You will never know...

I am not very musical.

In fact, far from anything musical. So, when I volunteered to be the drummer in one of the dragon boat race competition in HK, in which Societe Generale was participating (I enrolled for being a paddler, but since there were already competent participants, I was asked if I would be a drummer), I actually surprised myself...a bit apprehensive as it meant drumming on a narrow dragon boat in the sea. Curiosity and a strange thrill of doing something I have never done before got the better of me...and I took the plunge.

..It seems my gut-feel to do it, was right...otherwise, I would have missed this wonderful experience. On Sunday, the morning sun was throwing fierce glances on the sea in Deep Water Bay in Hong Kong, the beach was crowded with a number of dragon boaters and air was filled with announcements and music. Amidst this excitement, when we boarded the dragon boat (the team was called SG Devils and we all had Red T-Shirts and bandanas) and I took my seat on a narrow chair perched high on the narrow dragon boat, (it's difficult to describe the feeling), I felt as if I am in a different world. When the boat was paddled into the water by my SG colleagues, the feeling was that of freedom and liberation with nothing holding one back. The drum, which I was beating with the sticks to synchronise with the paddling of the rowers, created delicious music in the sea. Through the 500 meters of the race, the beating of the drum went faster and faster to match the enthusiasm of the paddlers. For me, I had the view of all the paddlers and it was fun to be literally on the top with the full view of synchronised paddling and the concentrated efforts of the paddlers...and also the view of vast expanse of the tranquil sea and sometimes slightly wavy sea. The rocking of the boat (because of the speed) made the race all the more thrilling, and I was hoping I don't fall off in water (there were no seat belts). I was the drummer for 2 races and I enjoyed every bit of it (even though my upper arms are now aching a bit), and am sure will not forget this experience in a hurry.

The experience did leave me with this thought...never assume that you can't do some things in life. If you don't try new things, you will never know what you are missing!!