fancy a midnight walk?

It was a Saturday night. Just gone 10 and with the electric atmosphere buzzing around everyone. You can feel something exciting was going to happen. People dressed up as the old communist locals, or as characters from computer games, it seemed more like a comic convention rather than a charity walk. That's right, a charity walk, but it felt more like a party. That's one of the things that amazed me. I couldn't believe the amount of people participating, not only that but the atmosphere there was brilliant. To be honest, I never would have heard of the Moonwalker charity walk if it wasn't for my ever active girlfriend. Moonwalkers wad organised by Orbit, to help those with sight problems all over three world.

I have to admit I ashamed don't do more charity work than I want. So when the opportunity for something so simple as a walk came up, I couldn't refuse. I mean how hard can it be? Sure it was 20km, but hey it was just a walk. I can walk forever.

Wh

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The night started well, everyone was in the mood. It felt good. because of the amount of people, starting times had to be 5-10 minutes apart to avoid overcrowding. everyone was excited. we finally started our walk at about 11. The pace was good and slow. We followed each other like a class outing. chatting and enjoying the company we were in, not knowing what to expect later. After the first km, we reached a 7-11 store and people were already building up on energy and having a mid-night snack. After the 2nd km, we were. cheered by enthusiastic orbit volunteers. it was about midnight and already people were quietening down.5kms later. the thought that entered my mind was, "that was only 5kms after all this time???" It dawned on me that the night was going to be LONG. We reached our first checkpoint (in which there was 5) and there was a small relief, We decided to move on and trudge to our 2nd. Walking, how hard could it be? There was a section of the route that required us to wear blindfold and be led by our partner for a certain distance, and then we would swap. It was strange to say the least. We obviously wouldn't know how we make up for losing a sense, but it did make us think. So many things we take for granted, we don't know how important or how hard it is to live without it. After approaching our 2nd checkpoint, we decided we needed a rest. Funny how we think something is simple until you have done it. By the time we were half way there, the spirit seemed to have picked up. Everyone was feeling perked up again. My legs at this stage was getting stiff. We countdown the kms from here, and it was long. I wound go too much into it, just say, by the time we finished, my body was asleep, my legs tired, my feet saw and my mind confused as to how hard it became. We were ready to sleep anywhere. After everything, I had to ask myselff, would I do this again next year. YES!!, without a doubt. Why? because for something so simple for charity, why not? We are so lucky to be fully abled that we don't realise how bad or unlucky it can be for others. Hell, how much is next year going to be different? It's only walking. How hard can it be?

Happy in Japan

Recently I went to Japan. It was a long planned trip (my friend doing all the planning. But who am I to stand in the way of someone so determined.) When it comes to holidays, I usually don't planning so much so far ahead. It doesn't mean I don't plan, I just don't plan 6 months ahead. I'm not complaining, far from it. Just tell where to go and I'm happy. So this time we, (being. My friend, my girlfriend and I) went to the north of Japan, away from the local tourist places and aimed for the local areas. This meant no English and no picture pointing, pure Japanese. The place we went to was a place called Aomori. Gorgeous scenery but quite far from Tokyo. The weather was cool and dry. Our holiday lasted 7 days. I'm not going to go into each day as that would take too long and you, the reader would get tedious (I probably would just give up writing,anyway) but everytime I go to Japan, I am always amazed by the devotion and dedication to the health of their society, the cleaness and politeness of the people. no matter whether its the city or local small town, the response is the same. We visited lots of places, that was beauty in scenery and tasted the local delicacies available. The 7 days seemed like 3 days. There was a lot travelling but it was worth it. When it came to leaving we were quite reluctant but had no choice. Everytime I get back home, the comparisons I make are just too obvious, the people and the cleaness. It always seems like I have got off being high and have fallen back to earth. I suppose Japan is great and I would be satisfied with Japan all my life, but I doubt if I could find a better dim sum place or a place that serves curry fishballs the way Hong Kong does. Home indeed is home.

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