My project for course: Writing Exercises: From the Blank Page to Everyday Practice

19 Wed July 2023

I have always loved traveling. Ever since I was three years old, I would accompany my grandfather on his adventurous trips to different places. He had a devil-may-care spirit that inspired me to explore the world with curiosity and courage.

One of the most memorable trips we took was to his farm in a remote area. It was 1991 and I was nine years old. The farm was peaceful and quiet, except for the occasional sounds of animals and insects. At night, we would watch TV with my grandmother, who was a kind and gentle woman.

One night, as we were watching TV, we heard a loud crash outside the house. It sounded like something had hit the ground with great force. I asked my grandmother what it was, but she didn’t answer. She just told me to go to bed and not to worry. I obeyed her, but I couldn’t sleep well. I kept wondering what had caused the noise.

The next morning, I found out the truth. There was a crowd of villagers outside our house, carrying a dead body on a stretcher. It was a motorcyclist who had lost control of his bike and plunged into a deep pool next to our house. The accident had happened the night before, as we were watching TV. It was a gruesome sight, but we all watched in silence.

That was the first time I witnessed death up close. It made me realize how fragile life is, and how precious every moment is. It also made me appreciate my grandfather more, who taught me to live fully and freely. He passed away a few years later, but his spirit lives on in me. I still travel whenever I can, following his footsteps and his motto: “The world is yours to discover.”

cover image: Photo by Tomasz Filipek on Unsplash