Hello again,
To continue where we left off last time, I received an e-mail in the morning that my second flight was moved to 7:55pm instead of 3:50pm, pff. I asked them at the airport if they could put me on an earlier flight, but that was the earliest flight. So that meant I would have 7hours at the KL airport.. I landed and flew from KLIA2, very new, very modern. There was lots of shopping, cafes, restaurants, etc. I Googled long layovers at that airport and found a blog which stated there was a movie lounge and also an AirAsia lounge (for a pretty low fee). And so I decided to go through customs. It turned out both were on the international part of the airport and not accessible for me, darnit... There was nothing near where I flew from, but luckily I found a computer with free wifi and so I got a few snacks and water an stationed myself there. It's where I wrote the blog I posted a few weeks ago (The big 3-0). And so it was actually a good thing because I finally had time to write again.
I then flew to Kuala Terrenganu where I arrived around 9pm. When they announced we were about to land, they said "And have a happy journey". After a 7hr layover for a 55min flight, all that came to mind was "f u Air Asia", which also made me laugh a bit.
I took a Grab car to my hostel, Grab took over Uber here (last May is what I heard) and is huge here. It saves a lot of money compared to taxis and is advertised everywhere. Upon arrival at my hostel, I walked up the stairs until it was blocked by a gate and a sign that said: Call this number for pin code and a basic mobile phone hanging on the side. It almost felt like the beginning of a Saw movie ^_^. The hostel was very nice, but again, there was nobody. Just signs and labels everywhere to tell what to do or what it was for (like Lamp, Fan, etc). The bed was very comfortable and the hostel was super clean, a big plus as I got ready for bed!
I set out to explore the city for a bit the next day. It's very conservative (muslim city) and apart from the Chinese, I was the only one not wearing a headskarf and I got quite a lot of stares. This isn't a place tourists stay long for, most people go here just as a stop before or after going to the islands. I decided not to. I walked through the city to check out some highlights and markets but it seemed as if I was walking through a 'fallen' city or a ghost town at times. A lot was closed or under construction. And what is funny, is that there are a lot of wifi spots throughout the city (not in bars or cafes, but just anywhere). So I was able to get a Grab again to go to Taman Tamadan Islam, a theme park full of down sized mosques from all over the world. However it soon turned out, I was the biggest attraction of all. There were lots of school kids visiting the park that day, looking, talking, saying hi, waving, asking to take pictures. There was one group of school girls that followed me to the back of one mosques, kind of creepy and asking for a photo, ok, thank you, bye bye.
I then made my way back, had dinner and bought an online bus ticket to go to Kota Bharu the next day. I had breakfast at a chinese place to have 'famous' chicken rice, because the other restaurants were full of people staring at me as I walked by. I then grabbed my stuff and took another Grab to the busstation. A local young guy from KL started talking to me, asking me questions, telling me about his family and two brothers who lived in America and told me I had an American face when I told him I was from The Netherlands.
The bus journey was great, might have been just what I needed. It was a 3:45hr busride and I was at ease. Listening to music while looking outside, doing my sudoku puzzles and let some of my thoughts wonder. I did feel a bit bad though. I was in this bus, which costs a few euros, to stay in a 5* hotel. And people getting off this bus in the middle of nowhere to go home or visit their families in pretty basic 'huts'. Just like when I once took a bus to Orlando to stay with my family, who left a day earlier, to stay in a pretty fancy hotel and I was in the bus with people that traveled for up to 24hrs to visit family.
I saw lots of things on the way to Kota Bharu but what caught my eyes the most were the signs/stalls for satay and cendol, two things I wanted but hadn't found in the places I stayed in and again, did not find in Kota Bharu later that day.
I decided after all the alarms I'd set, I needed a break, a pool, a room to myself (even though the other hostels hardly had any people checking in). And so, for the first time ever I stayed in a 5* hotel, with a pool and a batthub! The guy I met earlier had told me while we were waiting for the bus that an appartment near KL was really expensive, around 1200RM (which is about €240) and so I didn't dare tell him that I was about to stay in a hotel that would roughly cost me 500RM for two nights (about €100).
