Among many months in a year, February is always the special one. It's the month of love, reflection,and a birthday of special someone.
Last year this month, Covid-19 was starting to affect many countries but there were still lack of prevention measures in many countries. Not many were wearing mask not even care about it. But I was already prepping for the quarantine to hit. I was fully aware and prepare of what were to come. Then,the next month, total lockdown was imposed and everyone was paranoid.
Last year this month I spent my time with my mom traveling. I suppose, it becomes a new tradition. I always take her traveling during her birthday. Though it's hard for her to get a day off, she always managed to get two days off and we got to travel. This is also the month when I spent traveling before I won't see her until the next year.
Before pandemic and lockdown started, I was still having a chance to spend two times traveling with my beloved mother. We already knew that Coronavirus was happening but we shrugged off that part to celebrate her birthday. And even before that, I went to Chinatown with my friend on late February when Coronavirus was slowly gaining its popularity in mass media. My friends and I even joked about how we should wear mask and visit the Chinese New Year Celebration in a hazmat suit. We wore surgical mask that time, when it was still abundant. We also saw some visitors wearing N95 mask and we nodded to each other. Though the rest of the visitors were not wearing mask in a very crowded alley full of food, sweat and droplets. Honestly, writing this my travel feels so far away whilst it was only two months ago with my last travel being a month ago.
I suppose that's the perk being connected to internet and news sites 24/7. I was much aware of what's happening in another countries and potential world events. Unfortunately, I am in hiatus from that life. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
Looking back, if last year the strict measure was imposed, we wouldn't have this seemingly never-ending pandemic. I was in that crowd and it was suffocating. My friends and I were a group of people who already wore mask and bring hand sanitizer. It was a great experience that we also got to learn the history of Chinese in Yogyakarta.
Then some days after that, my mom came to visit me. Since she's a bit negligent about these things, I packed enough mask and hand sanitizer when she left home. Till today, my mom and I are feeling thankful because we can survive the pandemic as we heard many unfortunate stories from our neighbors.
Last year, I told her that on her next birthday we're going to travel somewhere far. But well due to corona, that didn't happen. Instead, today we visited this cafe nearby that I totally regret taking her there. Because generally during her birthday, I love to pamper her and taking her to expensive places or eating food that she hasn't tried.
Today, I feel a bit guilty for taking her to a lousy place. It was the only cafe in town that has good ratings that I have not tried. So, I decided to go there but oh well.... that place should have rated 0 out of 5.
When I entered that place, the floor was dusty. The cake display was empty, everything in that place look dirty. When I attempted to order an artisan coffee, the two staffs told me they can't contact the barista hence they won't be able to serve it. Then, I also asked them if they have any snacks, they told me they didn't even the menu looks very huge. When I glanced at the coffee bags on the shelves, they looked old and dusty. So, we left the place and move to the cafe adjacent to it which was also a disappointing visit. I really feel sorry because my mom had to eat out at a lousy place during her birthday. I told her that I'll take her to someone nicer soon.
Since we don't have motorbike nor a car, Ray was taking us to the place. After our visit in that cafe, Ray drove my mom first. Then, I drove with him and we visited my favorite bakery in this town. I always attach some memories to a place I visited.
During my mom's birthday several years ago, I saved up my pocket money to get her a big rainbow cake. That bakery was the only place in town that sold it and rainbow cake wasn't as popular as today. Today, after several years I went there again and I am much older. 馃槃
Honestly, my mom isn't fond of birthday cakes as to her, buying a cake is a bit wasteful. But, as usual she is always appreciative of things I gave her.
The cakes were pretty but they are identical. So, I got her something that seemed only a few in that bakery. I got her a cheese roll cake. I spotted there were only 2 left. I also got chocolate dessert box since I have not tried it. I generally don't like something too sweet and as expected, the dessert box was too sweet for my taste. But at least, I have tried it.
My mom seemed very happy when Ray and I came to her with the cake and the candles. Before blowing the candles, we asked her to wish something. And I hope, whatever she wished for came true. And for her, I wish my mom to have good health so we can always travel together in the future.
Mac
