Think back on your most memorable road trip.
Unfortunately, in the same period, I had some personal problems. It was nothing serious, but the result was like living in Dr. Jekyll’s and Mr. Hide’s lives. My mood was constantly negatively affected by a crush that wasn’t evolving as I wanted, and I couldn’t consider myself as personally and professionally wholly fulfilled.
Of course, I couldn’t forget my delusions while at work, but strangely, I succeeded in avoiding conflicts or negative impacts. In the past, similar situations were much more annoying because I couldn’t stop thinking and focus on my work. But, in that case, everything went relatively well because I was pretty satisfied with my job.
As I was part of an international team, and I used to meet my peers periodically in different cities, I eagerly awaited the communication of the next destination.
I was surprised when I read the email and discovered two meetings had been joined. There was also a more extended meeting in Singapore, and our American boss decided to organize our restricted meeting a few days before at a nearby location.
I had no idea about the place: Bintan, Indonesia. However, I saw the pictures of the venue, which was a typical tropical resort, and immediately called the travel agency to book my tickets.
I still remember the moment when I boarded the Boing 747 in Rome. It was like passing through a magic gate. I forgot everything immediately and started thinking about the trip.
Once in Singapore, I took a taxi to the Tanah Merah ferry terminal, and in about an hour in first class, I arrived at this green island with a temperature of at least 38 degrees Celsius (I left Rome in February with a maximum of 10 degrees).
A welcome service had been organized, and I was driven to the resort with a flower necklace and a smiling local guy explaining all the benefits included in my booking.
The day after was the first day of the meeting, and the first thing I did was fall asleep because of the jetlag. In the afternoon, I walked around, visiting a small zoo, a fantastic swimming pool, and a spot where it was possible to see the beach and a sea flat like in a painting.
I forgot all my problems and started thinking about what I had to discuss during the meeting. At night, other people arrived: my boss with her manager and a couple of my peers.
We had a relaxing discussion while sipping a few cocktails, and, at the end, we went to bed after having set the starting time for the morning after.
I couldn’t believe it! We had a complete package with all the benefits and some guided tours in a forest and a typical Indonesian village.
I can’t write down everything that happened during those few days of the trip. Still, it’s enough to say I was so happy and far away from my everyday routine that I enjoyed every moment of the journey and forgot my delusions.
I still remember that trip as my best one. Not because I haven’t visited other beautiful places but rather because it was like a cathartic process, an inner transformation that impacted my psyche more than any other thing.
I never returned there, and now I don’t know if it would work like the first time. However, this memory lives in me, and I learned that escaping any mental trap is possible. Not necessarily with a trip, but it’s possible, and the effects may be stronger than expected.