It was nice and relaxing, but again very conservative and so the women swim with all their clothing and headscarfs on. I have a tankini with shorts and so it doesn't show a lot but still. It took me a while before I felt comfortable enough to go in for a swim. But there weren't really any stares or anything and so I was glad that it seemed that it wasn't that unusual to them. I also noticed there were hardly any men at the pool, mostly women and children and after about 11am there was almost nobody there and I pretty much had the pool to myself :).
I had a book with me, Mans search for meaning, which is about nazi camps. And before I left Kuala Terrenganu, I remember being in the bed, covering myself with a blanket cause I was a bit chilly from the a/c, and read a passage on 9man having to lay sideways so they'd fit and only had 2blankets to share amongst them. And then thinking about myself and that I was about to take a 4hr bustrip to chill at a 5* hotel, that really put things in perspective. I also wanted to read it at the pool or when taking a bath, but it didn't seem like the right setting nor was I able to get into it with kids playing around.
I did notice that there was hardly any men, mostly women with kids. And the Jacuzzi had seperate times for women (10am-4pm) and men (7-10am and 4-7pm). One of the men that was there on the day I checked out, but stayed at the pool because my flight wasn't until 630pm, made me very uncomfortable. I was laying on a chair on the other side of the pool opposite to him, reading my book and when I looked up, this guy was sitting there, just staring my way. At first I didn't think much of it, but when I looked again and some time had passed, he was still staring, smoking, looking seriously. It gave me the creeps, I did stare back a few times, but he didn't flinch, and so eventually I decided to leave and sit in the lobby. I've never felt so uncomfortable, and because I didn't know if I'd insulted him or his culture or whatever the reason was. While I sat in the lobby, I saw him walk outside in the distance and walk to a car and leave. I felt relieved and I went back outside and not much later, other women and kids joined me. I was again able to relax before heading to the airport (by Grab of course) to fly to Penang :).
Byebye,
T.
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Did he just say Satay?!
My first trip as a 30-year old, backpacking through Malaysia. I only booked about a week before I left, a day after my birthday. I don't know why I waited this long, I just didn't feel like doing it sooner. Anyway, Dusseldorf to Bangkok, then Malaysia and fly back from Kuala Lumpur (KL). Didn't book anything in between. Like mentioned in a previous post, I wondered if it was going to be a different trip now that I was older, but other than this being a well needed trip, age had nothing to do with it. But I'll come back to that the upcoming blogs!
After an amazing flight (2) with Emirates, I landed in Bangkok (Bkk) for, what I believe to be, my 5th time. I flew here because I had still wanted to do a bikeride through Bkk and because if the weather in Malaysia was bad, I could easily fly elsewhere from here. My Dutch friend who works at an airline was also here the night I arrived and returned the moring after. So to make it easy to meet, and since I was arriving late in the evening, I stayed close to his hotel. We had some beers, the only ones I've had so far and said our goodbyes again.
I set my alarm for the next morning and after a short night, I was off Co van Kessel. I didn't want to do the bikeride there, since it was a Dutch company but it was a 3min walk from my hotel, so I decided to go anyway. Upon signing in, I noticed that the 10 or so people before me all wrote down 'Dutch' under nationality. I rolled my eyes and sighed quietly...this is exactly why I didn't want to go here haha. Anyways, we had little contact during the bike ride and mostly listened to the local guide and enjoyed the views, narrow alleys, local foods, etc. After that I went in for a nap, bought some water and fried chicken on the street and made my way to the local expressboat. I went till the last stop and back, took about 2hours, 30THB (less than €1). And I saw the city by day and night. After that I had a footmassage and headed to bed to again set my alarm.
