The Road I Took: A Journey to Semarang and Beyond
Trip to Semarang was just for fun, to unwind from the daily routine. Semarang is not an unfamiliar city, but this time, the trip felt different. There was a sense of excitement that’s hard to explain-maybe because it was a long-planned moment, or maybe because the trip itself felt like a symbol of something bigger.
I’ve always believed that every journey has its own story, and I was right. From one stop to another, I realized that this trip was not just about the places I visited, but also about the lessons I learned. About time, change, and how we continue to evolve as humans.
First Lesson: Time Can’t Be Repeated
From the beginning, I realized that this trip was a moment that could never be repeated in the same way. Time moves on, and we can’t return to the same point in exactly the same circumstances.
The journey begins at the station, a place where everything feels alive. The sound of departure announcements echoed, people passed by with their suitcases and backpacks, and I could feel the pulse of bustle that is typical of a place like this. There’s something appealing about the train station-it’s always a place of farewells and meetings, a place where new stories begin.
After the train departed, I sat enjoying the ride while looking out the window. The changing scenery-from the small houses by the tracks, to the green rice fields, to the hills in the distance-made me feel like I was in a travel movie. There’s something calm and soothing about watching the world move from behind the glass of a window.
After arriving in Semarang, our first destination was Awancosta, an aesthetic place with a cozy atmosphere. Here, we enjoyed a variety of beautiful-looking little cakes – almost too pretty to eat. There were tiny éclairs with glossy cream toppings, brightly colored fruit tarts, and other cakes that looked so tempting.
The ambience was also favorable, with soft lighting and the faint aroma of coffee wafting through the air. We sit back and relax, savoring each bite while chatting about many things. There’s something nice about moments like this-where we can forget about time for a moment, just focus on being together and enjoying the passing seconds.
While I was there, I realized that these moments are something unique. I might be able to go back to the same place, order the same cake, even sit at the same table, but it will never really feel the same. The people I was with might be different, my thoughts might change, and my feelings in that moment won’t be able to return exactly to what they are now.
From this, I learned that time is something very precious. We can’t repeat or bring it back, so the only thing we can do is appreciate it fully.
Second Lesson: The World is Vast, Don’t Be Afraid to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
After enjoying our time at Awancosta, our journey continued to Kota Lama, one of Semarang’s icons full of historical buildings and an atmosphere that takes us back in time. Walking around here feels like stepping into a different world. Old buildings with large windows and exposed brick walls create a distinctive classic atmosphere. Along the streets, there are vendors selling a variety of unique items-from small paintings, vintage accessories, to trinkets that are hard to find elsewhere.
We walked into a trinket shop that caught our eye. The shop is full of small items that all feel like they have their own story to tell. There were keychains with Semarang designs, notebooks with retro covers, and postcards with classic views of the Old City.
As I wandered around, I thought about how vast the world is and how many things I have yet to see or experience. I realized that there are so many stories out there waiting to be discovered. If I stay in my comfort zone, I might never see of this-never experience the excitement of traveling around a new city, trying foods I’ve never tasted, or meeting new people who could bring a different perspective.
After our walk, we stopped to eat meatballs at one of the most famous places. There’s something nice about sitting together in a simple place like this, enjoying a warm bowl of meatballs while sharing stories.
Third Lesson: Independence is Important, But We Still Need Others
After eating the meatballs, before heading back to the station, we decided to stop by a gelato shop. The place wasn’t hot, instead it was cool and cozy, with simple but aesthetic decorations.
We all chose our favorite gelato flavor and sat together at a comfortable table. At first, everything was going well-I was enjoying my gelato, the calm atmosphere, and the casual conversation with my friends.
But then… the unexpected happened.
The waffle I ordered fell. Not the gelato, just the waffle. But still, it was upsetting! I was transfixed for a few seconds, between wanting to laugh or feeling annoyed. My friends immediately reacted with a mixture of laughter and sympathy.
“Gosh, how did it fall?”
“Well, the waffle was really good…”
Instantly, the relaxed atmosphere turned into full of laughter. I was still annoyed, but on the other hand I was also laughing. Sometimes, it’s little things like this that make a moment more memorable.
From this incident, I was reminded that no matter how independent we are, we still need other people-whether it’s to accompany us on a trip, share our happiness, or just laugh at silly unexpected events.
This trip to Semarang may have been a day trip, but the lessons I learned felt much bigger.
The first lesson is that time cannot be repeated. Every moment we experience is unique, and we must learn to truly appreciate it.
The second lesson is that the world is vast. There are so many things we can explore and learn if we dare to step out of our comfort zone.
The third lesson is that independence is important, but we still need other people. No one can go through life completely alone, and the little moments with others are what make life’s journey more colorful.
The journey is not just about going somewhere, but also about how we see the world, how we change, and how each experience shapes us. And who knows, maybe next time, there will be another trip that brings more lessons and new stories.
By: Asmara Pradita Adya Pramesti
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