The logical reader reads what he wants to read

The believer sees beyond meaning

It has been more than a month since I was in Jakarta. It's been interesting to note people's reactions to my little jaunt. From remarks saying that I wasted my time in Jakarta praying, when I could have gone shopping, to someone asking me in all sincerity, "Oh, you like Sufi poetry?" when I said that I had attended a Sufi camp (I didn't know what else to describe it), right up to acquaintances wanting to know more about the course. What was even more odd was that a few of my Malay friends, hijabed and non, sniffed at the adventure and made snide remarks while my non-Malay friends and non-practising, yes, Muslim friends were delighted with the jaunt.

Mrs. Scott, whose dogs guest-starred in a previous article, repeatedly said, "Whatever you learned there, you keep on at it because I see changes in you. Good ones."

"Next think you know I can float in the air," I laughed.

"Aiyoh, that one a bit much lah!"