A buddhist taxi took me to the airport, you probably wonder why I explicitely mention he was buddhist? The reason is that they believe in karma and doing good to receive good. I hailed down a few taxis before him and none of the wanted to drive me to the airport on the meter, because they could make more without it.
I decided to start in Sarawak, Borneo and fly to Kuching. I flew to KL in 60minutes and got foood (included in the price), nom nom. Unfortunately the flight was delayed and so I only had a 30min layover. I thought it would be a mirae if I'd make it to the next flight in time, and was also thinking about my luggage...would my bag make it? I ran, and luckily it wasn't too busy plus the lady at the passport check noticed my boarding time and quickly stamped my passport. I made it!! There was only one other couple, the rest was all Asian, from the back this meant all black hair. They non stop played a kind of 'waiting tune or elevator tune' on the plane, instrumental version of 'Stand By Me' and 'Beauty and the Beast' (on both flights). Because I already had a meal on my first flight, I had decided to skip this meal and just take the bread and other small things on the tray. As they got closer, I thought I heard the steward say Satay or ..? I tried to listen and I heard Satay again. And surely as he got to me, "Satay or fish madam?" SATAY!!! My favorite! Holy crap, I hadn't even set foot in Malaysia and I had already had my first satay and boy did I enjoy it!! My bag did not make it btw...but they would drop it off at the hostel a few hours later (around midnight) and they did.
The hostel I stayed in had super comfortable beds and besides one other guy, there was nobody else...the owner, who also picked me up from the airport was very friendly and told me I had to go see the orangutans the next morning, "take the bus at 7am, I show you" as we drove to the hostel. He then went to his restaurant behind the hostel and told me I could find him there if I needed him. A few hours passed and I tried to decide where to go next and what to do in Kuching. The owner, John is his name, came in around midnight to bring me my bag they had just dropped off. I could finally go to sleep after that.
I again set an alarm to take the bus at 7am. It was about an hour to get there and then about a 15min walk through the park. The wildlife park was only open for a few hours in the morning and a few in the afternoon, the 'feeding' times. But only if the orangutans wanted to eat. It was connected to the rest of the forest so if there was enough fruit in the forest, there was no need for them to come. And they also said we were lucky if we saw one, as it is not a zoo and they don't wear watches. But lucky we were, I think I saw about ten (including young ones). There were two areas where the rangers lay down fruit and would tell the visitors if there were any in the other area so a few times in between I ran back and forth. The first time I did, a big orangutan was going over the trees I was walking under, the ranger hurried me to go quicker, that was exciting! It was very cool to see them! We then had to leave so they could be and eat in peace.
I returned by bus and decided to go to Bako National park the next morning and so I booked a room with 4single beds (the only one available for about €20). John told me I could leave my stuff there and pick it up when I returned. I went out into Kuching to explore that afternoon/night. I walked mostly by the water front and took a river 'cruise' in a traditional boat, there was lots to do and see. I tried a popular local snack, Keropok lekor. I asked what it was upon buying it and she said fish. Now most people know I don't like fish, but I said ah ok and bought it anyway, wondering after why I did. But it was kind of tasty! I saw a lot of signs after having tried it in Borneo and the east of Malaysia.
Of course, I had to set yet another alarm to take the bus to the jetty (where I would take a small local boat to Bako). As I walked in the bus that was kind of full, looking for a place to sit, one guy had put his hand on the seat next to him and did not look at me, as a sign for me not to sit there. So I walked all the way to the back of the bus and sat with the other 3 western people. I quickly recognized the accents as they were talking to eachother, Dutch and German. My sign to put my headphones on and listen to music ^_^.
Bako was basic and nice. I still felt like I was in a zoo, people taking pictures (as did I of course) and it felt very touristy. I went on one of the shorter hikes to spot some monkeys and holy crap, what a hike that was. The path was pretty cool when I think about it, made out of rocks, tree roots and an occassionally handmade wooden bridge, but with 30°c+ temperatures and 99% humidity, I was dying! It said it took an hour and after sweating non stop and of course drinking a lot but also not stopping to get it over with, I noticed I was walking for half an hour. At that point I almost called it quits, but as mind over body won, I went on because I had to finish at least one hike. Turned out, I was there a few minutes later haha. Thank you!!!
