The other day, Cyclone and I "decided" to walk the opposite way of how we usually go. This time towards Young Street. We passed Langside (gang-side langside some people call it) and I thought about the friends we have living there. One mom just told me her kids had trick or treated down their street and had a great time talking to neighbors and bringing some loot. I inwardly cheered, not for the extra candy they got, but for a all-round good time they had on a street with a bad reputation. As we turned onto Young Street we passed by a lady, obviously waiting for "tricks" (not treats). As we had come up, she looked like a teen but closer, I saw the extra make-up that covered a thin, middle aged lady's face. Worn and hard, such a contrast with the way she was literally skipping a few steps and doing little twirls to gain attention. It was like those antelope in Africa that jump up high when lions are around to show off a little that they are strong and quick, and would be hard to take down. One "lion", a guy in a back pack slowed down and asked when they could meet, she told them she would be waiting there till he got back. All this as the 3-4 min it took to walk up and pass by!
So down we went on Young Street, passing by the house of a local Chin (Myanmar) pastor and on towards the house we had rented just 7 months ago. The Bed Bug house. Lots of memories there, both good and bad. I wondered if there were people living there now, and if the bed bugs were gone. Housing here is at a premium and I wouldn't be surprised if people just put up with the little beasts just to have a place to stay. Anyways, I thank God for the safe and homey place we live now. Our walk concluded with walking past the overflowing garbage bins in the back alley and back home. As I opened our wooden gate, I noticed the leaves need raking and the yard prepared for winter, letting Cyclone off her leash I sighed....just another day in the neighborhood.
No comments:
Post a Comment