Went for a very special training course -- DIALOGUE IN THE DARK as part of my work requirement at ngee ann polytechnic today. In total darkness, participants rely on blind guides to navigate into an area of total darkness. The sudden withdrawal of eyesight means you have to rely on your fellow groupmates to venture into an unfamiliar area. As part of the Dialogue in the Dark experience, we spent an hour in a pitch-black, soundproof surroundings, led by visually-impaired guides in small groups through a “park”, an “ethnic street”, a “boat ride” and a “bar”. A very Singapore experience of being a 'blind' I would say. You never know what to expect next in this tour.

Afterthoughts:
Always wondered how it is when a person can't see. Though there are always blindfolding games played during camp, you would normally have the urge to 'play foul' by letting some light in. This awesome, out-of-the world experience, creates a space, you can't even play cheat because nobody inside (including the guide) can see. For the first time, I learn to decipher words by touching, take a boat in the dark, cross the road without knowing whether it is the green man flashing. I was most amazed by my ability to write legibly in the dark on a postcard the following message: "You know it when in the dark, it brings you to where your heart wants to take you." All the daily life experience, not taken seriously or appreciated by people, feels very exciting inside.

Remember from the song 《你是我的眼》, there was the following line:
人们说的天空蓝，是我记忆中那朵白云背后的蓝天

The first time I heard this line, there were tears in my eyes. Everything, when you can't use normal sight to see, have to be learnt through the more indirect senses. It is only though such difficult ways, you truely appreciate the many things in life that you take for granted.

Side note: On my way home, I decide to take a slow walk from ngee ann poly back. It was about 5 bus stops away but I always liked taking time for strolls. It helps you to take small steps, slowly but surely to your destination. Just like in life, happiness is when I know I am moving towards where I want to be :)