I ended up at the beach and macaque monkeys were just doing their thing. I sat on a big rock and one of the monkeys walked and stopped in front of me to wash his fruit, eat it and be on his way again. It was nice, peaceful and a piece of the borneo I had pictured. On the way back I was more at ease, still very hot, but knowing it wouldn't take very long to get back. I was able to enjoy the path and the surroundings. And I also noticed the trash in the jungle and on the beach, always hard to understand why people would delibirately ruin such a beautiful sight and possible hurt the animals.
I went to my room to lay down and read for a bit. After a bit, I kept hearing people outside and after 15minutes or so, I decided to see what the fuss was about. And there they were, a few meters from 'my front door' in the trees above, silver leave langurs! So cool, I watched them for a bit and went to the head building to get food, just to learn they didn't start serving until 6:45pm. So I bought a popsicle, sweet corn as recommended by the people that were on my bus earlier. I didn't like it very much and walked over to the beach to finish it on my way back to my room and that's when it happened...two macaque monkeys jumped out of the bushes next to me ready to attack and steal my ice cream. I saw that they were ready to jump and so I threw it a bit further, they both fought over it. As I then wanted to take a picture, they thought I had more food, so I quickly put my hands in my pockets and walked back to the path. Lesson learned.
After dinner, almost everyone went on the night tour. We didn't see any big animals (like wild cats) but we did see a venomous green sniper, giant centerpeeds, spiders and walking sticks and small frogs. It was nice. And when I walked back to the room, I looked up at the stars. They were magnificient and in my mind, I went back to all the places, I'd seen stars before.
And yup, I again set an alarm for sunrise the next morning because I read in a blog that's when you could spot monkeys along the beach. I didn't see any, just more of the bearded pigs that were everywhere (which sounds not interesting but they were!!). Big fat fail. I then went back to the room, laid down for a bit, packed my stuff and took the boat and then bus back to Kuching where I had another night and set yet another alarm for my flight the next morning.
Cheers,
T.
After an amazing flight (2) with Emirates, I landed in Bangkok (Bkk) for, what I believe to be, my 5th time. I flew here because I had still wanted to do a bikeride through Bkk and because if the weather in Malaysia was bad, I could easily fly elsewhere from here. My Dutch friend who works at an airline was also here the night I arrived and returned the moring after. So to make it easy to meet, and since I was arriving late in the evening, I stayed close to his hotel. We had some beers, the only ones I've had so far and said our goodbyes again.
I set my alarm for the next morning and after a short night, I was off Co van Kessel. I didn't want to do the bikeride there, since it was a Dutch company but it was a 3min walk from my hotel, so I decided to go anyway. Upon signing in, I noticed that the 10 or so people before me all wrote down 'Dutch' under nationality. I rolled my eyes and sighed quietly...this is exactly why I didn't want to go here haha. Anyways, we had little contact during the bike ride and mostly listened to the local guide and enjoyed the views, narrow alleys, local foods, etc. After that I went in for a nap, bought some water and fried chicken on the street and made my way to the local expressboat. I went till the last stop and back, took about 2hours, 30THB (less than €1). And I saw the city by day and night. After that I had a footmassage and headed to bed to again set my alarm.
A buddhist taxi took me to the airport, you probably wonder why I explicitely mention he was buddhist? The reason is that they believe in karma and doing good to receive good. I hailed down a few taxis before him and none of the wanted to drive me to the airport on the meter, because they could make more without it.
