In front of my office building where we usually sit to have a break, I was on the phone with someone in Paris who have no idea at all what Jakarta is like. It was a usual evening in a place with nothing special and interesting at all when he suddenly said he can hear the sound of birds on the phone. I tried to pay attention and to my surprise the sound did exist. It was something I never realized before. Minutes later, there was sound of simple music coming from the street, I explained it was someone selling ice cream on a bicycle and it comes with the small speaker playing some sounds. He said it was cute that ice cream is sold with some music playing. "It must be beautiful there in Jakarta", followed by my deep sigh.
Sometimes, if not always, it takes a foreign sense to be able to really appreciate the present and the little details that come with it. And I think it's also why people keep chasing novelty. Finding new things to be enjoyed daily. Which is why I am still chasing that "novelty".
ps. Photo is my favorite church in Perugia.
