Adjusting back to my normality was not automatic and I found
myself feeling exhausted with some flu like symptoms. One evening as I was
feeling rather puny I decided to take a hot bath. A few pleasant bath salts in
the water, soft lighting and soothing sounds on the radio were a guarantee for
a rejuvenating soak. I settled into the steaming tub, delighted with myself for
correctly diagnosing my ailments and discovering the perfect remedy. As
dictated by the perfect environment I gently dozed off into a refreshing
slumber.
It was dark, yet there were faint rays of light ahead
peeking through a doorway. I maneuvered cautiously along a long narrow walkway,
eyes fixed ahead toward my destination. My hand steadied myself as it dragged
along the cold stone wall to my right. As I neared the end of the path the
light had increased to the point I was able to see my surroundings, I was back
at Angkor Wat; the mysterious temple ruins of Cambodia.
My choice in music and bath scents unconsciously carried
me through memories of my visit to this famed location and the awe and splendor of
it rushed back to mind. It was dusk, just as it was the first time I visited
the mammoth temple. Monkeys could be heard playfully calling to each other in
the distance and the huge spires of the center complex were alive with the
chatter of birds settling in for the night. I was alone except for the ambient
sounds of the wildlife. An eerie hush came upon the place as the last fading
rays of the sun began to dissipate beyond the horizon. I stood in silence for a
moment soaking in the sensation of reliving the event.
After a reflective moment of gratitude I decided to move onward
and passed through the open doorway and ran smack dab into the back of a large
African American guy. He was standing on the edge of a ledge looking out at the
expanse. There was nothing unusual about him except for his being out of place
in my dream and his sudden appearance gave me quite a start. I let out an
uncontrollable shriek. One thing that every sensible person knows is not to
walk up behind someone else and let out a startling screech. Much less when
that individual is standing on a 30 ft wall with no rails and even doubly so
when they believe they are alone at a spooky and mysterious ruin at sundown.
The man did what any person would have done in such a situation. He leaped into
the air in complete terror and right off the wall into the courtyard far below.
I was obviously shocked and dismayed by my irresponsible reaction and horrified
at his. I wasn’t able to hear everything the man snarled but after a few
recognizable expletives he ended his sentence with “kill you” and shot off around
the corner headed towards the stairs. My immediate thought was to run but the
scenario was obviously unintentional. Reason can be a powerful ally; certainly
he would be calm enough after racing back to my location after having just
survived his 30 ft. near death plunge to listen to reason. So I made my decision
– I ran like hell.
I jolted awake. There I was, stewing in my soup of smelling
salts and sweat, safe and sound back in America with no fear of anyone on their
way to rip my innards out. I laughed so hard I almost punctured a lung.
No comments:
Post a Comment