Going Places part 1

If you are happen to love travelling, which destination do you love the best? Or which place you really really love to go? A place to die for. Be it a landmark, museum, historic site, landscape, shopping malls, or even a red light district. I have erm, let's call it the "T Project" hehehe.. T stands for Travelling =P

I don't put them in order as they're all exciting spots for me:

1. North Korea. (1,2,3)
Some of you might think "WTF is this dude gonna do in NK?" Well, once I've read a posting (most prolly a Russian, seeing from his language) that told this dude's trip to the unfortunate land. Even though it's strongly ruled by communist government, doesn't mean it's forbidden to go there. Well, at least because I'm not an American as NK is one of the country that shows a great anti-America attitudes. From the storytelling, it sounds that NK is pretty left behind. Socially, economically, or technologically. He even said being in NK feels like in 1950's. While the whole world is going forward, NK on the other hand is crawling back into the stone age. Ok, it might be too exaggerating, but from the pictures he showed us, it really looks that everything is venerable. Why I chose NK as a holiday destination? Because by then we will get the chance to see the real living in a country where the government oppress their people strongly. And it could glorify our understanding to be thankful of what we have. It teaches us the value of humility.

2. Omaha Beach, Normandy
Normandy was the concentration of Allied Troops' landing in 1944 during the Operation Overlord to liberate Europe from the grip of Nazi. With some 326,000 troops from Allied forces, Normandy was one of the bloodiest battlefield known in our modern history. The first wave of the liberation was happened in Omaha Beach. Another place I'd love to go is Pointe du Hoc. The liberation showed that bravery -no matter how small or big it is- could change the whole world. For me, visiting Normandy might teaches us the true meaning of valor.

3. Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Most of us have known the history of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These two Japanese cities were bombed in 1945 by U.S.A. and marking the end of WWII. Thousands of people died within seconds after the atomic bombs were dropped on them. In both cities, we could still see the ruins that left from the bombing. Standing quietly just like a silent witness of something that is dreadful. Frankly, being there could give me a chance to honor and commemorate the victims. And perhaps, we also could learn that such calamity would never happen again. From the ruins and what are left, we might be able to understand more about compassion.

4. DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)
For what is standing between North Korea and South Korea, DMZ also is one of interesting holiday destination for some people. Acting as a clear borderline that divide the land that once was one country, with same origins and culture. DMZ offers more than just a place to visit but also the crystal clear sign of the dispute. There is a room in DMZ where we can find a soldier or military police from each party. They can stand for hours, as indication of each country's present. Anyway, it's always best advised to visit DMZ from South Korea. Different than its counterpart, South Korea has always been one of the most attractive holiday spots after Japan and Thailand. DMZ can give us the little glimpse inside the dispute that is preserved, be it for good or bad reasons. Should we surrender a peaceful future for something that is not even tangible? However, from visiting DMZ we might be able to taste the meaning of sacrifice.

5. Tibet
Why Tibet? Because two things, I love quiet place and mountainous landscape. I heard that in Tibet you can feel yourself so close to the nature. The tranquility can give a deep peaceful feeling, where we also might realize that humankind came from nothingness. From quietness. From peace. That is why we should always cherish the amity of the world. Peace can teaches us about the goodness of spirituality. I don't mean in religion context but as human's spirit.

Whew, ok at last I've completed my entry this time. I've always wanted to write such posting. It's not because I want to brag what I know about world's history. But because by visiting those places, it won't solely allow me to see the world, it will also open our eyes. Learning to be more beholden of what we've had in the past and we are having now. I hope by reading my blog, we can learn much from each other.

"I am a part of all that I have met."
Alfred Lord Tennyson - English poet

Congrats!

For the last three weeks, four of my friends have been blessed with lovely and cute babies! One of them is Jeffry Setiawan, he is my supervisor aka team leader. His newly daughter is Vanessa Patricia Renata. He turned up at work one day with the biggest smile we've ever seen! Hehehe..

The next one is Stephanie, one of my closest friends. She and Sam name their son: Sergio Jaco Rachmat.

Third one is a funky couple, Miracle & Firdaus. Their son's name is Fernando Firdaus Widodo. I believe he will grow up and familiar with cars and big bikes from his dad's hobbies hehehe..

Last but not least is a cute daughter of Novie. Her name is Vaneska Maira Lee. Exotic name, dare I say.

Congrats guys! I believe your kids will grow up to become great people and great personalities just like their parents. Really, I can't describe how happy I am seeing all my friends are blessed with such cute and lovely babies. We'll see them as a better generation. Once again, congratulations and God bless we all! Suddenly I'm feeling so old hehehe... now they're gonna call me "uncle" soon! Yay! LOL.

“Only mothers can think of the future-because they give birth to it in their children.”
Maxim Gorky