A Blast, A Tow & A Supper

This evening was an eventful one for us. Maybe I'm still in shock, or perhaps I'm just too tired from all the excitement. We decided to go over the causeway for a spin this afternoon to avoid the peak hour jam. Going in was fine. It was the coming out that was the problem. After a 30mins slow move towards the Singapore Custom....

I witness a Blast! Coming out from my trusty Proton. The loud unmistaken blasting sound came from the burst of a pipe, steam started to escape from the bonnet. I quickly switched off my engine and turned off the lights by the time I got out of the car, the patrolling officer for the causeway was already there, making enquires what has happened. The driver of the car in my adjacent lane had lowered down his window and adviced me not to touch the bonnet. ( I thought that it would be good to let the car cool down....). A few other drivers also came out of their vehicle to investigate on the nature of the blast. Also, there was a gentlemen, Peter, who came forward to tell us that his car also broke down and offered to help us push our car behind his. Imagine all these people came forth within and offered help/advice all within a fraction of a sec.

I'm deeply impressed and more so, deeply touched. Yes, there is warmth and willingness to help amongst us Singaporeans.

In the next hour, we chatted with Peter while he was also waiting for his car to be towed by the tow-truck. We were also assisted by a police officer on duty to get us a tow-truck to tow us through the custom. (did you know that this service is FREE? but only goes to Woodlands Town Center ah) Not only did Peter helped us in pushing the car to the side while waiting for the tow-truck, he also offered his car mechanic to us. Without hesitation we took up his offer, because his mechanic was still working at 9pm, so he must be very hardworking man. Peter highly recommended him to us, telling us that he is an honest man. etc.

As we chatted with Peter, we were curious as to what was his livelihood because of his good naturedness and the bright glowing smile on his face. We had a few good laughs and he told us that he will never retire. He owns one of the biggest funeral service in asia and yet, to him, life is about service. Being of service to those around him, those in need. He made a perfect example of his belief by coming forth to offer us his help without hesitation.

For a quiet moment, I knew we were blessed by God's grace, to have met these great folks who offered great advice/help/service to total strangers like us. I'm sure they were God sent! Yes, God gives us obstacles, but always with aid, we are never alone in facing our obstacles or challengers. =D

We got the 2nd tow-truck (from the mechanic's shop) waiting for us right after we cross the custom, just as our proton was fitted with to the tow-truck the 2nd time, Blim & wifey called and offered to pick us up at the mechanic's shop and go for supper. All nicely timed without a second in between. Yes, we are thankful! Very grateful even. Because it was also raining, then it started pouring, you can imagine the drag.....

At the mechanic's shop, he was kindly explaining the procedures that he will take to give a systematic examination to the car to track the problem (I have never heard that from any mechanics before, they always just say, yah yah i'll do i'll do, call you later about the repairs...) This was the first time, a nice young man took the trouble to stay back in his workshop to wait for a new car to his workshop at 10+pm on a rainy night. He assured me that the repairs will not go beyond $300 in the worst case scenario which was a hugh relief.... Because I was expecting it to run into the thousands. Thank God! We have finally met a NICE, HONEST car mechanic! And he commented that he had very good confidence of my proton's engine, its a car that can keep going even for 25yrs!

4 hours after a blast, 2 tows, a supper, we are safely back home, with a full stomach and a new appreciation for life. :)