We were at the Paris Agricultural Fair where you get to see thousands of livestock animals, farmers and sample fresh farm products which include cheese, wine, foie gras and escargots.
This event is held annually and it is the most popular fair in Paris. It is a rare chance for urban kids, who grow up in weary tiny apartments and overcrowded metro car, to make contacts with farm animals and farming techniques.
We sampled so much food, wine and juices that our tummies hurt. Then we danced to the lively music of Martinique. Audience crowding around the live band, dancing and swaying to the beat of the music. Drunk by the music in broad day light. And of course Mal had to be on his toes with such lively music. He had to be right in front of the crowd, right in front of the stage where the band performed, shaking his bom bom.
Somehow, I get the impression that this island in the eastern Carribean sea is a happy place to live in. The music, the people, a resort island which Singapore never was and perhaps, never will be.
Admist the dancing, the people started distributing juices. Mal wanted to get some so I let him do so. About 1/2 a mintue or so after Mal moved away, the crowd started to move as well. Everyone was swooning towards the drink area and I realised that I had lost sight of Mal.
I shouted at my husband, I pushed at the crowd then shouting at my husband again to stay where he was in case Malcolm was there.
I barged onto the stage, hoping to get a better view. The people on stage asked me why and I just signaled to them Mal’s height, my frantic way of telling them that I AM LOOKING FOR MY CHILD! I was close to grabbing the microphone and shouting into it when I decided to run around some more.
I knew he was somewhere around for we just lost sight of him for a while. But everyone was so tall and huge and my boy was so little and there was no way I could see him.
Maybe someone had taken him
Maybe he panicked when he couldn’t find us and started running away.
My mind was swarmed with crazy thoughts.
I was a wreck, in total distress.
Then I saw my husband’s head again, popping out from the crowd. He caught sight of me and from the distance, I was searching through his face for an answer.
‘You have found him ?’
‘Mal is with you ?’
‘No, you didn’t ?’
And when I finally got nearer and lowered my eyes
I saw my little, yet not so little boy clutching onto daddy’s hand.
He didn’t look half as shakened
And the first thing he said was
‘I COULDN’T GET THE ORANGE JUICE!!!’
I guess he didn’t really think he had lost us
and he insisted on staying on for more music.
Note : I remember how I wish that someone could invent some kind of toddler/kid tracker, maybe something like a GPS where parents can track where their toddlers are so that they will never lose them in busy shopping malls or supermarkets!
That would be a very creative invention but the technology would be expensive for the first few years … But indeed it’s a good idea.
Rachel : hmm…and it makes me wonder…someone should have thought of it
hahah… he was just pissed he couldn’t get the orange juice! but i do understand how u felt. Deshane got lost when he was barely 2, but that was in Singapore, so it was still not that bad. Ariel got lost at Disneyland last year… scary, but at least it’s Disneyland, the service is gd, they’re connected with walkie-talkies… i can’t imagine what could have happened if they were lost somewhere else.. but that idea of the tracker… i think there are something like that in the market but guess it’s not marketed that well eh? something u could explore on?
hehe…..
Rachel : so scary!
My heart pounding so hard as i read cos i understand ur anxiety as i would if in the same situation. Glad he’s okie
Rachel : hey ailing, thanks! will email u soon! cos I m out of fb
It is indeed freaking to lose a child in a crowd! I hope I don’t have to experience this!
Rachel : yeah, hope you never have to experience this!
scary!!! It seems that he was lost for several minutes the way you wrote this.
Rachel : hi thefarmerfiles, yes I only lost him for a few minutes…maybe only 1 or 2 but trust me, it’s enough, can’t imagine any longer.
I saw this Paris Agricultural Fair in the French news couple of days ago, they reported that nearly 700,000 people visited that place! (correct me if I am wrong!)How I wish to be there too
Glad that you found back your son, such a scary experience!
Rachel : hey HN, you are rite about the people attending but it was spread over 2 weeks or maybe more. Maybe can consider visiting next year and I think 1 day is not enough to finish everything.
Oh my! I had to speed read this post just to make sure that Malcolm was ok. Cannot imagine how horrifying it was for u when he could not be found for that moment while. Sure reminds me never to take eyes off the little one when we go out, and never for granted that Spore is a safe place.
Rachel : yeah, it was not a nice experience ! definitely a good idea to keep your eyes on the little one esp when they first learn to walk.
Rachel dear…
did you know that I lost my Binbin before?
In Jurong Point Shopping Centre..
Tears still fall when I think of that incident…like now.
I know how you feel. Trust me. I really know….
I’m glad you found him.
*big hugs*
Rachel : I m glad he was found! *hugs* to u too
Omigosh, I think I would have died and gone to heaven!
I hope you will never have to go through that again!
hi rachel
u have a lovely blog here! thanks for dropping by my blog. Will add urs to my blog, will love to follow ur stories.
Have u heard of a safety harness? u can actually strap ur child close to u, esp in crowded places like these, just for a peace of mind.
U have one child, Malcom?
Nice meeting ya!
he is coming 5 year old now.
Rachel : hi Kristie, thanks for the recommendation. Yes Malcolm is my only boy