Everyday's worth living for: Thank you September.

Thank you September.

The month of septembr is a blank on my blog. You see no traces of me, but it can’t be more misleading. Because it has been one of the most fruitful and busy months so far. What do you expect, when you spend one twelfth of the year in one of the most charming cities in a completely new country which speaks a new but exciting language. To add to the thrill, the last week of your stay, you encountered its biggest mega festival of all times: The Oktoberfest! (for which an estimated 6 million people flock to the city just to join in the party!).

The city is Munich, or Munchen, as the locals prefer to call it. The stay as been fruitful. Note, I did not say “wonderful” because it is far too one-dimensional to sum up my time there. There have been good and bad times, I have felt really low and experienced self-doubts too. But then, everything was worthwhile at the end. Many small or big things I did, which I could rely on looking back and feeling grateful for the decision to make this trip.

Made Great Friends
I am eternally thankful for the trip, or myself for signing up to the course, for the great friendships I have been blessed with through it. It is definitely the biggest take-away. Some of the people I met are really inspiring. Many are well-travelled.

Two very fun persons whom I spent a lot of time with are Pei who is a civil engineer and Mao, the most cheerful and positive person I’ve ever met (seriously). They are the classic specimen of modern day women: strong (in willpower), independent, critical and successful (according to my definition). Of course they are different in every other way, but both have experiences which really inspired me to do the same. Their companionship especially during the Oktoberfest period is the most important experience in my entire trip. And I can be forever thankful for that! For the positivity, the joy and laughter they have brought in my short stay there.

Travelled to Austria

So far Hallstatt is the most stunning place I have ever been to. Picturesque is the word. Traditions have a strong place in the heart of the Austrian town, and people live their lives the old way, oblivious to the tourists flooding in every day.

There are far more breath-taking places on earth that I haven’t set my foot on yet. I’m sure they shine better as an attraction, but what Hallstatt has is unique. The smallness of the town, its church and clock tower, together with many houses and boutiques were so beautifully lodged on the lake-facing hill. I plan to write one blog entry that will be entirely devoted to the Hallstatt experience.

Got drunk for the first time in my life!

This bit is another greaaaat thing that happened! The three girls, including me, we can just go on and on about this drinking night. Fun isn’t enough to accommodate all those good feelings that suddenly overtook my soul that night. It’s not euphoria, but another feeling I have never experienced before. Now I’m starting to understand why the idea of getting oneself drink it’s not bad. And its appeal to some.

It’s a chance to redeem your free soul from the unimaginative earthly happenings of day-to-day life. That’s how I felt that night. Totally freed (but still under control), dancing, talking, drinking. Have the greatest time of my life.

You see, I was sober enough to tell the difference in me. The tingling feeling when a strange (but strangely good) feeling overtakes you.

I felt happy. Simple bliss. It’s been hard for me. So hard to truly release your grip of control on yourself. People are afraid to be themselves, to do and say the things they want. To have fun in a way where they can just be oblivious to the world. Because nothing really matters.

I did just that.

Looking back, it’s one of the biggest steps forward in my twenty-two-year-long life. It changed my life somewhat. Because I know something in me has changed. In a good way. Something has grown inside me, stemming more from that drunken night, but also the overall experience in Munich. I’ve grown richer, because it’s broadened my vision a bit. I know what other things I can take on in life, like how it really feels to have a good drink with friends.

And it sure won’t be the last drunken night! :)