I decided to start in Sarawak, Borneo and fly to Kuching. I flew to KL in 60minutes and got foood (included in the price), nom nom. Unfortunately the flight was delayed and so I only had a 30min layover. I thought it would be a mirae if I'd make it to the next flight in time, and was also thinking about my luggage...would my bag make it? I ran, and luckily it wasn't too busy plus the lady at the passport check noticed my boarding time and quickly stamped my passport. I made it!! There was only one other couple, the rest was all Asian, from the back this meant all black hair. They non stop played a kind of 'waiting tune or elevator tune' on the plane, instrumental version of 'Stand By Me' and 'Beauty and the Beast' (on both flights). Because I already had a meal on my first flight, I had decided to skip this meal and just take the bread and other small things on the tray. As they got closer, I thought I heard the steward say Satay or ..? I tried to listen and I heard Satay again. And surely as he got to me, "Satay or fish madam?" SATAY!!! My favorite! Holy crap, I hadn't even set foot in Malaysia and I had already had my first satay and boy did I enjoy it!! My bag did not make it btw...but they would drop it off at the hostel a few hours later (around midnight) and they did.
The hostel I stayed in had super comfortable beds and besides one other guy, there was nobody else...the owner, who also picked me up from the airport was very friendly and told me I had to go see the orangutans the next morning, "take the bus at 7am, I show you" as we drove to the hostel. He then went to his restaurant behind the hostel and told me I could find him there if I needed him. A few hours passed and I tried to decide where to go next and what to do in Kuching. The owner, John is his name, came in around midnight to bring me my bag they had just dropped off. I could finally go to sleep after that.
I again set an alarm to take the bus at 7am. It was about an hour to get there and then about a 15min walk through the park. The wildlife park was only open for a few hours in the morning and a few in the afternoon, the 'feeding' times. But only if the orangutans wanted to eat. It was connected to the rest of the forest so if there was enough fruit in the forest, there was no need for them to come. And they also said we were lucky if we saw one, as it is not a zoo and they don't wear watches. But lucky we were, I think I saw about ten (including young ones). There were two areas where the rangers lay down fruit and would tell the visitors if there were any in the other area so a few times in between I ran back and forth. The first time I did, a big orangutan was going over the trees I was walking under, the ranger hurried me to go quicker, that was exciting! It was very cool to see them! We then had to leave so they could be and eat in peace.
I returned by bus and decided to go to Bako National park the next morning and so I booked a room with 4single beds (the only one available for about €20). John told me I could leave my stuff there and pick it up when I returned. I went out into Kuching to explore that afternoon/night. I walked mostly by the water front and took a river 'cruise' in a traditional boat, there was lots to do and see. I tried a popular local snack, Keropok lekor. I asked what it was upon buying it and she said fish. Now most people know I don't like fish, but I said ah ok and bought it anyway, wondering after why I did. But it was kind of tasty! I saw a lot of signs after having tried it in Borneo and the east of Malaysia.
Of course, I had to set yet another alarm to take the bus to the jetty (where I would take a small local boat to Bako). As I walked in the bus that was kind of full, looking for a place to sit, one guy had put his hand on the seat next to him and did not look at me, as a sign for me not to sit there. So I walked all the way to the back of the bus and sat with the other 3 western people. I quickly recognized the accents as they were talking to eachother, Dutch and German. My sign to put my headphones on and listen to music ^_^.
Bako was basic and nice. I still felt like I was in a zoo, people taking pictures (as did I of course) and it felt very touristy. I went on one of the shorter hikes to spot some monkeys and holy crap, what a hike that was. The path was pretty cool when I think about it, made out of rocks, tree roots and an occassionally handmade wooden bridge, but with 30°c+ temperatures and 99% humidity, I was dying! It said it took an hour and after sweating non stop and of course drinking a lot but also not stopping to get it over with, I noticed I was walking for half an hour. At that point I almost called it quits, but as mind over body won, I went on because I had to finish at least one hike. Turned out, I was there a few minutes later haha. Thank you!!!
