remember to smile: JMJ Lisboa // GMG Lisbona 2023. In The Beginning

This year I had gone through many disappointments, too many "no" and "no-reply" in my life. My wife and I were overjoyed when our unborn Baby John came to our lives but he only stayed in the womb for nine weeks and he left us without saying goodbye. All these were kind of depressing and dewastating. I was trying hard not to focus on all these unpleasant issues but it was not easy and it kept holding me back. It needed so much love and strenght from God for me to carry on and fight on. After thinking about the expenses and this and that, I finally enrolled for this JMJ Lisboa on April 2023. It was a bit last minute, that was why all the preparation and research had to be done in three months time. I would like to give my life some spark and ignition for me to overcome my emptiness by joining this pilgrimage. The moment I enrolled for this JMJ, I felt so motivated. I started to jog and workout everyday to make sure I was fit and strong enough to accomplish this mission, just like what they said: "fit for the kingdom." On 29th July 2023. I final packed my luaggage at 1:30PM. This time I didnt left my wallet and passport behind but I forgot to bring shampoo for hair and body. 3:15PM my friend and me took a Grab Taxi to KLIA. When I was checking in my luggage at the airport counter, the ground staff said that my air ticket name did not sync with my passport's name which meant my air ticket name that I filled in was not a complete-name like my passport. That moment I was so panic and all my excitement just gone in one second. I made an international call to Etihad Dubai to make the changes but they said it was too late to change. I called to a friend who was working in Expedia, He was very efficient and trying his best to help, he told me that it was too late also, changes must be made 24 hours before the flight. He asked me to cancel that ticket and request for refund and purchase a new ticket immediately. So I followed his instrcuction and straight away I purchased a new ticket. I still remembered the feeling of unable to board while all my friends were boarding, the journey of going back home was super empty and disappointed but I was very grateful that my best friend immediately helped me to purchase the new air ticket without hesitation. The next morning, I re-go to airport at 4:30am. My new ticket would be departing on 30th July 2023 at 7:00am. Many shit continued to happen at KUL, BKK and AMS boarding rooms like the boarding-pass couldn't go through due to access-denied, I had to stand a side like waiting to be surrogated for one-two minutes then they manually opened the barrel for me. The flying journey was beautiful with good hospitality, I talked and drank a bit with an Amsterdam man. Eventually I reached Lisbon terminal at 10:55pm. Before I touched down I saw the monument of Christo Rei(Christ The King) with wide arms opened, just like Jesus was waiting to embrace all of us. I took a Metro train to Parque station and I was staying at Avenida Park Hotel which was 250 meter away from the Metro Station. I put my luggage to the room and wanted to walk to the Cinco rooftop bar. I walked to Marques de Pombal, I was wandering around there due to I didnt have internet service to display the map and the Marques de Pombal square was so huge with so many exits. After searching around for one hour plus. I decided to go back. My energy was gradually running low and the weather was getting cold. My right eye ball was a bit red and sored at that moment which caused by the dryness from the long flying duration, when the wind hit on it I could feel the stinging feeling which was very uncomfortable and painful, I knew I couldn't stay outdoor any longer but have to go back. I went back to my hotel eventually. The next morning(31st July) which was a Monday, I woke up at 8AM. I washed my laundry and hung it at the balcony. When I came back to checkout from this hotel. I realized my underwear was disappeared from the balcony, I looked around then I found out my underwear was blew away by the wing and landed at the neighbour's balcony. Luckily it was not hard and dangerous to jump over to get back my precious underwear. By the way, the wet laundry dried within three hours under the summer sun.

Departing from KLIA

Transit BKK/AMS. An Amsterdam unfriendly mid-age-man walked across me while I was taking this selfie, he purposely ramped into my sling bag and said: "excuse me." By the way, we were heading to the same boarding room. I faced some problems at the boarding room when they were checking my boarding pass, they asked me a few questions as if they were having doubts with me. I was like am I going to stop and grounded here but thanks God it didnt happen.

My first time, came to this AMS terminal. FYI, Heneiken is made in Amsterdam.

Metro Station: Parque

I took the Metro Train transport. From station Aeropot to Parque. I was so impressed by their Metro Station's art and design. The next morning and it also my first morning in Lisbon. I woke up at 8AM. I washed my laundry before I went out for breakfast.

Outside of Avenida Park Hotel which was beside of Parque Eduardo VII

This jacket went to Krakow and Panama

My friend and I went to Hygge Kaffe at Rua Tomas Ribeiro. The breakfast was good, a very cozy and relaxing restaurant regardless you are sitting indoor or outdoor. I liked the renovation of the restaurant with the material of wood. They used the rectagle shape of wood in vertical form as an element of art.