In Two Places at the Same Time
INDONESIA | Thursday, 15 May 2014 | Views [210] | Scholarship Entry
Life is walking on roads I’ve never walked on,
Taking the bigger rides in life; risking different turns;
To spend my life travelling to places I’ve never been,
Touching other people’s lives by the power of my pen...
“How did I end up here?” The question popped up in my head as soon as I reached Soekarno Hatta airport. I never thought it could be possible to be in two places at the same time.
A mission trip to Indonesia paved the way for me to travel and share the Philippine culture to Indonesians. With my interesting stories about our country and with the powerful visual presentation, together, we traveled to the Philippines - to its undulating valleys, mist-filled mountains, azure waters, verdant jungles, pristine waterfalls, mystical caves, vast agricultural lands, to its different people living in harmony; content with the simple life and happy to enjoy the bounty of nature.
One of the most amazing experiences I had is getting the chance to visit Taman Mini.The park is a synopsis of Indonesian culture, with virtually all aspects of daily life in Indonesia's provinces encapsulated in separate pavilions with the collections of Indonesian architecture, clothing, dances and traditions. The pavilions are supplemented with ornaments and motifs from each territory.
The first experience I had was the cable car ride .I closed my eyes as the cool wind touched my cheek. It was a feeling of complete joy, peace and of contentment. Finally! I conquered my fear of heights!I realized that fear has played a very important role in my growth as a person. I felt the fear but I did it anyway. Had I allowed myself to surrender to my fears, I could have missed the chance of exploring its beauty.
Indonesia also offers a famous bird park which is a sight to behold, it is a sanctuary of birds in different species.
My beautiful journey didn’t end there. I met an interesting man named Arni at the airport before flying back to the Philippines. He is a Filipino working as a US Navy for 20 years in San Diego California. I had a brief encounter with this man but he left a very important lesson. He reminded me to live my life to the fullest while I am still young; to always look at the brighter side of life despite the challenges and not to hold on to past regrets.
My journey was fun, exciting, and awesome beyond words! I can’t wait to take life's twists and turns as my pen takes me to places; following my dream until the end of the rainbow, way beyond the pot of gold.
Tags: 2014 Travel Writing Scholarship - Euro Roadtrip
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