Rarely Rally

Dad walked in some time this week and said in a grave grave tone- "you've gotta do me this big favour". i looked at him, puzzled- waiting for a huge arrow to come flying my way. "This saturday, you know where you should cast your vote..." came the reply.

The heat is on, the dominating conversation topic at every dinner table, on the airwaves, and even casual chats among friends. It's polling day this weekend! 6 May 2006- historical moment, mark your calendars. Things have never been this exciting for this country- where i say politics is dead. And so not to miss out the fun, went for the rally last night with mum and dad. And it's been an experience all right. And mark my words, do not expect a discourse on the content here- you have that enough on the papers & the telly. i am just recording MY experience & thoughts.

We had not the slightest clue where the rally exactly is. Herd instinct compelled us to park along the MRT tracks where a long line of cars parked along the double yellow line. (Heh, surely they cannot be thinking of issuing summons now :p) And then beginning our trek to hunt for the stage. It was a 30min search, asking passer-bys, trying to listen out for sounds, walking through car parks & block of flats not knowing what lies beyond- Singapore has never been this exciting. The heartlands came alive for me that night- flags, lights, eager faces and mum holding my hand. Felt like a little girl again.

And for that walk, i wondered if this is what it's like when people followed Jesus everywhere during His time. People paving their ways to catch a glimpse of Him, to listen to His teaching, walking & following the crowds hoping that it'll lead them to Him. It was exciting all right.

The stage was really far away and there were so so many people! Uncles in their shorts and shirts, Yuppies in their business attire, Aunties bringing chairs & fans, Children crowding round much to the delight of the ice-cream man. And even from the neighbouring blocks, people lined the corridors to listen to the rally. A man struck up a conversation with his neighbour. "I've been here for 60 years, you?" "Must give the opposition a voice, must not let them dominate the Parliament" Then some comment came from the speaker and the crowds cheered. People waved their flags and grinned at one another.

i stood there looking at the faces of the people, and wondered how many among these eager faces would actually not give way to pragmatism this weekend. The cheers came again. And for one moment, i was convinced that the islanders are slowly waking up and the dawn of a new generation is emerging. Rarely rally- i am glad i went. i got to see a side of my country i never saw, and i am slowly believing that politics might just be alive- here.