The Happy Place

From outside to inside

- Ms. Simone Preuss

Chirping birds, palm trees, the gentle sound of the waves and the occasional sighting of a kingfisher - that is my current happy place, sitting on the yoga mat in my society's garden every morning.

In fact, it is so idyllic that I find myself watching the flora and fauna, mesmerized, more often than not, taking a generous break in my morning routine. I love listening to the boisterous cackling of the mynas, teasing each other and usually appearing in droves. Then there's the red-vented bulbul, a little shier, appearing alone or in pairs. Its black, short crest gives it the appearance of wearing a cap or a crew cut, which never fails to amuse me.

The tiny warbler is one of my favourites, unassumingly sitting on the fence or amid the low-hanging branches of a bush, before breaking out into a cheerful song, the volume of which is astounding given its small size.

There are bigger creatures too - cats mainly - that take a leisurely stroll across the garden before jumping up on the boundary wall and disappearing. Once, three macaques made a rare appearance, stopping me in my tracks as they sauntered across the lawn, gathering hibiscus flowers to suck from the bushes and stealing my coconut with its refreshing water.

Dogs too come to the fence, stray and leashed ones, curiously sniffing and marking their territory.