UNIT10

A Solitary Quest

From my suite of rooms

atop the Holiday Inn

I surveyed the narrow alleys below me.

Only yesterday had I left

my frantic North American life behind,

to avail myself of an opportunity

to travel to China.

I wished to spend time

researching material for my thesis

pertaining to Eastern religions.

The hotel was in close proximity

to the heart of the old downtown.

Innumerable activities were happening below me.

People surged along the street sometimes

stopping to bargain with street vendors.

Cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, oranges

and grapes were heaped on hand carts.

The variety of fruit available

provided a virtual feast for the eyes.

Deliverymen jogged along

pulling enormous loads of cardboard.

To a Westerner's eyes cars merged

unbelievably without incident.

It appeared to be a dubious process

to negotiate the traffic

and even cross the street.

However, rather than lounging indoors,

I decided to venture outside

to explore the colorful world below.

I was interested in

locating a church to attend,

as today was Sunday.

On the street I made tentative enquiries

about locating a Christian chapel.

At times the congestion of people

hampered my progress.

Stares from passers-by made me feel conspicuous.

The weather was hot and humid

and there was some possibility of a typhoon

reaching the city later in the day.

After several false leads

I found myself standing

in front of a very old Christian Church,

established by missionaries during the last dynasty

and at the beginning of the last century.

With the onset of a light sprinkle,

I made a hasty retreat to shelter

in the doorway of the church.

The familiar refrain of well-known hymns

rang out within the church.

I felt drawn inside to

join the fellowship in a foreign land.

Even though our languages differed,

my gracious hosts nonetheless,

made room for me,

and made me feel welcome.