So, after four days in Porto, we started our journey back home, with another brief transit, in the one and only,
Paris.
Despite the scorching hot weather with lots of people, Paris never ceases to make me smile.
I loved everything I saw and smelled. The buildings, the boulangerie, the creperie, the small alleys, so little time yet so many things to see.
We stayed near the airport and went to the city by the metro. When we were there in 2016, we mostly traveled by bus because it was easier with strollers to carry around.
During the precious short visit, we only had few main itineraries :
– Visited the Institute Curie for the little girl.
– Bought a pan for the doctor.
– Stopped by chez Emily and Monoprix for me.
Since all of them are within walking distance and few metro ridings, we covered all of them within few hours spent in Paris (minus the sleeping).
Paris is always a good idea, just like Audrey Hepburn said, which I totally agree. But, spending some time during summer in Paris, bon, Paris en été, ce n’est pas pour moi. C’est chaud et trop bondé.
It’s been a very long ride until we finally safely arrived in this trip main destination.
I didn’t have any expectations about this city. No idea what it would be.
I rarely fall in love with the first sight. But, Porto got me right.
Less than one hour set my feet in this city, I fell in love in an instant. This city is beyond charming.
It had been 48 hours without having a proper meal, it served us with a set of Portugese home made meal from a tiny homey local restaurant across our apartment. It was pumpkin soup and red bean rice with cod fish. I really wanted to cry while sipping the soup. It was the best meal I had in this trip.
We stopped by for the light groceries nearby then returned to the apartment. When we arrived, our room was ready.
We bought Andante card for the bus and metro at Sao Bento station. Our first visit in the afternoon was Ribiera. Sitting by Duoro river and listening to street musician. The little girl seemed too tired after countless flight and airports transfer to do anything else, so she just slept on the bench by the river.
We stayed for 4 days, the first two we went together, while the other two, the doctor attended the course which became the main reason we visited Porto, so me and the little girl explored the city on our own.
Porto is fascinating. I love almost everything about it. It might be not as neatly ordered or filled with stunning beauty like some of other citites in Europe. It is more like beautiful mess with the right measure.
Couldn’t help taking too many pictures of murals and facades. We also stayed in the street of art where there are lots of small galleries.
We basically ticked all the a must see places. Sunset in Jardim de Morro, Mercado de Bolhao, Santa Catarina, Livraria Lello, Cedofeita, Jardin de Palacio, Natural History museum in Universiti of Porto. But, the best one about the city is its charming alleys.
For someone who loves walking, being lost in Porto alleys were the highlights of my staying in this city. Just going in and out aimlessly made me happy.
I love how it felt safe to walk there. I reclaimed my solo traveling in between time spent together and it was so refreshing. There were those times when this trip worth all the hassles been through to get here.
Their bus card called Andante . In music, Andante means a tempo in walking pace. It’s funny how it fits the description of their city. Four days spent in Porto, I feel like life was running in adagio., which means a slow tempo.
Beauty. Safety. Walkability. Porto has set the bar too high for introduction to south Europe. It’s underrated yet highly recommended city to visit.
The city’s postcard viewOne of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Paid entrance for €5, which could be used for buying a book here.One of the most beautiful Mcd in the world, said the articleSunset from Jardim de MorroSardine is a serious bussiness hereAlma in front of Capela de AlmasMercado Bolhao
We were on the way to school last Monday when a song heard from the radio. After the few first seconds of the intro : “Is this time after time?”
“Exactly,”
Listened for a while then asked again : “Is this a remake?”
100 points to Gryffindor. Other than her strong memory, her ears are indeed one of the best part of her.
Couldn’t help taking my phone and recording this.
The video and the vocal might not be the best quality, but, I hope a session of carpool karaoke on the way to school with mommy becomes one of her strong core memories, as it is for me.
The end of Ramadan is here and as always it’s sad.
Time indeed flies when we’re having fun. This year, in spite all the feeling inside, the fasting has been fun.
It’s little girl third Ramadan since she started learning to fast. This time, she is doing it properly for the whole month. No more having ifthar in the middle of the day.
