I used to spend years working in the central business district. I know her every smell. I observe her every change. The people. Her vibes. The fond memories. The not so fond memories. CBD is a magical place whereby you think you have spent a year in it but in fact, you are one decade older. It is a place that could suck the life force out of you. Or from a different angle, you may have poured every ounce of your energy into it. The same old routine. That traffic light. Red, green, countdown to red, green, countdown to red. The same route you take when the sun is beating down onto you. That different route you take when the sky is raining cats and dogs. Promoters. Loud music during lunch hours. Smokers. Dust bin on fire. Old man handing out pamphlets of all sorts to zombified office workers. The same old man at the same traffic light 10 years later. The same old man at the same traffic light 20 years later. He sure doesn’t seem to have got himself a promotion. Looking at him looking at me, he must have seen the same face walking down the street. 10 years later, 20 years later, the same old me. Also not having much of a promotion.
And etc.
At least that is how I felt about central business district.
For the last few years, I have been exiled to a place far away from town. Right next to the airport. The air is fresher (except the time when Indonesia was on fire). The grass is green and plentiful. If I am lucky, I may see a butterfly or two shuttling between the bushes. One plane flies across two buildings as it lands. Another plane flies by. My wife often teases me that I work in a suburb. I did not think that I would be happy in the ‘suburb’. But I have grown to like this unique atmosphere of serenity. A place whereby you don’t get to see that many cars. Not that many people. There too are vibes from where I work. Just a different kind.
This month I am being called back to town and am requested to sit in CBD, in preparation of a potential relocation. I am thrilled by the possibility of an opportunity. People are better dressed there. Food, there are plenty of choices. Healthier choices. There is even a new underground station opened right next to my office in town. I met up with old friends today. The street looks different. New buildings. New parks. I was excited by what I saw so much so that my friend Robert could not help but said, “That building has been here for all this while.” Not in my book. But I kept quiet soaking all in.
It is funny how time apart makes the heart grow fonder.
I took this picture using my phone during sunset at the CBD. Ahead was a huge sun. Much bigger than what this photo depicts it to be. Moral of the story? You can read all about something. Or see the picture, watch the video. Nothing beats experiencing it first hand.