I ended up at the beach and macaque monkeys were just doing their thing. I sat on a big rock and one of the monkeys walked and stopped in front of me to wash his fruit, eat it and be on his way again. It was nice, peaceful and a piece of the borneo I had pictured. On the way back I was more at ease, still very hot, but knowing it wouldn't take very long to get back. I was able to enjoy the path and the surroundings. And I also noticed the trash in the jungle and on the beach, always hard to understand why people would delibirately ruin such a beautiful sight and possible hurt the animals.
I went to my room to lay down and read for a bit. After a bit, I kept hearing people outside and after 15minutes or so, I decided to see what the fuss was about. And there they were, a few meters from 'my front door' in the trees above, silver leave langurs! So cool, I watched them for a bit and went to the head building to get food, just to learn they didn't start serving until 6:45pm. So I bought a popsicle, sweet corn as recommended by the people that were on my bus earlier. I didn't like it very much and walked over to the beach to finish it on my way back to my room and that's when it happened...two macaque monkeys jumped out of the bushes next to me ready to attack and steal my ice cream. I saw that they were ready to jump and so I threw it a bit further, they both fought over it. As I then wanted to take a picture, they thought I had more food, so I quickly put my hands in my pockets and walked back to the path. Lesson learned.
After dinner, almost everyone went on the night tour. We didn't see any big animals (like wild cats) but we did see a venomous green sniper, giant centerpeeds, spiders and walking sticks and small frogs. It was nice. And when I walked back to the room, I looked up at the stars. They were magnificient and in my mind, I went back to all the places, I'd seen stars before.
And yup, I again set an alarm for sunrise the next morning because I read in a blog that's when you could spot monkeys along the beach. I didn't see any, just more of the bearded pigs that were everywhere (which sounds not interesting but they were!!). Big fat fail. I then went back to the room, laid down for a bit, packed my stuff and took the boat and then bus back to Kuching where I had another night and set yet another alarm for my flight the next morning.
Cheers,
T.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
The big 3-0
Howdy y'all,
It's been a while since I put any words on 'paper'. I started a few times, but never seemed to be able to make it into a story and actually finish it (or maybe I just didn't want to share it). But since I've got a million hours at the airport and a computer with free wifi at my disposal, I will use my time wisely. I bought a few snacks and am stationed next to a Massage chair corner (15min for 1eur) so I think I'll be ok...
So let's start by reviewing last year for a bit. I started working at TenneT (yet again, 5th time's a charm?) and it was only about a month later that I had my own appartment (rental). It happened rather sudden and fast, and so I had already booked a few weekends away in Europe. This meant that it took about a month for me to move in. I had most of the flooring done within the first weekend, thanks to my awesome friends. And no, not those builder like-male friends which I didn't seem to have but awesome girls and gays :)!! Anyway, after that I had to pick out furniture, a new kitchen, and pack all my stuff. Now luckily, I didn't have a lot of stuff, but anyone who kind of knows me, knows that I am terrible at picking out things that need to last for years (and cost money). A bit of a challenge, but I did it in an acceptable amount of time. Which doesn't mean that I finished everything (details), let's just say it's a work in progress.
I was overjoyed with my own place, finally a place where I could display my souvenirs, my stuff, my life really. A place I can call home and finally invite friends and family at my place instead of me going to theirs. Some have called it a museum, cozy, but most say it's totally me. It's colorful, organized, practical, and wordly! But of course, that little bird on my shoulder kept telling me to go away, to fly, to travel. So I went on a few citytrips in Europe, to the States twice (San Francisco to visit my cousin who was studying there and on a roadtrip, half of it with a friend, half alone - I did write about these trips, see previous posts), and to Thailand during my birthday to celebrate it with family from Australia. Oh and let's not forget the weekend to Kuala Lumpur in November haha, I was able to fly with my friend who works at an airline and another girl I met in Myanmar a few years back who turned out to be a mutual friend, reunion in KL!
