The 23rd Episode : Turtle at a resting place
[July, 1988 Singapore]
It was hot even in the night on arrival yesterday, so no need to say in the day time. At one degree north latitude, the sun was in north over our heads that made shadow to south. Never seen the shadows in south.
A resting place could be seen by the street and dropped in. It had no doors and some long tables were put in order like a university canteen. Shops were on the wall side around the tables. The roof looked made with wooden boards. It was a simple building. I looked for something to drink if they have interesting one, and found curious drink. Astonished!
Drink like orange juice was sometimes sold in front of the entrance of super market in 1960-70’s Japan. Drink was in a machine like a current water server. Transparent vessel was on the top and drink was spouting in it like a fountain. The machine I found had the transparent part in about 24-25 inches high and some nebulous liquid was in it. Some black objects were moving up and down.
A signboard was hanging over the machine saying “Turtle Soup” or “Turtle Juice”. I’m sorry but I don’t remember well as it was so curious and weird. Whaaaat??? Turtle??? I moved closer to have recognised the black objects were approx. 2-inch big turtles. They were not swimming but just going up and down in the boiling soup or juice. Hot drink in a hot place!? Lye looked thing was floating unsteadily on the liquid.
Ahhh, I had got low-spirited suddenly. I was looking for an interesting topic to talk about for a souvenir, but I could have no courage to take it. I had coke and dispersed hurriedly.
