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N ( ) R W A Y

"Norway is a once-in-a-lifetime destination and the essence of its appeal is remarkably simple: this is one of the most beautiful countries on earth."

Anthony Ham, Lonely Planet Writer

Dear daughter, yes, your mom does solo travel

Dear Rinjani,

I just got back from my solo travel to Croatia. Yes, I do solo travel if you're wondering. It's been long time since the last time I did my solo travel. I remember that time when I just booked my flight from Jakarta to Kinabalu then few days later, I received my Letter of Acceptance from the university I'm studying at now. I changed my mind and canceled my flight, I've never been to Kinabalu since then.

I was about to read my Sputnik Sweetheart when a girl came to me asking for a seat beside me on the bus with familiar English accent.

"She's not German." I murmured

Our almost-7-hours journey from Munich to Zagreb wasn't boring at all as we talked a lot of things. She's from Montreal and she's younger than me but our wanderlust seemed to connect us in a fun flowing conversation. You know, I'm always into that kind of conversation.

We spent few hours in Zagreb together checking off those must-visit-places in the city (thanks to her Lonely Planet), strolling around the downtown, having pancakes, and so on. Later on the night she invited me to go out for a drink but I decided to stay at my hostel as I had to catch my bus very early in the morning.

The next day, I had a fun trekking time at the Plitvice National Park. Yes, another check off of my bucket list. I almost expected to see those fairies coming out from the lakes, flying above the canopy and waterfalls. I could write here all beautiful things I've seen there, but no, you have to prove it by yourself someday. I'm lucky enough to have been there.

There are many routes you can choose there depends on what you really wanna see (and how comfortable you are walking on the long hilly pathways), I chose the longest one and walked along the way, ventured off the trail (but still safe, trust me). I hiked up the hill out of the recommended routes while everyone was too busy taking pictures and I'm glad I did as the view up there was stunning with less crowd.

R, don't put off your dream just because you're alone, if you feel you must go, then go, wait for no one. People might ask you tons of questions of why you do solo travel: "Aren't you lonely?", "Did you just break up with your boyfriend?" or even worse, some guys might be looking at you as if you're their next target, but don't freak out, everything will be fine. It's just because solo travel isn't for everyone.

I don't have all the reasons of why one should do solo travel. All I know, if I hadn't stopped waiting, I'd never discover the other side of myself: that I'm pretty strict on my budget, that I can do a selfie, that I can befriend with strangers, that I like observing people, that I'm not perfect, that the only person I can truly depend on is myself.

It's a way to more appreciate what's already left behind, it's a way to appreciate home, or someone to call home.

So, someday if you feel like it, then go, because I did.

Love,

"And it came to me then. That we were wonderful traveling companions but in the end no more than lonely lumps of metal in their own separate orbits. From far off they look like beautiful shooting stars, but in reality they're nothing more than prisons, where each of us is locked up alone, going nowhere. When the orbits of these two satellites of ours happened to cross paths, we could be together. Maybe even open our hearts to each other. But that was only for the briefest moment. In the next instant we'd be in absolute solitude. Until we burned up and became nothing."

Haruki Murakami, Sputnik Sweetheart

A Story of Summer and Winter

To: Summer, from Winter

Hi,

I was wondering who could be the most favorite between us. I know you're beautiful and people look happier with you, I can see it, everyone can see it. But, I was just wondering if they were really happy from the heart or just to follow the situation before the time runs out. Well, maybe that is not really important, there should be no questions about why and how people are happy.

Your warmth, your longer sunshine, your colorful life must be the source of happiness and that makes me, sometimes, want to be you. I know how people walk faster in a cold winter night, I know how they don't want to be outside as the snow begins to fall, I know the only thing they are looking for is the warmth, something that I can never give to them.

-Winter-

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To: Winter, from Summer

Dear Winter,

People will never be able to choose between us. It's not fair to look only at one side. Well, I might be a bundle of joy for some, but I know there are some other who will always look for you, for your beautiful snowflakes, for the snowman every child wants to build.

You know what makes you even more meaningful? That's the time when people will more appreciate the warmth and togetherness. That's time when people learn that 'this too shall pass' and it's all about time to make everything fine again. You make people learn, don't you realize?

Well, you know what could be the worst thing ever?

Getting your heart broken in summer.

-Summer-

Indonesia

So I'm back again in Germany after spending 1,5 month in Indonesia. I think I'll never be able to describe how it feels to finally step on the land you've been missing for years after a long tiring journey. No, my study has not finished yet, after doing a six month internship in Essen, I still have to go back again to Munich to do my Master's Thesis. I know those stressful and sleepless nights will come soon.

I landed safely in Jakarta with hugs and kisses from my family and friends who picked me up at the airport. I remember how strange it was for me to hear everyone talking in Bahasa at first, I remember how happy I was to finally sleep in my own room again. Everything was real to me.

Home means comfort without effort. I met people whom I've been missing a lot, and the most important thing is knowing that they're all fine and happy (even more happier for those newly-weds couple!). Well, of course I missed a lot of things that happened while I was away: bestfriends' weddings, breakups, new love, career's ups and downs, anything. Many stories to catch up over the drinks and foods we love.

I remember one of my bestfriends (Bruh, if you read this, you know who you are!) just found out that living abroad doesn't make me fancier or something like that, turns out that I'm still the same person who left her country almost 2 years ago, still the same person who prefers Padangnese foods than Western dishes, who still sings Linkin Park and tries screaming so hard in the karaoke session.

Germany doesn't make me less Indonesian. But if I were asked which country that means a lot to me after my home country, I would answer, yes, it's Germany.

I was walking powerlessly to the departure gate as I had to go back again leaving Indonesia, but I know I'll be eventually back again.

And that's just all about time.