Common People Trip

“A good holiday is one that is spent among people whose notions of time are vaguer than yours.” – J.B. Priestley



I have lived in Jakarta for over five and a half year now and only yesterday that I went to Thousand Islands or Pulau Seribu. Yes, my life was boring and adventure-less. But as a former struggling medical student , it’s expected to have such life. Well now that I finished med school, the real crazy adventure shall begin.

When finally my med school finished, I run to my old roommate who work as a tour guide. Lucky me, I got the trip that I was always dreamed of. A weekend getaway to Pulau Bira (one of the island in Thousand Islands). We were in a group of 8 people who I never have never met before the trip. There were 2 Indian guys, 1 American, and 5 Indonesians. To make you have a clear vision, our age range was started from 22 to 45.

I have never met as chauvinistic as one of the Indian guy. He was born and raised in Punjabi. He has this beautiful Aryan look with long and curl eyelashes. At first, I told him my experience when I visited India last year and we had a very fruitful discussion. Then, he kept  talking about how wonderful his country and how marvelous everything there. It was interesting for the first few minutes but I got annoyed as he kept talking and repeating himself. But as soon as I changed the topic, he turned to be fun again. Thank God!  

The other Indian guy who I thought would be more ‘normal’, was too horny for everything all the time. He kept telling a dirty joke and discussing yucky sex things with the guys in front of the girls. It was so uncomfortable and awkward. I was not interested and until now still am not interested in how guys thing about girls sexually. Seriously, there are thousand of cool topics to be discussed with us, girls, but that sex thing is not our favorite! When he talked about normal things, he could be those guys who energized his surroundings. He never seemed tired of talking and laughing. He could tease anyone even he just met them few minutes ago.

I considered the American guy was the weirdest of all. He kept talking and complaining. When we shacked hands, he immediately landed a kiss on my hand. How weird was that! I felt like I was in one of Jane Austen’s book at that moment. Later on, I learned that he was drunk. He turned out to be really nice and surprisingly very wise. We had a really good talk. He had this very wide perspective on many things. He barely prejudiced and was a really good listener. I guess he developed those abilities after studying Buddha and philosophy for few years. He’s a true world wanderer. He has lived in various countries and picked up their beautiful culture as his unique character.

Two of five Indonesians in our groups are best friends, there is the guy and the girl. The guy was very good at all water activities. He went to the beach almost every weekends. He said the sea make him addicted.  Two days after our trip was over, he planned to go back to Thousand Island for another snorkeling and diving. The girl is as adventurous as the guy. She’s the kind of people who live her life to the fullest. She even plan to go to another trip for mount climbing and river rafting just a week after our trip.

the 8 insane people

The other Indonesian guy was also as interesting as the others. He denied to eat the food prepared by the resort as he’s in currently on a diet. He has undergone his diet for 2 months and has lost at least 6 kilograms. Look at that spirit! He is a really sweet guy, the kind of guy who will take you home, open the door for you and treat you a dinner. I know that since he did all those stuffs when I went back home to Jakarta with him. But the strange things is that he’s still single until now at his 30s. Do we all girls tend to not be with the sweet guy anymore?

Last but not least is my old roommate. Though she has a name of flower in Latin word, she’s as harsh as a gangster. She can pick up fight easily. However, she can be as adorable as manga character. She’s cheerful, funny and easily get along with everyone no matter who they are. She loves travelling a lot. She can spent few months in the road by herself and went home with lots of friends she made during her trip. Unlike other people, she doesn't dream of decent job or high title. Her true aims is to travel the world.

It was my first time to travel with complete strangers with random backgrounds and it was the first time when I was not only enjoying the nature and attractions but also enjoying the companions I had. It was one of those trip that will keep you smiling when you remembered it. Thank you for the great time!