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Why travelling is the best teacher & what I've learned in Indonesia



I haven't mentioned this on any of my social media but I spent the last 2 weeks in Indonesia. I was based in Bali and also travelled between islands. I was beyond excited for this trip because it was my first time travelling to Asia or even outside of Europe!

I realized that travelling can teach us a lot about ourselves a long time ago, but I have to say that this trip was the most meaningful and beneficial one I ever took.  It wasn't that big of a surprise, I knew that I'd experience a full-on culture shock as soon as I leave the airport and was excited to see what will come out of this new adventure.

Today, I'd like to share with you some of the things I've learned or realized, thanks to Indonesia.

I spent the majority of my time in Bali, a picturesque island that became a top travel destination in the last couple of years. The dominating religion in Bali is Hinduism, the world's oldest religion according to many scholars. If I were to describe it in three words based on my observations, I would say it's peaceful, full of respect and festive, with holy ceremonies taking place in Balinese temples almost every day of the year.

What really struck me about the Balinese culture are the values and beliefs these people hold. These have a foundation in Hinduism but cannot be fully attributed to religion, it's all in the Balinese culture and mentality: people over there place a really high emphasis on values such as family, community, gratitude, faith, and prayer.



I'd say that gratitude & faith are the two things I was able to take out of my trip. The local people are grateful for every new day, and see it as a new chance, a new beginning. They thank God for food, health, and shelter (by way of floral offerings) things we often take for granted. Of course, it might be argued that their world is a little more simple and they're less distracted by material things, which gives them more time to reflect on life and pray. But that's not necessarily it - I think it's all down to time management and the values you hold.

I feel I have a busy enough life but I don't see why I wouldn't be able to dedicate 10 minutes daily to express gratitude, think about what I've learned in a given day, what I'm happy about, etc. and this is something I will hopefully start doing soon!

Apart from that, the trip has given me a clear mind. I was able to forget about my worries for the 2 weeks I was there and became more aware of my surroundings and the present moment, which I've learned to appreciate.

So to sum it up, I think travelling is important and opens your eyes to new things and feelings. We can learn so much from other cultures and often use this knowledge and skills in our day to day lives.
What was your most memorable trip or a trip you feel taught you the most?

- Primavera

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