1. Foreign and alone. I'd do it all again.
It's true that there are times when I felt a bit isolated, especially when I saw something really out of this world and realised that I have no one to point it out to (Snapchat doesn't count). I took numerous strolls in beautiful gardens, blooming with flowers, telling myself that I'll bring somebody special the next time I visit again. But I think a trip (or two) by myself is somewhat a healthy way to get myself together, and maybe learn about myself and get to know myself better. It's not that I didn't want to have anybody with me, or that I rather explore alone than with anybody else, because I know I'll enjoy myself as much, or even more, if I had the people I love with me. But I don't think I'll regret my decision of travelling alone, though I wasn't completely on my own, grateful for all the familiar company I had with me over in Melbourne.
It's quite selfish for me to say this, but sometimes, it feels amazing to know that at least for that moment, the world you see belongs to you, and your next step does not involve any consideration of the best interests of anybody else. It's not everyday that you get to do whatever your heart desires, given the reality of the world. There will always be weighing against pros and cons, drawing out consequences, benefits and risks. At least for that small fraction of your life, it's entirely up to you.
2. Noticing the minor details.
When you're travelling with others, chances are at some point you'll be too tired or too carried away to take note of what's going on, or how you even got to where you were. Travelling alone is like some survival mission, where every small detail counts. Though I'm not totally familiar with the tram lines, but at least I managed to make out the important routes, mostly by tracing the tram trails by foot. I walked the entire city. Brunswick East to CBD, Central to Fitzroy, the Museum all the way to QV...
I got lost every single day, from the moment I stepped out of the bus from the airport. I was lost. And I took an hour to find Mel, from Southern Cross to the City Hall on Swanston. I thought I was gonna stay lost forever, because the tram system was nothing like what I read online.
Being on my own kept my eyes open. And I think there's no better way to truly experience life there.
3. I actually really like flowers.
I think 30% of my pictures are snapshots of flower beds and flower stalls in the market or along the streets.
My point is, you really discover a lot more about yourself. Things that you didn't even know. You find new passion, and (maybe) figure out what you want or care about in life. You realise what and who is important to you. You find yourself wishing that someone else was there with you, and you can't wait to tell them your stories. You learn more about your heart, and how you function, and what matters the most.
4. Time did not exist.
Don't like the museum? Leave halfway or skip it altogether!
What you like to do may be pointless to others. I really like long walks through the parks, and I prefer walking instead of tramming. I know that if I was with my family, my brother would flip, because water hens and ducks and exotic flowers don't appeal to him at all.
I emptied out a number of days, and left them unplanned. Honestly, I did nothing productive, saw nothing very spectacular, or visited none of the mandatory tourist spots on those days. I just walked and walked, stopped when I saw something interesting, and kept on walking again. Maybe you might think that I'm wasting my precious time there, not seeing what I should be seeing, but I like it that way. I didn't go to Hosier Lane, or took any pictures at the Federation Square and Southbank. I didn't line up for Short Stop doughnuts, or spend an entire day in Philip Island, but honestly, I don't regret my do-nothing-days at all.
5. "Go pose in front of the ____ so I can take a picture for you!"
I didn't have to go through that a lot. I don't like "the monument and I" pictures.
The monument alone is enough.
6. Gelato for lunch.
No elaboration needed.
No comments:
Post a Comment