As I listened to the “guide” give the
pre-recorded tourist speech about the Blackheads building in my cheap, white
headphones hanging from the ceiling, a little old lady caught my attention. She
was very unassuming, and for the passing glance could have been just anyone. However,
with the myriad of tourists wandering around the square with their cameras and
groups and custom “tourist attire” (read: backpack, bum-bag and sunburn), I was
surprised at how this lady was different. She was sitting at the base of the
statue (which the “guide” informed us was a replica from 2000, the original
being in some church building somewhere). At first I wondered what was going
on. She just sat there with her head tilted slightly forward. I think she was
dozing as a bit later she readjusted herself and kind of leaned into the statute.
Even from a distance I could tell her clothes were unkempt and I figured she was
probably not a tourist. The deep wrinkles in her face and her worn hands made
me think that her life had probably not been easy. And knowing a little about
the history of the nation, I wondered what her story was? And I wondered what
her life was like now. Was she simply enjoying the sunshine, or was she sitting
at the base of the statue because that was what she did every day? Does she
have family and friends who know and love her?
The little green guided tour bus (which felt
more like a toy bus with open sides) soon started chugging away again, with the
pre-recorded voice reeling off numerous facts about the different streets and
alleys we drove through… most of it I can’t remember, but seeing this little
lady at the base of the statue remains with me. And I wonder, just wonder, if
noticing her is part of connecting with God’s heart for this city?