I love how she enjoys the fast. Enjoy means she is doing it effortlessly. Easy to wake up in the morning, no sahoor drama, doing her activities as usual, including the swimming training. She’s been so eager to assist her father while he cooked, helped me baking the cookies, making a simple refreshment for ifthar. We heard close to zero whining all through this Ramadan.
The early holiday helped. Considering Jakarta’s weather all through the month, staying inside is a better option while you fast.
She is the only one at home who managed to complete 100% tarawih and fasting altogether. Not many a 8-yo could do that. I love her perseverance and determination for doing that. May Allah keeps such spirit alive.
Amin.
At the end of this Ramadan, I am beyond grateful to finally have two huge concerns that have been around on my mind lifted. The uneasy feeling told on the previous post mostly about these two things.
This academic year, the little girl would have a new teacher in YPM due to the conflicting schedule of her previous teacher. The teacher had been sounding a name which I had totally no idea who it was. Googling and stalking didn’t help since the teacher had protected account.
The whole through Ramadan, I had been constantly asked for her to be with someone who will understand her. A teacher who would focus on her strengths instead of her weakness. Having a special need kid is getting harder when they’re older. People might not understand and just judge without having willingness to understand what’s the story behind. I found myself thinking to explain everything in advance. Having a teacher who wants to understand matters. Also about the schedule.
We really enjoyed having an early morning Saturday session with the previous teacher. Seven am piano lesson worked best with us. It didn’t disturb the school days. With the name the teacher gave, it might be impossible to have the same schedule since she has two kids. I have been quite uneasy about who her new teacher would be for many reasons.
Last Sunday the answer finally came. It was near ifthar when a text came from the previous teacher. She apologized that the new teacher turned out to be another name other than the one she had been briefing about.
Looking at the name on the screen, as if some huge stone was taken out of my chest.
The new teacher would be her last year theory teacher whom we’re already familar with, whom I have been known around through her social media posts which I am quite happy about. A psychologist who is also familiar with a special need kid, a kind one too judging from the whole year interaction on the last year theory class although it was fully online class. She was there when the little girl did this year final exam and she was kindly said the words encouragement to her. She has been teaching for six years and consistently appeared on the teacher’s concert.
I was even more grateful when I texted her to discuss the lesson schedule. She asked what our usual schedule looked like with previous teacher. Told her it was Saturday at 7am. Then she offered almost exactly the same time. Just few minutes latter.
That was one of the periods where it shows for the countless time there’s something bigger than this little creature who will take care all the affairs that has been worried about. Something that no human mind could afford to make it happen. It’s nothing but the work of The One who arranges everything to the smallest detail.
That Sunday was one of the highlights of this year Ramadan.
Another huge worry was also lifted yesterday. Been worrying about this matter for the past two weeks when I was accidentally found a huge loophole in one of the future plans. Think about it now, maybe the finding meant to help me to figure out how to deal with it within the timeframe instead of knowing when everything was too late. For the past two weeks, I’ve been doing everything within my ability about this. Spelling continous prayers to ask the help from the Most Powerful. The frustration and the tension for the past two weeks were too overwhelming sometimes.
Yesterday was the execution time. My dzikr had been too loud and desperate along the way. We were about asking something to beat the system. When the question finally asked, the officer excused herself to ask her superior and she came back in few minutes with a yes. The sound of my Alhamdulillah was quiet loud that time.
(You’ve endured well, my heart)
That was one of the periods when I was reminded once again how helpless we are as human, how little control we have and all those problems should be humbling us enough. With one twist, every good thing would be easily messed. With another, all the worry could be wiped right away.
Well, this would be the closing post for this Ramadan.
We did out last taraweh and now we’ll have our last sahoor. Alhamdulillah.
Doing the whole fasting month in good health, enjoying all the rituals are two of the greatest blessings this Ramadan brings.
May Allah receives all the worship and grant a chance to meet another Ramadan. Amiin.
Ramadan has been about simplicity. The time when you don’t have to constantly think about what to eat, what to serve, and many more like the other eleven months. I love how simple things are during the day when the little girl has already joined a whole day fasting this year.
The time when you’re naturally drawn to do more good deeds than usual, when you become more conscious in doing something bad or useless knowing it would ruin your fasting.
