The art of leaving notes (Singapore)

The Indomie that I got for my lunch near Singapore’s Arab Street was a good companion for the short stories book that I bought in Jakarta a few weeks back. I find short fiction a great help in understanding a city.

The book is a collection of short stories set in Jakarta. I found a note from the booksellers hiding in the book. I like it when people leave handwritten notes for me to find.

A decade back, at a backpacker hostel not too far from this Indonesian café, I spent late one night talking to another traveler. The next morning when I woke up, the traveler was gone but there was a note waiting for me.

The story of my life has been making friends with or falling in love with strangers in random cities and tiny chances of me meeting them again.

A couple of years back a shy person in Vietnam contacted me to ask about Burma. It was her first trip overseas. I assured her that Burma is a friendly place and connected her to a friend over there. Just before covid, I received a note from her from Canada.

Mail a note, or leave a note for someone. They will treasure it for the longest time.