Such fast-closing dusk could only be related to the equator. The withdrawal of light is not rapid, unlike the brevity of the blush of colour which can vanish as if by devious theft. Six or seven minutes more than enough to drain the whole of the low stretch, leaving the horizon grey bleached as if it had never been. Almost invariably violet and lavender the predominant tones, sometimes deepening to scarlet and magenta; apricot tinged occasionally and minor flushes of soft, edible blue. The common Southern azure has never appeared here over the equator in thirty two months of observation. When there is some blue it is usually a pale smoky grey shade hardly worthy of the name. (A number of years ago a recent Chinese immigrant housemate had remarked on her surprise at the Southern sky matching the photographic advertisement. The realization had seemed not possible.) Starless, mediocre blue and the briefest snatches of sun blaze at day’s end. On the equator the sighting of the new moon low on the horizon is likewise problematic more often than not. Therefore the recourse to the mathematical measure of the cycle, charted by the Georgetown, Penang physicist, Mr. Mohammad Ilyas, a former Adelaide Uni man, in order to overcome confusion for festivals of the lunar calendar. Traditionalists however continue to resist and prefer the naked eye observation. (The last two years the chief Islamic Council of Indonesia canceled the scheduled onset of Ramadan at the last moment because of the absence of visual confirmation. Science and religion still in tension as in the days of yore.) Geylang Road runs more or less true east - west, nightly ringside seats to the evening shows at the Mr.Teh Tarik and Sri Geylang Cafe tables for the price of a teh.
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