We're not doing it because it makes sense
Dramatic sunset at Pizzale Michelangelo, Florence, Italy
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Most people think of me as an organized and neat person. Look at my work desk, room or even wallet, everything has its place and they stay in there. A lil' fascist. This projection of neatness is psychologically empowering.
I travelled to Italy alone. Solo backpacking - it sounds cool. My laissez attitude would often land me up in making impulsive decisions and then, off I go to foreign places.
During the trip, there were moments of loneliness, tiredness, sublime whatever etc. It's a basket full of emotions, and that is not easy to translate into words. It was not fun getting lost in the middle of Dubai, where temperature soars up to above 40 degree celsius. It's not cheap to get lost in Italy when a short bus trip alone costs $2.40 SGD. Truth be told, I didn't talk much during the whole trip. I went through hours of not talking.
Loneliness is amplified when you are in a large crowd of people you don't know.
There were many solo travellers as well. And I can't be representative of them. But too often a time, you'd find many of us (solo travellers) just sitting at the bar, having a beer, reading something, watching clouds and people.
I find solace in this quiet solidarity.
Italy was like GEK1025 (Reading Visual Images) and AR3222 (Theory of Western Architecture and Urban Design) coming alive. There were buildings that I really love, such as the Pantheon and Florence Cathedral. The best episode of the whole trip was at Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, where you can get (relatively) cheap ice-cream and a super uber fucking fantastic bird-eye view of city. And of course some churches seem to be out of proportion there. They are lovely nonetheless.
It wasn't difficult to see Singaporeans in Italy. Look out for crumpler bags (+crumpler imitations) and NLB guidebooks. I'd always find myself learning more about Singapore when I'm NOT in Singapore.
As much as I'd like to think that I am an independent, free-spirited, laissez sort of person; as much as I'd like to think I am undeserving of companionship; as much as I'd like to think that I am incapable of taking care of someone else, I think I want to have a person to walk on the world with me.
Florence, Italy
Florence Cathedral, Italy
The Pantheon, Rome, Italy
As usual, highlights on http://the-cheesecak.blogspot.com. Or on my facebook, If you are already my friend.