Anyway, when I left Thailand after about 10 days, I didn't want to. I remember looking back once walking towards the airplane, wondering if there was a way out. I wanted to catch the next plane anywhere else but home. I loved being back in Asia and see how simple life can be. Anyway, life continued and then 2018 came and I wrote this:
There it is, 2018 is a fact. I made it, yet again. At the beginning of 2017, I thought I had it all; a job, an appartment, trips planned for the rest of the year... it was all there, and yet I wasn't. I lost myself somewhere along the way, for reasons I can't explain (or don't want to). I felt unsure of everything, everything I felt, that I did, and also everything I was. I didn't understand any of it, which made it harder to deal with. But after months of just moving on, I conquered it, I learned and I evolved. Yet, here I am, 2018 is here and I still have doubts with most decisions I make. It almost seems like I long so much to be part of something, something bigger, something more. It never seems to be enough, I can do more, I can see more, I can be more. And life should be more. Maybe it's still getting used to this 'normal' way of living. I keep telling myself that every day is an adventure, but is it? When I'm bingewatching tv..it sure doesn't feel like it and maybe it doesn't have to be either. My new years resolution: To find happiness/satisfaction in something else than traveling.
This is the first time I read this passage since I wrote it in the beginning of last year and it almost brings me tears to my eyes. I forgot how I felt, but it all comes back retyping it, which might me the power of writing (your feelings down). Especially because I was sitting here, smiling, listening to my music, dancing on the chair a bit (sitting down of course). It's safe to say that I haven't felt like that in a while but I do remember not knowing what to do or where to go next. I also met a bunch of expats that gave me that feeling a bit of being abroad, even though we were dancing in my hometown. But we communicate in English (mostly), which I love doing. It's like, "when you can't take the girl abroad, bring abroad to her". But I did realize in the last year, that I need a break every once in a while and so does my body apparently and my mind definitely does.
I did go away btw in the beginning of 2018, to NY, always wanted to visit the city and a collegue was performing in Carnegie Hall, so I just had to go!! It was freezing and I didn't care for the city too much. What I loved most was getting on a bike and riding through traffic, walking to Central Park with 4 layers of clothing on haha and having a sub at a local shop :), oh and seeing the Law&Order building as seen on tv (NERD). After that I didn't go anywhere, except for a few weekends away in Europe. I wanted to go away in March, then in May, but had little inspiration and couldn't get into my 'travel-flow' and actually plan something. And so I ended up not going at all until now (October), which I also didn't book until a week before I left.
So going back to my new years resolution, not 100%. That itch to travel, will never go. And I promised myself that next year (2019) would be different and I already have a few things planned, so fingers crossed...uhm no, not fingers crossed, I WILL EXECUTE THESE PLANS and travel my a** off :)!
My next blog will be about my trip through Malaysia :). Oh and yeah, I turned 30 a few weeks ago, but who cares right?! Have a fabulous day! Only 4hrs left at the airport...yaaaaawn! Time for a massage ;-)!
Cheers,
T.
It's been a while since I put any words on 'paper'. I started a few times, but never seemed to be able to make it into a story and actually finish it (or maybe I just didn't want to share it). But since I've got a million hours at the airport and a computer with free wifi at my disposal, I will use my time wisely. I bought a few snacks and am stationed next to a Massage chair corner (15min for 1eur) so I think I'll be ok...
So let's start by reviewing last year for a bit. I started working at TenneT (yet again, 5th time's a charm?) and it was only about a month later that I had my own appartment (rental). It happened rather sudden and fast, and so I had already booked a few weekends away in Europe. This meant that it took about a month for me to move in. I had most of the flooring done within the first weekend, thanks to my awesome friends. And no, not those builder like-male friends which I didn't seem to have but awesome girls and gays :)!! Anyway, after that I had to pick out furniture, a new kitchen, and pack all my stuff. Now luckily, I didn't have a lot of stuff, but anyone who kind of knows me, knows that I am terrible at picking out things that need to last for years (and cost money). A bit of a challenge, but I did it in an acceptable amount of time. Which doesn't mean that I finished everything (details), let's just say it's a work in progress.