Dropping any ifthar jama’i outside except for the unavoidable ones since the last 11 years. What is needed after a whole day of fasting is proper rest and silence. Not loud and exhausting dinner.
Traveling is impossible without itinerary but, I think it’s impossible to follow all the itineraries planned before. In 7 days here, only follow the exact plan for the first two days. We decided the rest along the way, especially every morning.
Our itineraries might be not suitable for everyone because it feels like doing nothing. Walking, sitting, playing, lazying around, even nap time is compulsory during traveling. But, we just enjoy what we like and this is the rest time where we’re granted a lot of time to enjoy all those experiences in a new place.
Life rarely goes according to the plan and I think that what makes it interesting. Here’s what we do in 7 days :
1. Arrived at 6.10 and put the luggages at the hotel and we walked around while waiting the check in time.
We stopped by at Haven for the doctor’s coffee. Followed by playing and rest in the playground near darling harbor where we spent 2 hours there.
We continued the walk to the It’s Time for Thai for lunch then went to Woolsworth for light groceries. We were so exhauste already and after that we just sat still in the hotel lobby until our room was ready.
Day 1 morning : walking around with heavy bag on the back
In the afternoon, we strolled down the Sydney harbor and Opera house then enjoyed the whole afternoon warching people in Royal Botanic Garden with Opera House view.
Day 1
2. We decided to return to the same spot but this time to ride on the ferry to visit the oldest theme park in Sydney. Luna Park is not as big as Dufan, but few times more expensive than Dufan. We still paid for that for one child and one adult while the other adult took care the bags and had nap time in the theme park.
Day 2
After nap time, we decided to have dinner in one of Indonesian restaurants in Kingsford. Our hotel is located in front of tram station and this restaurant is only one tram ride away for 20 minutes. It’s also located in front of the tram stop. So, it was very convenient and I was so excited to see the suburban life.
I recorded the whole trip and it was such a beautiful afternoon. After dinner, we went straight back home and that was when a bit of twist happened. There was fire somewhere so right after we hopped on to the tram, it’s stuck. So, we had to wait for the bus and it was pretty crowded. We couldn’t get on to the first one, but managed to do it on the second one.
We stopped in the front of Hyde Park which became our destination on the following day.
Day 2 afternoon : Trip for Nasduk ayam goreng and Bakso.
3. The plan for day 3 was just to have a morning walk in Hyde Park and coffee then went home to get ready. But, as always, plan was just a plan. Hyde Park was quite big so we spent few hours there. We wanted to visit Paddy Market after that, but, we passed Australian Museum and it was too good to be missed. It was almost 10 and ready to open, so we joined the queue.
Free museum with paid shark section, but it was so good. I really enjoyed the story telling they put in everything.
We went to Paddy Market for souvenir shoppings and some fruits. Then, home for nap time.
For the afternoon, we planned for fireworks watching in Darling Harbor, but it was raining and we had one of a must do itineraries the following day, so we decided to skip and sleep instead.
4. We woke up early on Sunday, prepared the bags and everything we needed to do..
A 6km of coastal walk from Coogee to Bondi Beach.
Normally, the route is from Bondi to Coogee. But, we chose to take the reverse. Because, Bondi is wider and bigger, we want to stay there longer, and it’s easier to go home from Bondi.
Actually, we could just stop at Coogee or Bondi then stayed and played. But, we chose to do the long walk first instead. Some difficulties will add more ‘fun’.
Walking with some weight on the back, climbing up and down with some (a lot of) stairs, scooter on and off, the whinning and grumpiness from both ladies, arguing about this and that, those are not shown in the picture, but they are things that will make you remember the trip better.
Twelve thousands steps taken together will remain in memories longer, if it’s not forever.
Sunday walk with stunning viewTouch down Bondi
We went back and had a nap time then we went out once again for groceries. Enjoyed the night around Central Sydney and the town hall.
Night around Town Hall
5. This was the day where we planned to see some of the stores along the George Street. I wanted to find a proper Mary Jane shoes for little girl upcoming piano exam, paid a visit to Dymocks, the biggest book store here and Bed, Bath and Table in Myers. Didn’t find the shoes but bought something from Dymocks and BBT.
