The End of Winter Trip 2014 in Eastern Europe. From Warsaw, Prague, Bratislava, to Budapest. Well, this time I won't tell you about how I went home to the Netherlands..but I would love to give you a story how the journey has put me some new sheets of life...
It was my first experience to have a trip when I studied abroad. For me, doing a sight seeing in the cities was amazing, because I always try to dive into its typical atmosphere of the cities I visited. For example, I enjoyed Warsaw as a romantic city, despite of its history and the sparks of modern city when I was there. Then I clearly remember when I stepped my feet at Bratislava, it still overwhelms me with the impression of "from history to life" journey. The most amazing part of the journey was when in Prague, when I start my solo walk, I mean when I convinced my self that I need to have my own story, then have split from my travelmates! Afraid? Worried? Definitely, YES! but at once, I got my courage as well! Yes, a moment I have faith that everything is okay, there was nothing to worry about..just one come to my mind, I GOT TO ENJOY this anyway! :) I remember that I just walked anywhere my feet wanted to, as well as I got my first archery experience and so called my first "Beethoven-Mozart" Tour. So I called Prague by the city of courage. Obviously, Budapest has given me the splendid experience in my winter holiday in 2014 by the warmth of the city and its people. Something that will certainly make people hard to put their attention back to their real life with works, study, etc. So true, isn't it?
I read once, that home is the place where your heart belong. At some moments, I feel "yeah, maybe right", but then this journey has embraced me more. It is not only a place, but also the the journey itself. You met new people, where in the beginning all of them were the strangers, but once you getting know that all you need is start to talk. Immediately you feel like you have found your missing family member. They are no longer the stranger, but someone familiar from your unrevealed life. Then when you start to feel worry and eventually everything is fine, you have also found that God always be with you with in any ways. Lost in the city no longer frighten you, because you realize that you can open your gadget, you can ask people, just follow your step, ask the police, or just get in to a store or cafe and get a hot chocolate and getting relax!
As a Moslem traveler, the most challenging thing doing a trip in Eastern Europe is finding an appropriate place to do prayer. It is because Islam not the majority religion, so mosque is a precious to find. So what I was doing is I did the jamak (doing 2 prayers at one praying time). It is a rukhsah (easiness) for mushafir (traveler) to do prayer. To be honest, it is my dream to visit every mosque in each visited city I have. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to do that because of the lack of information and I didn't do research before. Another challenge is to find halal food. Thus, vegetarian and fish always be my choice, and non alcohol ingredients. By all means, travelling not supposed to bump you from your belief, it should escalate you of worshiping the God (Allah).
Ah, speaking of travelling, it is about immigration that always make me nervous. Frankly speaking, I heard so many stories about the checking process, the officer, the discrimination, Asian, Islam, etc. Well, that's how media create a stereotype, isn't it? (which I'm sick of this). However, I clearly remember when we (me and friends) stepped out from the plane and went to arrivals room, the police office came and asked our visa and passport (even a quite long with questions while looking at our passport). Though it was a normal checking because, because we were the only foreigner passengers (with our typical Asian face). But then I realized that it was a normal procedure, nothing to be worried haha. By any means, for me, immigration check is like a gate to enter the new world. What will happen after the line or behind that door (gate)? so curious, isn't it? ;)
A bit surprise, our smooth landing at Eindhoven airport were welcomed by snow that we have waiting for. It was because in the last year winter, there was no snow at all in the Netherlands. Moreover, most people said last year kind of winter felt summer :D
Well, it's time to get back to the reality, going back home, studying, and graduate!
well...not really..for other trips for sure! :D
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| excuse us for the blurry pics! it was soooooo coold! :D |
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