Germany Immersion Trip 2010 (020510~220510)

Today is the Singapore National Day (happy birthday!) and also the last day of my school holiday for AY10/09 Sem 2(sob...).

By looking back, it was a very very fun and unforgettable school holiday. Night Safari, diving, studying Electromagnetism 1, Singapore Zoo and NUS Rag Day aside, the most memorable program that I had during the holiday was this wonderful Germany Immersion Trip (GIT).

If I were to talk about the programs and places that I have visited during GIT, it would take me at least one week to complete the job because it was a 20 days trip!

In fact, I just want to share with you what I have learnt and perceived during the trip.

As you may aware that I would be alone most of the time: I signed up the diving course alone; I prefer to watch movie alone; I went to Japan for backpacking alone; and, of course, I signed up this GIT alone, too. The idea of "to-be-alone-throughout-the-GIT-trip" has rooted in my mind long before I sign up for the trip and I am "well-prepared" for it: I had borrowed the "Munich and the Bavaria Alps" and downloaded all the traveling information from Wikitravel for Munich and Gottingen. All this information and travel guide are essential when you are traveling alone. I guess I am the only one in the group who brought all this information along and none of the members ever consider to be alone throughout the GIT. To me, the real freedom has to be alone. It is because by being alone than you can go wherever that interested you immediately and change the traveling plan anytime you want- no strings attached. By being alone, you can also do whatever you want without any "restriction" from your friends. Example, smoking. Your friend may ask you to "go away" when you wanted to smoke and complain that you smell awful when you get close to your friend. Therefore, I have perceived that "the real freedom has to be alone" due to the fact that human is no Buddha and there is always something that we cannot tolerate form each other no matter how close we are.

Nevertheless, after the trip, I realized that a total freedom can never guarantee all the happiness: it can never provide you the joy of sharing, especially the "photo sharing" after the trip. Sometimes, taking a photo with somebodies is really much better than just taking the photo alone or just the scenery alone. By looking back at the photos after awhile (the longer the better i guess; say, 10 years later) the mixing "feeling" that "erupt" in our heart is something really different as we compare with the "lonely-self" photos. A "lonely-self" photos may taste like Coke but a photo with somebodies may taste like coffee Latte.

I guess, in order to have the "total happiness" for a trip as well as after the trip, sometimes we really have to be alone and sometimes not to be alone. And of course, do not take this favor (from your friends) for granted and we should possess the correct attitude towards your friends.

Last but not least, thank you Lynette, Shi Hua, Yong Wai, Da Yang, Jun Kai, Alvin and the rest of the folks from GIT for your "enlightenment" as well as your patient, especially when I lose my temper when I wanted something fast, with me throughout the trip.

What a meaningful, memorable and precious once-in-my-lifetime GIT 2010.