When I was a kid in high school studying geography under the
stern yet meticulous guidance of Roma Sohi Ma’m, I recall a class that was
about the tropical climate of people living on the Equator. Apart from all that
she told us, one thing that stood out was the fact that there were no seasonal
changes on the Equator and it rained pretty much everyday at 4 in the evening,
termed the 4 o’clock rain. Now, I know better, after having lived at 1oN
for the past 3 yrs, and having experienced the unending monotony of a tropical
climate with bouts of rain and thunder showers, and stuck between 24-34oC
throughout the year, and a relative humidity of an average 90% to top it up!!
Therefore, whenever I get a chance to escape the monotony of
Singapore’s climate and its plain
topography, I either head to Cameron highlands or the very least
Jamshedpur, where amidst mountains and wisps of cold fog, I experience what
according to me is sheer joy-the beauty of seasons. And wherein so many people
I know hate winter, I adore it! The very memory of winter evokes visions -of
being wrapped up in layers of woolies, colorful stoles,mufflers and scarves,
boots and snug gloves, of sunset in the afternoon and chilly evenings redolent
of woodsmoke emanating from bonfires,
hot soup and tasty dishes cooked with the freshest of the local winter produce,
gajar halwa with lots of nuts and playing badminton under streetlights, and
having a garden bursting with the blooming colors of chrysanthemums, dahlias ,
marigolds and orchids. Oh! And to imagine that no technology can ever bring
winter to Singapore! What a loss!!
This winter, I was in Jamshedpur with my parents. Here’s a
look at mom’s garden with a myriad of blooms! Who wouldn’t be envious as well
as nostalgic for them??
Oh.....that feeling of beholding your garden full of winter blooms!! And see the sun set in the afternoon and feel in chill in the air. How I miss all that!!
