Escapism
is a form of mental diversion from difficult thoughts, emotions, or situations through immersive activities or fantasies. According to psychologists, escapism has its advantages and disadvantages. When used mindfully as a breather, it can lead to positive results. Contrastingly if one extremely relies on it, escapism can give detrimental outcomes. I am no pundit on this field, but I'm glad to share that I turn to it in moderation and when opportunity knocks. Admittedly my being an "escapist" had a repeat on December 9, 2025 during our trip to Canberra — Australia's capital.
Giving ourselves copious time to eat our breakfast unlike the day before at Holiday Inn Potts Point (HIPP), we anticipated our train ride in Australia with gusto. The exhuberance compensated for the discontent from the not so gustatorily satisfying meal. Try asking my sister Cristy too. *e-laughs*
HIPP’s food might have not earned them five stars from Cristy and me, but the room and its staff’s service deserved the highest rate. I left generally gratified in this branch unlike at Holiday Inn Financial District seven years ago. *rolls eyes*
Booked instantly, my carpoolers and I headed to the Central Station, Australia's largest and busiest railway terminal.
It was a short-distance transfer for us. We arrived ahead of our companions.
The vast space and distinctive interior, which blends historically significant elements and innovations, would surely make you gasp and scramble for photo-ops despite the photobombers. Yup! We didn’t waste any nanosecond.
Truly, Johanna's pre-booking and -payment of our trip made this tension-free. We checked in our pieces of luggage and similar to the airport procedure, they were weighed but this time also measured.
Only Dan’s luggage exceeded the size requirement so he had to carry it with him inside the coach. After triple checking our train’s departure on the platform display, we explored the station for awhile and continued with our picture-taking, "sa-Vogue" style. Teeheehee!
There was no boredom in waiting, and there was no reason for a "meh" attitude here. Our mental and emotional sync might have been at work afresh. Surely it would have led to a shared presentiment that this railway journey would take us to an awesome dimension.
Hence, when the coach pulled in, we had all the patience while it was being sanitized. I was given a moment to observe our co-passengers who were mostly standing already. Silently, I admired the cool deportment and fashion sense of these locals especially the elderly.
Cleaning over, we eagerly entered the coach. Then, whoa!!! A septuagenarian-looking male was already occupying my seat. Well, it was a simple case of confusion though initially there was a little insistence that it's his. Hehehe. Requesting respectfully to double check his ticket in my discernible accent (LOL!!!) with backing from Johanna's own twang (LOL, LOL!!!), I found out that I was indeed the rightful occupant. He gentlemanly apologized at once and transferred.
Hmmm...partly I liked my seat because I didn't have a seatmate; however, I didn't have a window at my right so I wouldn't be able to see what we'd be passing through. Likewise, my left side offered a limited vision of the scenery since it was partially blocked by the row of commuters.
But honestly, I didn't make a fuss. When the train began to roll, I sensed that it would be one of the most pleasurable trips in my life. If I were placed there blindfolded, I might not even immediately suspect that I was on a train because of its soothing clatter. The ride was so comfy and smooth that I slept like a baby. It was the very instance when I left any conflicting feeling behind me. I did escape! It was even in full throttle. Predictably, I felt relaxed and rejuvenated when I woke up after almost two hours of undisturbed slumber.
The train had stopovers so passengers got off and got on. Expecting to have a four-hour trip from Sydney to Canberra, I knew there would soon be a vacant seat so that I could move to it and see the view. Thankfully, it did happen!
Train service was excellent! For a minimal delay, their apology was profuse and sincere.
I timed our trip and I think we’re only behind by eight minutes which was perfectly fine because NJ, who’d be fetching us, was still a few meters away from the station.
Since we obviously couldn't be accommodated in his car because of our bulky bags, only Dan went with his son, and the rest of us booked an Uber separately to Meriton Suites.
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Johanna's handpicked Canberra “residence” exceeded expectations! Without fail she knows what fits our preferences. Hahahaha...
When our intense delight subsided, we had fully paid attention to our hungry stomachs. Food delivery to the rescue and it was express!
This fast food with its big size and palatable taste calmed our tummies before we went to dinner, hosted by NJ's foster parents and his "mistahs" (military slang for PMA batchmates) that Tuesday. Our first socialization in Canberra, I anticipated it’s going to be legend.
Photo Credits:
Dan Llasos
JD B. Llasos
Johanna B. Llasos
Jai M. Levantino
No comments:
Post a Comment