Last night, after alighting from my train at Lakeside mrt station, I made a decision to walk home (it's a long twenty minute brisk-walk to my block) because I thought I needed the exercise... Those familiar with this area would know that there is a stretch of pavement running from the station to the nearby canal, which is popular with those like-minded individuals who would rather walk down to the Taman Jurong estate rather than take the bus feeder service.
The narrow pavement isn't particularly well-lit at night, but because it isn't covered, with no dense shrubbery or undergrowth flanking it -- just a wide expanse of grass on either side -- it is considered to be pretty safe, especially since there are pedestrians using it at almost all times of the day. Hence, I was practically strolling along this walkway last night, with a jiwang malay song blasting in my earphones, when I narrowly missed stepping onto a long piece of black rubber tubing lying on the extreme side of the lane. Or so that was what I thought it was... I managed to side-step the thing but a second later, when I glanced at it again, it actually moved!! It was a SNAKE!
It was probably not more than a meter long and as thick as two of my pinkies put-together, but the dim lighting did not make it's scaly skin immediately noticeable. Therefore I wasn't sure, initially, if it was just a figment of my hyperactive imagination. However, the shocked expressions and the rapid side-stepping of those walking behind me, proved that what I saw was indeed something tangible and real.
I didn't hang around to see if the snake managed to bite anyone or if its presence was notified to station officials; as far as I can see, everyone else who noticed the snake too just went about their business of heading home without a second thought. Kalau ular tu kobra atau jenis viper, barulah agaknyer havok sikit... tapi agaknyer, kalau gitu, aku pon dah mampos akibat digigit ular yang berbisa... :p
Isn't this the perfect example of a typical Singaporean trait? -- As long as it doesn't bother me, it isn't any of my business!
PS: Why is it that such "happenings" always happen when I'm not carrying my digicam??? It's quite maddening!!
