GLITTER DUST OF MY MIND. SOLILOQUY.
Taking advantage of the holidays in Singapore, July 17, 2015 is Hari Raya celebration would mean we are getting a long weekend. Thursday morning, I asked my husband, "Would you like to go on an adventure trip for the long weekend?" and he said, "Sure! I would love to! Surprise me!" Most people who know me, much as I love planned trips, I get crazy at times and just do random short unplanned adventure trips. I am the type who organizes long trips ahead. Like for example, my trip in August for another vacation, flights have been booked in March, hotels have been picked in April, itinerary has been written by May. I love to plan stuff and I set time too for possible changes or hiccups, gives me so much time to plan or change plans. But for short trips on weekends, I love to be spontaneous and crazy. I appreciate how my husband is always supportive when these moments happen, when i would suddenly just pop him a message, "Pack our bags, we are going on a trip. Let me surprise you!" That usually is the code for another fun filled weekend. We arrived Johor Bahru at around 103pm. Headed to Larkin Bus terminal by cab to catch the next bus to Kuala Lumpur. We were able to get an 11:15pm bus, at 60Ringgit.We traveled from Larkin Bus terminal to TBS in Kuala Lumpur. I'm a very good bus sleeper so travel long long hours on buses or trains still wouldn't stop me from getting the hours of sleep. Arrived TBS at around 3:30am and both my companions are down screaming to get a bed. I use the night time for traveling that way I get to use the whole day to do activities, unfortunately some people really need full sleep in a bed. When you arrive TBS at such timings, you will see a lot of traveller as well that are waiting for their trips. Some shops and restaurants are closed, we roamed around the first floor and found a convenience store. You can also go up to the 2nd level and you will find an Indian Food shoppe that serves tea, coffee and prata. My husband is a big prata fan. After breakfast, they had to catch some zzzzz and slept a little bit, while I watch for the next schedule and plan the day. At 6:30am, public transportation from TBS by train has started. Since check in time for the hotel is 12 noon, I suggested we can use the morning to explore the Batu Caves, part of Kuala Lumpur. Travelled to Batu Caves and arrived there around 7:45am which was the first trip for the day. Batu Caves is rich in culture, it gives you a lot of information on the Hindu faith and belief. As soon as you arrive, you will see the Giant Monkey Statue. True enough for the symbol, they did have a lot of monkeys roaming around, hanging around the trees. You will find a Hindu temple at the back of the huge statue where they pray. From there you can start walking towards the direction of the Batu Cave. I kept joking about the 272 steps, seems easy for those who run, yet will be quite a test when you had no sleep the whole night. By the time you get to the steps to the Bath cave, you should have seen the flocks and flocks of pigeons flying around. It's a whole lot of them you could even imagine. They just fly around and you can also feed them, they are indeed friendly, except you also got to be sure you won't mind getting pooped on when they fly above and around. The steps to the Batu Cave will not be as tedious since by the stairs alone, a few monkeys will try to entertain you. The view as well is mesmerizing, especially seeing that huge statue of Murugan, that looks very majestic as the sun starts to shine on it. As soon as you reach the mouth of the cave, it will be a surprise that the cave is huge. For those who are claustrophobic, at least, when you see the cave opening, you won't be scared to go it. The place has been developed and well lighted so not to worry if you are scared of the dark and some flying bats. Going inside the cave, looking up, it's definitely mind boggling how nature could create something so beautiful as this. Inside you will see a whole lot of monkeys, that reminded me when planet of the apes were starting their tribe. Some of them climb up so high, but when you start showing that you have food you want to share to them, all of them start getting out of their hiding and start going towards your direction. I'm not too good with handling monkeys, I am better with filming people try to pet them, so you won't see any video or photo of me with the monkeys. Wrapping things up, after staying there for a few hours, it was time for us to leave. Sitting inside that cave gives you a different sense of peaceful feeling as well, it didn't seem to as warm knowing there are quite a few others inside with you. Inside is a temple too where the believers offer their prayers. By the time you leave and start walking down the stairs, one of my most favorite parts in the journey is taking photos from the top steps, where you have the huge vibrant statue on the left and the view of the place in the middle. It made the walk down worthwhile and equally entertaining. To our surprise, when we went to Batu Caves, the trains were empty. Going back though from the Caves to the city, was kind of awkward. Reminds me of what I see on TV about boarding trains in India. Still, we boarded the jam packed train and headed to Kuala Lumpur City Sentral to check in to the hotel. It was indeed a fulfilling half of the day.
Politics was never my cup of tea and always had been in denial that I would ever be in politics. With too many dirty stories on politicians and news about what they do, it just makes you shun the idea of appreciating them. But then on this last trip to attend a family wedding, it opened my eyes to a new realization. Our blood has always been in politics from grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins. My father is not, that is probably why me and my brothers weren't inclined nor on that path yet. Dad is a strong man, but he would leave politics to his brothers. I am like my Father; I would like to serve people in other means but not thru political medium. But lately, I started feeling "The VARGAS" blood in me. To clarify, I still do not intend to run for any political post. I am sharing because I appreciate. But of course, I do not close my self to the possibility because I would like to serve as well.
This last trip to join my cousins wedding just explained to me what the real meaning of politics is. My uncle just inspired me in so many different ways. For my cousins wedding, a lot of family and relatives travelled to another island. Uncle asked me to see everyone since our relatives stayed in one apartment. I met uncles, aunts, cousins to the farthest degree. They gladly hugged me and kisses me, not seeing me for a long time. It made me teary eyed, because these people remember you as a child and tell you stories about your Dad when he was young. They traveled almost 3days to get to Bacolod from Surigao, despite weather conditions. It's beautiful. Politics is not being in position. I saw how uncle treated each person like family, even by blood or not, they are family. I fully understand the Call to SERVE. Those who want to exalt themselves will be humbled; those who humble himself will be exalted. I understood the Real Heart of a Politician. I wouldn't say it's about money, power, influence, and personal gain. Material things are like dust in this world, they get flown away by the wind. A real politician is the real servant to his people; he serves them because he loves them and wants the best for them in their lives. He gives what he is abundant of. He gives his life in service because he wants to provide not just for his own family, but to even extended. He could choose a life of relaxation and be on vacation, retire and life in the US, but he chooses to serve until he can. As I met those relatives I never even knew names, it lightened my heart. My heart loves each one. It made me understand the definition, THE CALL TO SERVE, that your life is not about yourself, it is always about the people you love, helping other people, giving your heart for other people without any exchange in return. I wish all politicians get the HEART to SERVE so they live by their purpose. |
AUTHOR
And now these three remain: FAITH HOPE LOVE. But the greatest of these is LOVE. I LOVE to write, about LIFE, LOVE, PEOPLE, EXPERIENCE, day to day life and INSIGHS. I love to Travel. I write about experience, culture, highlights and knowledge. May this site serve you well. I will be open for comments and suggestions, as well as topics I could write about. Thank you very much. Enjoy! |