Semester is finally starting and my one month of traveling has come to its end. When I returned to Oxford, I never really realized how much I liked this place. Sure it's isolated from society and civilization, but there is something special being behind these walls. Special and strong enough to make you feel safe. If I didn't know any better, I would say the walls whisper that everything will be fine.
My trip started off where it all began, Atlanta. I still remembered how I couldn't sleep the night before meeting my good friends. It's been almost five months since we all separated. Many things might change, but how we viewed each other was not one of them. This reunion was more than just four friends meeting each other, it was four memories coming together. Sometimes, when you have been deprived of your roots for sometime, memories are the only cure for the lonely heart.
Savannah was a beauty of its own. A small town with a rich history. From the haunted houses to the seaside beauty, this place is definitely a must go. I liked how everything in Savannah was a stone throw away. You could literally walk the entire town if your energetic enough, something Oxford can never give.
Jacksonville was all about the food. I still can't believe that we drove forty miles away to have some indian food. In fact, we had dinner in the exact same restaurant for three consecutive days. It's almost like we were under a spell. Spell or not, the food was great!
(The restaurant is called flavors)
Daytona beach was more of a disappointment for both me and my friends. Who ever said looks can be deceiving is definitely true in this one. Note to everyone: next time don't blindly fall for the photo's online. I wished we recorded the moment we discovered some used condoms under the drawer, that would be a funny video.
Orlando was an amazing place. Mostly because of the theme park we visited. Universal studios was a fun adventure indeed. Walking down Harry Potter world seemed so real. From the 12.50 butterbeer till the hogward's express train station. Everything seemed real. The devil was in the detail. Disneyland was another spectacular experience. Standing in front of Cinderella's castle waiting for the new year to spawn is once in a life time experience indeed. I never understood why kids wanted to go disney. All the characters are not real after all. I guess, sometimes we all want to get away from reality, enjoy our fantasy and understand that miracles do happen in life. Disney is not just a child's dream land, it was a reminder that miracles and magic does happen in life. Whether your a child or not.
I never really thought I would end up in New york. All my "memories" of the city has been through movies I watched. Well, it was possible thanks to some friends I made in Oxford. I experienced great hospitality living with my friend. New york or NYC reminded me much of Kuala Lumpur (KL), from the busy streets to the superfluous skyscraper. It was the place everyone wanted to be in. While we walked down the streets looking at hot spots, let us not forget those homeless warriors fighting everyday for the another day. Irony how the place of the rich is also the place of the poor. I saw many homeless people there, some were trying to be funny, while some were just at the verge of giving up. I often wonder how do these people get their day by. I guess all that saying that New york is the place of opportunity doesn't really resonate with this people, does it?
My vacation ended in NYC but my journey began in Leadershape. I have to be honest, I signed up for this programme only because I had no place to go for one week and neither did I wanted to trouble my friend. Funny how fate always plays in my life, those I pay less attention to end up being the center piece. The great thing about leadershape was not about the curriculum, it was about the people. 65 people, coming from different walks of life, sharing a common goal, to make a difference. I was definitely happy to make friends with many people. It only took 1 day for all of us to turn from acquaintances to family. How often does that happen? Well, it happened in leadershape. I honestly hope that all of us keep in touch, there is just too much to learn from each other.
As for me, living out of a suitcase has been a great experience. You never know what you can expect. The key is to have an open heart and accept whatever that comes your way. All this traveling made me think. If I could learn so much by planning a trip, how much can I learn by backpacking to a place unplanned. Would it be a challenge or insane? Either way, I think I got the mojo.
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