It was another routine Sunday in Phuket. A bunch of eager tourists all excited to see the pristine, picturesque Phi Phi islands set off on a speed boat. The demographics of the boat were very interesting - a group that was prefect for a unity in diversity photograph- Indians, Thai, Chinese, French, Australian, Danish and Mexican. The journey began and so did the onslaught of the rain gods. They beat down mercilessly on the boat and the boat continued its tryst with staying on top of the waves that seemed to be further strengthened by the high tide. The captain after a valiant 20 mins made a detour and docked at a nearby island for shelter and more importantly safety. The residents of the island swung into action - put out the warmers, brought out some tea and coffee and roasted some hot corn for the emotionally and mentally drained tourists. " Eat today, pay tomorrow" they reassured the tourists when they protested saying their belongings were in the boat locker and could not pay for them right away.After a stopover of an hour, the captain declared that we should head back as there was an emergency declared in the sea and it was no longer safe to get any further. En route back, no one spoke a word. The fear was writ on every face, a prayer on every lip. A few broke down as the sea was merciless with the rains competing closely in its threats. But what happened after was heartwarming, the Chinese family began to sing, a lot of them held hands, stayed close to each other, speaking to each other in a language that the other wouldnt even understand but still there was a comfort and a camaraderie. And finally when the boat touched shore , an exhausted, relieved and yet a wiser for life group stepped out. I salute this spirit- the spirit where words didnt matter, actions and silences spoke loud, where human emotion amalgamated a otherwise very diverse group, I salute the spirit of life!!
