Wednesday, April 7, 2010
It's been a long time. It didnt seem like 10 years had passed since i last set foot in this town. With a sense of trepidation coursing through my body, I stepped gingerly out of the train. What would I find? What would I see? Would I still be able to recognise this place which I was once so familiar with? Or would I find it to be another victim of modernization?
I was slowly approaching the exit. My fingers were tightly clenched around the handle of my luggage. I froze in my tracks, I could feel the palpitating beat of my heart. I took in a deep breath to calm my nerves. Then I closed my eyes, clenched my teeth and strided out of the station.
I could feel the sun warming up my body, I could see the light penetrating my lids, and as i slowly opened them, my eyes adjusted to the initial glaring surroundings and it was then that i realise that i had been holding my breath. A smile spread across my face as I took in the sight.
Though modernization was inevitable, the town still retained the essence which I was familiar with.
A wave of nostalgia hit me as I strolled down the street. I ran my hand across the rough surface of the beautiful stone walls that have aged through the years, thinking back on when I used to dislike it whenever I got careless and grazed my arms. I passed many shops and stores along the way, and while most were new, I could still spot the familiar shop fronts that had been there from when I could remember. I peered into the bookstore I used to patronise so frequently, and there I saw Mrs Fields, the shop owner, comfortably seated in her armchair reading a book, and her daughter, Lily, was busy attending to some customers.
I set off once again down the street, and as the street start to converge, I caught an aromatic waft of freshly brewed coffee. I smiled to myself, knowing that I've reached what used to be famously known as the capuccino strip.
It was still as it used to be, a bustling place with many cafes. It was the liveliest street in town, with people enjoying a cup of coffee and sharing their latest gossip, or catching up with their friends.
I didn't stop to soak in the atmosphere, I had something more important to do.
As I reached the end of the street, I hastily followed the path I had been so familiar with, the path which was so vivid in my memories. My feet moved with no hesitation, it knew the way. I broke into a run, and as turn the corner by the old church, I saw it. There it was not too far off, the familiar stone pavement, beautiful cobblestone walls, the exquisite french windows. I eased my pace, and as I slowly made my way through the gate, I was overcome with feelings and memories. I stood on the pavement and look up at the house. One of the windows on the upper floors opened, and two faces appeared, both with equally astonished yet delighted expressions.
I beamed at the slightly lined faces which are undeniably familiar, and said "I'm home."
I was slowly approaching the exit. My fingers were tightly clenched around the handle of my luggage. I froze in my tracks, I could feel the palpitating beat of my heart. I took in a deep breath to calm my nerves. Then I closed my eyes, clenched my teeth and strided out of the station.
I could feel the sun warming up my body, I could see the light penetrating my lids, and as i slowly opened them, my eyes adjusted to the initial glaring surroundings and it was then that i realise that i had been holding my breath. A smile spread across my face as I took in the sight.
Though modernization was inevitable, the town still retained the essence which I was familiar with.
A wave of nostalgia hit me as I strolled down the street. I ran my hand across the rough surface of the beautiful stone walls that have aged through the years, thinking back on when I used to dislike it whenever I got careless and grazed my arms. I passed many shops and stores along the way, and while most were new, I could still spot the familiar shop fronts that had been there from when I could remember. I peered into the bookstore I used to patronise so frequently, and there I saw Mrs Fields, the shop owner, comfortably seated in her armchair reading a book, and her daughter, Lily, was busy attending to some customers.
I set off once again down the street, and as the street start to converge, I caught an aromatic waft of freshly brewed coffee. I smiled to myself, knowing that I've reached what used to be famously known as the capuccino strip.
It was still as it used to be, a bustling place with many cafes. It was the liveliest street in town, with people enjoying a cup of coffee and sharing their latest gossip, or catching up with their friends.
I didn't stop to soak in the atmosphere, I had something more important to do.
As I reached the end of the street, I hastily followed the path I had been so familiar with, the path which was so vivid in my memories. My feet moved with no hesitation, it knew the way. I broke into a run, and as turn the corner by the old church, I saw it. There it was not too far off, the familiar stone pavement, beautiful cobblestone walls, the exquisite french windows. I eased my pace, and as I slowly made my way through the gate, I was overcome with feelings and memories. I stood on the pavement and look up at the house. One of the windows on the upper floors opened, and two faces appeared, both with equally astonished yet delighted expressions.
I beamed at the slightly lined faces which are undeniably familiar, and said "I'm home."