Sense of Being Independent

7th May, 2011 - First time in my life I had the most longest train ride all by myself without any adults/ friends. Can be said as more indepent ride of my life because the journey is from one country to another country. I took the KTMB from Tanjong Pagar, Singapore to Segamat, Johore, Malaysia. I board the train about 8am, expected journey was about 3hours.

It was a pleasant ride with the steam engined train which was used since 1980s. As I remember, the last time I traveled by the old KTM was when I was about 4 or 5 years old with my parents to Singapore. I cant remember that event so well since it was like donkey ages ago. But, these recent traveled journey is still fresh on my mind because I was really excited to travel all by myself. I could feel that I have grown up and I can take care of myself.

Well, this train journey is has given me lots opportunity to open up my mind in seeing thing more independently. Yes! I can feel that I have been independent since I stepped my foot in Singapore (20.10.10). Besides, travelling by train has given me a good experience to travel with the old steamed engine train before they change it to the new kommuter train (expected from July 2011).

Plus, I had a chance to ride in the local/ budget train from Gemas to Singapore since the Express Train tickets was sold out. The journey was expected to be 5 hours and the ticket was ONLY RM9. For RM9, I got the same conditioned seat as the Express Train (which I paid for = SGD$21). I was shocked on the variation of the ticket cost. Though it was a 5 hour journey, during the ride, I have actually admired all the small towns between Gemas to Singapore. I had a good view of all the small villages, rubber plantations, oil palm plantations, small towns, old wooden houses, old building, even the 1980's cars and bikes. When come to see all these buildings, wooden houses and cars and bikes, I just felt a sense of peacefulness which big cities with tall building has. I'm sure people in these small towns lives a peaceful, humble life. They wont have to go through the hassle lifestyle, meet the jealous people, deal with hard headed people.

If was given a chance, I would like to go back to the country side, get my own land, build my own wooden house, have little to eat, more humble, honest and friendly people around me. At least, there isn't any competition of achievements, comparison or stress. Uhmm... Lets wake up from my dream and face the reality!!!