Dream

You know what.

I've been talking much about me loving to live my childhood life over and over again. Toys, cartoons, shorts, cat socks, kawaii backpacks, weird cutesy stuff in general... but never had I mentioned this one thing about childhood, that had always been a dream I desire to make true since I was a kid.

This one thing I had always wanted to see. This one thing so far off reach, that I thought it wouldn't ever come true. And after 10 years of claiming my extended childhood life in this blog, I would today tell you what this one thing is.

Well it's the

True Theme Park

I know, that sounds sad. But no, don't get me wrong. Don't mistake "Theme Park" with "Amusement Park" okay, because of course I've been to the latter so many times during my childhood. I was talking about THEME PARK, a park, themed, to something, that of course has elements of kiddy stuff I've always loved.

Indonesia has none of such kind -not until several years ago when finally we have a quiet big theme park in Bandung, but not the international one. We have a quiet amusing amusement park, and yes, it was entertaining enough to fulfill my childhood standard but, it wasn't themed. It has no connection to any cartoon, any stuff I usually saw on TV, and my imbecile heart demanded more. So yea, going to a real theme park, remained a dream to my young self.

Then I saw it assembling.

When Universal Studios opened its door in Singapore. It became my first ever theme park experience. Taking photos with Woody Woodpecker, sliding The Mummy rides, flying with Transformers coasters, and bringing home real Sesame Street dolls it was like, UNFORGETTABLE! But I was only 20. And being an ambitious, restless and never-seemed-to-be-satisfied young adult as I was, still, my heart said that it wasn't just the ONE, yet.

And it grew.

Two years afterwards, when I found myself in the midst of Tokyo hustle. Since the very first second I made myself sure that I'd be going to Japan, I couldn't stop planning to visit Disneysea. Tokyo's very own Disney theme park. And it's Disney, for God's sake. Something I always claimed I devote to. Something I could relate to much better than any other thing in this earth. Something that contains memories of my childhood more than what my photo albums could show.

My first intercourse with... Disneyland.

That day was one of the best in my life. Exploring Disneyland like a true kid, seeing characters I've always loved and buying all the magical things my money could affort, I was like, speechless even until the second I'm typing this shit. I was carried away by the visit indeed, but I still didn't feel like it was enough. Of course it wouldn't be enough, it's THE theme park I've always wanted to visit. Time was too short and that's when I realized, it wasn't yet a dreams come true.

And it went on.

Another two year had passed, and I earned my chance again during the trip with my company. To Hong Kong. And this time, it was the real Disneyland. The classic counterpart of Disneysea, with pure Walt's magic across the park. It did more justice than Disneysea. I got to ride more rides, watched more shows, buy more toys -and it was the best buy I've ever committed in my entire life! and most importantly, saw the final firework. This time I swear, I thought I've had enough. I've felt like all the waitings, all the grievings and believings, had all been paid off. But apparently it didn't end there.

And universe wanted my heart to see more.

Only three months apart, I arrived in Australia. Not just Australia, but Gold Coast. The country's Theme Park Capital. Where one of theme parks I've always desired to visit since I was in pre-elementary school stood upon: Warner Bros. Studios. Bugs Bunny, Superman, SCOOBY DOO oh God! It was much more relatable than Universal Studios no offence, and to be a child again there, only with myself, I ACTUALLY SCREAMED MY WAY INTO THE PARK!

Probably the best roller coaster ride I've ever tried in my life.

Again, I thought that was it, at least for the year. But the dream I've always made for the last 20 years or so was just too big to stop there.

And the best thing ever, happened.

France. And Paris. And what was the first time that came to my childish head, when I told myself that I was actually going to Paris? Yes of course, Disneyland Paris. The core of all Disneyland in the world. The mecca of Walt Disney magic, and the happiest of all the happiest places on earth. It was a hassle to reach the place, but I'd kill myself if I gave in to that matter.

To actually set foot there, I still couldn't believe myself even until now. Even until I checked again and again all the photos I took there, and all the characters I encountered, and all the unnecessary yet heart-fulfilling stuff I bought. I literally visited every single corner, making myself sure that if I missed even just one little thing, no matter how small it was, then I'd miss it forever because only God knows if I could ever return there.

I was alone during the visit, again, but I think that was the best way to do it. Because I could appreciate the place however I wanted. Because I could choose any rides, stopped anywhere, cried to anything that touched my inner childhood emotion, however I felt like. Because by this way, my heart could feast the atmosphere however long it desired.

And so, my dream fairy tale ended there. For now. Of course I wanted to feel more, and of course there are more places to conquer but, I've always kept it a secret.

Because as Cinderella said,

"If you tell a wish, it won't come true."

But after last year, after I realized that wow, I visited three different world-class theme parks in just a year—a number even higher than what I've achieved for the first 23 years of my life, guess I'll take it slow for now.

I need to just sit back first,
Then tell my heart later that,
I'm ready to fulfill more dreams.

Because a dream, is a wish

My heart makes