The Arcade
That day was mostly like non-itinerary trip. On the afternoon we just strolled around the George Street for another… groceries.
Wherever we go, groceries is my favorite itinerary.
6. The last full day in the city spent in Centennial Park for morning walk then followed by Bondi Junction to find the Mary Jane shoes for the little girl. The surprise thing was I found William Sonoma store here and so happy about that. One of the places that spark joy for me and the doctor. The beautiful plates, the kitchen appliances, the knives, the pan, the pot, sadly my wallet didn’t really agree.
The heaven
The afternoon stroll spent once again in Dymocks. This time was a Dymocks date with the doctor. Checked out Katherine May Wintering when it’s a signed copy on a sale while he got some cook book stuff.
One last spent for Dymocks
7. Home time.
Final packing and everything, then checked out from the hotel. One last stroll to get a cup of coffee for the doctor.
One last shot from the city.
Overall, Sydney is on the medium range of everything. It’s a good city in every aspect. when Tokyo is on the excellent level of hospitality while Seoul on the other side of the bar, Sydney is surely in the middle. Not a cheap city for our wallet, but not as expensive as Tokyo and Seoul, when it comes to eating expense.
This city is not as sophisticated and as vibrant as London and Paris, but you can still the vibe of Europe here while keep being exposed to lots of Asian cultures. Bahasa Indonesia is often heard everywhere we go, except the road less traveled like Bondi Coastal Walk and Centennial Park.
3: Beaches and coastal walks only 30 mins away from the city.
4. Halal food options are pretty easy to find.
5. The mixture of european and asian architecture in the residence area.
6. Stay in Central is so far the best decision made. Glad I didn’t proceed to cancel the hotel on the last minute just because a wifi issue. Solved quickly.
7. Five days are the ideal length of stay.
8. Late summer soon autumn is perfect weather to travel in Sydney.
9. People are moderately nice. Not that friendly, but definitely not unwelcoming.
10. Independent coffee shop is a real serious bussiness here.
We finally break the fasting of regular traveling after hard thought and long consideration, after putting other priorities ahead for the past three years.
Accidentally exactly three years difference.
Resumed exercising the long traveling muscle turned out wasn’t easy as I thought. The back pain sleeping in sitting position made me think about the comfy bed at home.
The long waiting between arrival and the check in made me wish about this and that.
The messed up routines made me slightly uncomfortable. The only reason choosing this date : Public holiday on Saturday, so no YPM.
Dealing with immigration and customs always makes me anxious.
The high tension of pre-departure where I want the house is clean and clear make me do continuous cleaning even until two hours before going to the airport. Other than Ramadan and Eid, my home is on its best shape when we have traveling plan. Simply because : I don’t want coming back to a messy home. The post traveling mess is more than enough to deal with.
So, then, why bother?
Because being too comfortable and not learning anything new is more dangerous.
Because missing the important years for the little girl training outside her classroom and zoom meetings should make me more anxious.
Because, based on the past experiences, in spite of the hardships and the twists each past travels bring, how intense they were, I don’t have any slightest regrets doing all of them.
We met a mother with THREE KIDS UNDER FIVE traveled alone on the same flight. The littlest one had been crying almost through all the journey. But, near the landing, she had been in so much better mood and I saw them smiling happily when we landed. I was so proud of them. They will surely remember what they’d been through together for many years to come.
At least, it happened to us. First disastrous trip to Paris, where the little girl cried for two long haul flights, the sweat of nursing her a whole night, and she ended up sleeping on the floor until the first transit (that little baby slept in a bassinet), the tension she gave us where it was so packed on that tiny airplane from Istanbul to Paris and she didn’t stop whinning, I sweared after that trip, I would never take any kind of this crazy thing anymore.
Never say never.
After that disastrous Paris, she’s flourished and I broke that promise.
Yesterday, a reunion with high school friends happened after five years which was the longest we hadn’t met.
I rarely could belong in a group. I am more into solo and the maximum member of group I could survive is three to five. But, it’s a different case for this one.
We met at the last year of senior high school by being on the same science class. High school was quite confusing place for me. I couldn’t fully safe being there until I met this people on the last year.
For the first time, it felt so safe.
