On New Era of Traveling

I used to write everyday during traveling. When it was morning, dark, and quiet. To restore all the memories made on that day into the writing.

But, so little writing made on this trip although the mind has a lot to say. I hope it’s not a sign that I started taking things for granted, because I really (hope I) don’t.

Like I said in the previous post, resumed exercising traveling muscle turns out is not as easy as I thought. Within the 3-4 for years there are a lot of changes happen inside and outside and I am still trying to figure out what’s the most comfortable way to do it.

For example : the little girl. Four years ago, she still sat and sleep on the stroller whenever we went around. Pushing the stroller around, got on and off the bus or train might be tired but we almost heard no whining or grumpy face along the journey. Because when she was well-fed and sit comfortably, she slept. When we stop, it was either time to eat or play in the park and playground.

I am still getting used that we are now traveling with a pre teen that also has a say of what she wants to do, can show her unhappy face whenever it is not the place she’s interested in, could refuse kind of food offered, and keep nagging to visit something to spend her pocket money in a souvenir or accessories store.

Next : money. Unlike four years ago when we were really tight about money during traveling, now we could be a bit relax, with some price of course. One of the reasons why Australia were not chosen few years ago simply because we couldn’t bring food. We brought home made food to all previous countries we visited to save the eating expense. Only lunch spent outside and it was strictly like that.

Now, we still do that by doing groceries store and light cooking. But, we could have options. We could sit in a pretty decent restaurant, then had a takeway for dinner, snacking ice cream and coffee in between.

It’s better of course, but it’s also harder. When you have less it’s nothing to control because it’s not there, but when you’re blessed with more, it’s impossible without an adequate amount of self control. Knowing when to stop is not an easy feat. Just because you can, you should.

Wearing a mask. It’s weird at the beginning that we don’t have to wear mask at all here. I slowly reduce my mask wearing back in Jakarta for the few past weeks. But, it’s sometimes hard because everyone is still wearing them everywhere. Then, one step at a time.

Well, maybe the new era is not bad at all (obviously not bad actually), hopefully, after this first step, more places will follow. Amin.