I was overjoyed with my own place, finally a place where I could display my souvenirs, my stuff, my life really. A place I can call home and finally invite friends and family at my place instead of me going to theirs. Some have called it a museum, cozy, but most say it's totally me. It's colorful, organized, practical, and wordly! But of course, that little bird on my shoulder kept telling me to go away, to fly, to travel. So I went on a few citytrips in Europe, to the States twice (San Francisco to visit my cousin who was studying there and on a roadtrip, half of it with a friend, half alone - I did write about these trips, see previous posts), and to Thailand during my birthday to celebrate it with family from Australia. Oh and let's not forget the weekend to Kuala Lumpur in November haha, I was able to fly with my friend who works at an airline and another girl I met in Myanmar a few years back who turned out to be a mutual friend, reunion in KL!
Anyway, when I left Thailand after about 10 days, I didn't want to. I remember looking back once walking towards the airplane, wondering if there was a way out. I wanted to catch the next plane anywhere else but home. I loved being back in Asia and see how simple life can be. Anyway, life continued and then 2018 came and I wrote this:
There it is, 2018 is a fact. I made it, yet again. At the beginning of 2017, I thought I had it all; a job, an appartment, trips planned for the rest of the year... it was all there, and yet I wasn't. I lost myself somewhere along the way, for reasons I can't explain (or don't want to). I felt unsure of everything, everything I felt, that I did, and also everything I was. I didn't understand any of it, which made it harder to deal with. But after months of just moving on, I conquered it, I learned and I evolved. Yet, here I am, 2018 is here and I still have doubts with most decisions I make. It almost seems like I long so much to be part of something, something bigger, something more. It never seems to be enough, I can do more, I can see more, I can be more. And life should be more. Maybe it's still getting used to this 'normal' way of living. I keep telling myself that every day is an adventure, but is it? When I'm bingewatching tv..it sure doesn't feel like it and maybe it doesn't have to be either. My new years resolution: To find happiness/satisfaction in something else than traveling.
This is the first time I read this passage since I wrote it in the beginning of last year and it almost brings me tears to my eyes. I forgot how I felt, but it all comes back retyping it, which might me the power of writing (your feelings down). Especially because I was sitting here, smiling, listening to my music, dancing on the chair a bit (sitting down of course). It's safe to say that I haven't felt like that in a while but I do remember not knowing what to do or where to go next. I also met a bunch of expats that gave me that feeling a bit of being abroad, even though we were dancing in my hometown. But we communicate in English (mostly), which I love doing. It's like, "when you can't take the girl abroad, bring abroad to her". But I did realize in the last year, that I need a break every once in a while and so does my body apparently and my mind definitely does.
I did go away btw in the beginning of 2018, to NY, always wanted to visit the city and a collegue was performing in Carnegie Hall, so I just had to go!! It was freezing and I didn't care for the city too much. What I loved most was getting on a bike and riding through traffic, walking to Central Park with 4 layers of clothing on haha and having a sub at a local shop :), oh and seeing the Law&Order building as seen on tv (NERD). After that I didn't go anywhere, except for a few weekends away in Europe. I wanted to go away in March, then in May, but had little inspiration and couldn't get into my 'travel-flow' and actually plan something. And so I ended up not going at all until now (October), which I also didn't book until a week before I left.
So going back to my new years resolution, not 100%. That itch to travel, will never go. And I promised myself that next year (2019) would be different and I already have a few things planned, so fingers crossed...uhm no, not fingers crossed, I WILL EXECUTE THESE PLANS and travel my a** off :)!
My next blog will be about my trip through Malaysia :). Oh and yeah, I turned 30 a few weeks ago, but who cares right?! Have a fabulous day! Only 4hrs left at the airport...yaaaaawn! Time for a massage ;-)!
Cheers,
T.
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