Navigating Mass Rapid Transits in Overwhelming Cities

Navigating public transportation can be a challenge when it comes to a new city. Especially when we’re not regular public transport users. Singapore used to be the training ground, with only two SMRT lines and integrated buses. Now, the neighboring country has six lines with over 140 stations. My personal favorite stop, Dhoby Ghaut has become so overwhelmingly large and confusing. The busiest station back in the day, City Hall, now shared the crowd with many other interchanges.

Since then, me and Dudu have experienced public transport, subways in particular, around the world. From London’s Underground to New York's infamous MTA Transit. Wandering around Seoul’s Metro, going up and down Bangkok’s BTS and getting lost in Paris’ Métropolitain. Not to mention KL’s Rapid Transit, Metro de Madrid and the Prague Metro. Recently, we added Los Angeles MTA to our list. Our goal is to try the well-known Tokyo Metro.

Every Subway has its own complicated map, plus language barrier if we’re traveling in non-English Speaking countries. Some of them we travelled back to a decade ago when Google Maps wasn't as advanced, and metro cards aren't as easy to get. So we do have to rely on maps and one-time tickets.

Collecting our “Transit” stories, these are things we learnt the hard way. Some of them are so basic and we were warned that when we nostalgically recall them, it becomes an inside joke.

Check the nearest exit.

Traveling Bareng Anak Itu Banyak Manfaatnya

Katanya, traveling sama anak kecil itu percuma. Soalnya si anak tidak akan ingat. Memang bener begitu? Ya, waktu saya tanya si Dudu, yang sejak usia 5 bulan sudah wara wiri keliling dunia sama saya sih, jawabannya hanya ingat waktu ulang tahun ke-4 yang dia tiup lilin di taman. Selebihnya tidak tahu.

Tuh kan percuma.

Eh tidak juga loh. Meskipun anak tidak ingat pernah pergi jalan-jalan, ada banyak manfaat yang bisa didapat dari traveling sama anak.

Tiup lilinnya udah, ini lagi potong kue

Yang pertama tentu saja BONDING.

Kapan lagi pergi berdua, jalan berdua dan menghabiskan waktu bersama-sama tanpa disela kegiatan lain? Saya kalau traveling memang hanya berdua Dudu dengan gaya backpacking. Mulai dari road trip ketika dia kecil, di mana dia duduk di carseat, hingga saat dia lebih besar sedikit kita keliling naik kendaraan umum atau ikutan open trip. Perjalanan jadi seru karena ada temannya, dan kalau anak tidak ingat kan tinggal ditunjukkan foto-fotonya ketika dia sudah lebih besar.

Dudu selalu appreciate kalau melihat banyak foto saya dan dia traveling berdua. Tidak perlu mengingat perjalanannya untuk berbagi memori bersama. Begitu anak sudah lebih besar, saya bisa cerita banyak soal trip kita. Atau ya dia bisa baca sendiri juga di blog ini. Hahaha.

Pushing Start Button

I remember playing video games with my siblings when I was young. It always started with pushing the start button. You pushed it when you're ready to start playing.

My game doesn't have a start button. It just played and I had to "survive" the levels. Ready or not, the game is on. Although for those who knew me and Dudu, the word "survive" is an extreme exaggeration. And as you read this blog, you probably realize that too. The only thing we have to survive is a school subject called mathematics haha. 

Our adventure game has only two players: Mama and Dudu. Just like Mario and Luigi, Sonic and Tails, Donkey Kong and Diddy, Zombie and ... Kpop? Oh well. We went through hills and mountain, through jungle and collecting coins as we stroll along. That's why it was a date, and has always been a date until today. I blogged for the sake of keeping track and updating people about our life, especially those who happen to be far away. Entering the 10th year, I realize that our dates need a blog of its own. 

I love going places and my parents are probably aware that their only daughter prefers to be on the road than home. I would jump on the first plane that took me anywhere. Planes, unfortunately it's not trains or buses or cars. My son, on the other hand, is a real homeboy. Despite being so kind-hearted to follow his Mama around, he would prefer staying home, watching DVD or playing video games. We found peace somewhere in the middle and this blog is the witness.

Dudu was born in the United States of America, in a small town called Columbia. He moved to Indonesia when he was a toddler and settled down in suburban South Jakarta. When he started school, we moved north of the city center and started a new life in a high-rise building. Since then Dudu had his own 5-star-rating for hotels we stayed in, which include the panoramic view from the window. 

The requirements are:

1. Wi-fi, preferable in the room as well.
2. Swimming pool. 
3. Staying above the first floor.
4. Great view from the window (to town, city, beach, mountain, etc). 
5. Bath tub in the bathroom.

Bonus star if the room has connecting door, if we're travelling with other family members or friends.

Oh, we have a 'third wheel' tagging along sometimes. The 30-year old teddy bear, mistakenly being called "Panda" who loves to play tennis and staying away from sunshine so he's not tan. See, we don't mind company. Panda just started his own instagram account. so please check it out.

Unlike my own adventure, this blog has a start button. I bought the domain when I'm ready and pretty much determined to consistently post on my blog. We already passed 10 levels without losing much of life, I hope we can pass the rest. So you'll find the old post written (or translated from my other blog) before this so-called "first post of the dotcom." I like to think of it as reminiscing journey back in time, a record of how we passed the previous levels. 

So, welcome on board. Don't forget to fasten your seat belt. The flotation devices are under your seat. Hope you enjoy the flight.