comfortable relative to walking, cycling, or taking the bus. It's a privilege and a luxury. Now, Singaporean guy's job requires him to work with clients at the clients' place. So one week, he had to go to the suburb beside mine. My suburb is about 6 KMs from the city. He lives on the other side of the city, probably another 6 KMs. Where he was going would have to be at most 2 KMs from where I live. He doesn't need to take a detour into my place before going into the other suburb. So I'd say he needed to drive about 13 KMs one way. He thinks that is "so far"! Now mildly overweight Indian guy (who is now Australian) runs that distance once in a while for exercise.

I go for a drive to Lake Jindabyne one day. This is round trip of about 400 KMs. Malaysian guy says that's very far. Australian guy (not the Indian guy above) says that's a nice distance for a drive. Yes! That's what driving is about. Cutting through valleys, climbing mountains, passing little towns, etc.. And when you reach the crest of the hill and you see the Sun's rays reflecting off Lake Jindabyne, a lake in the mountains, you know it was all worth it.

Now, cycling. When I bought my bike, one of my objectives was to ride on the trials in the Cotter and Namadgi reserves. So I asked Malaysian guy about bike racks for cars about 1.5 months ago. Should I buy the 3 slot rack for $120 or the 4 slot rack for $150. He says go for the 4 slot one; so there would be enough for everyone. I finally bought it today and he tells me he wouldn't go with me! FUCK! Apparently, on our first and last and only ride round half of Lake Burley Griffin, I went too fast. He says he likes slow leisurely rides.

In stark contrast, during tree planting last week, Australian guy and I climbed up to the top of Mt Macdonald and saw all the "fire trails" snaking about the Cotter reserve. And instantly we agreed that this would be a good place to ride.

After dinner today, we were discussing what to do? Singaporean girl says, "let's do something different." Good I thought. "Let's go for a drive", I said. That didn't work. Apparently, going to different cafes each week is considered doing something different. Fuck! We ended up renting a DVD again! Well, it was a different movie so that must have been doing something different! (Unfortunately, we chose a really crap movie too. Damn!)

What's with these Singaporeans and Malaysians! They fly all the way across the ocean to Australia, with its great distances, views, reserves, and cool winter weather, and all they want to do is go to cafes and rent DVDs!

Very different perspectives indeed...

(I'd probably need to duck for cover after they read this. Ha ha!)

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