What does it mean to be safe?
Safe just to be who I am.
This class is full of, borrowing the word from one of my friends there, socially misfits people. I prefer socially awkward actually. When I looked back, that class indeed was full of neurodivergent people. But, instead of chaos, it was beautifully blended.
For the first time during my school years, I chose to be in charge. I became the initiator of all meetings that happened for the last 20 years. I voluntarily organized those meetings.
When it comes to these people, this lazy me suddenly get my full energy to take care things to the smallest detail.
Just like when I take care Langit.
A kind of energy that only exist because you love something.
I could transform to be extremely extroverted when I am with them. Being loud and talk quite a lot and no pretense. They bring out the other side of me that is rarely appear in the surface.
A kind of personality that blooms when you grow in right soil.
We met often during the four years of college. From a simple eating out, ifthar together, a trip to Kota Tua, visiting a sick friend, attending the weddings and many more. Those were one of the best times of my 20s I spent with others.
But, life happened after that. The meeting slowly changed from regularly to occasionally to rarely then never. There were period where no matter how much I put my energy, it didn’t happen until I certain point I became reluctant.
There were periods where that whatsapp group was in a complete silence for a long time and I didn’t even have the willing to fuel it up.
Early this year, slowly but sure, the flame started burning again. After observing for some time, I dared my self to initiate the gathering once again. Thankfully, this time, the crowd answered better.
Long story short, we had that loud, full of laughter and talks in a restaurant which became our regular meeting point for a long time.
What makes this reunion worth my time and energy is because these people haven’t changed at all. We are the same old high school kids with 20 years older age.
You won’t find anyone flexing and bluffing about how materially successful one is, no uncomfortable degrading question asked. If everyone ask how are you it is literally means how are you.
I once wrote about them in the past after a meeting and yesterday’s meeting energy gave me the exact same feeling.
Joy and love. The one who made you smile and felt warm at heart after meeting them.
I hope everyone is stay healthy so we could have many more meetings in the future.
In one of my favorite books, it said good social relationship is the number one predictor for those who want to be aging well and happily.
This kind of social group is indeed one for me.
The last minute idea to make a group shirt was brilliant. The writing on the back was mine! This is us 20 years from 2003.My love language is words of affirmation indeed
Eating is one thing that I take seriously from the very beginning for the little girl.
Enduring the first year of feeding three times a day paid in the future years and it keeps compounding.
Took off from 18 months, the first trip abroad to Paris showed, patience (always) pays. Wherever we go, whatever food served on the table, we enjoyed close to zero drama. Trapped in long flight hours with toddler wasn’t scary at all.
And it didn’t stop there, eat well mostly means sleep well. Both eat and sleep well contribute so much to overall health.
Up until eight years, close to zero day of being sick. No matter the weather. No matter how packed the schedule. No matter how far we traveled. Nothing disturb the mind other than dealing with a sick child. Having a healthy one means peace.
Eat and sleep are the root of all problems, not only in childhood but also in adulthood. One can’t do anything right if (s)he doesn’t eat well (balance of everything) and sleep adequately.
To have such skills, both start in the very first year of life and worth all the energy invested on them.
Seriously might be a soft translation of obsessive. Could spend an hour or more to just sit and think the plan for a whole week, back up one included.
When it comes to eating, it’s not only about the food, but the mood.
In breakfast, obligatory daily questions asked : “what do you want for breakfast?”
The answer must be : “what are the choices?”
Options are available most of the time, training her decision skill starts from simple thing like this and it’s not a small feat.
All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast, said John Gunter. That’s why breakfast done twice since her early years. Light starter and heavier one later.
In deciding lunch, I choose what to serve by considering many other things such as what kind of day she deals with on that particular day, what subject she has on that day, how many and how heavy the afternoon classes she has after school, How it feels when she opens the lunch box and see what she will have after a long day.
While for dinner, it’s mostly eat what is served.
Building a good relationship with food is one of the most important things in life and I want my daughter to have it right. Just like building relationship with any other things, building this one too takes time and patience.
Although it’s not always home cooked, but I hope the thoughts and prayers poured for and preparing the food will do her good.
A Penny for My Pensieve 