The Most Unforgettable Trip

by 61202林庭伊

Swaying palm trees, white sandy beaches, and the boundless ocean are what attract tourists’ eyes. Magnificent gorges, bizarre landscapes, and soaring mountains are what fascinate visitors. Blooming flowers, leisurely country sides, and a fine afternoon are what people aspire after to escape from the world of stress and competition. Nevertheless, those tourist sights are nothing more than scenes on postcards to me. But for the meaningful trip in last summer, I had never been convinced that how tremendously a trip could impact on my insights into life.

“No! I want to go to Kenting with my friends!” I shouted and reluctantly got into the car. After I realized the destination of our summer trip, disappointment and hatred immediately filled in my thoughts about the poor and inconvenient village. “My brilliant summer vacation is going to be destroyed!” Little did I know that the old woman would appeal to my interests. My family planned to pay a visit to the long-standing temple, and there I saw her. She carried a hug bag of food and shared them with her needy neighbors and stray animals. What stunned me the most was that she appeared so poorly, too. Out of my curiosity, I asked those who had just received her assistance and obtained an even astonishing answer. She had lost her family during a frightening car accident several years ago! Experiencing such kind of tragic challenge of the confusion between living and death, she conquered her sorrow and determined to spare no efforts in helping the needy. I was deeply struck by her dedication and selfless mind. Miraculously, the loathing of this impoverished village vanished away. I felt so ashamed that I used to be conceited and held contempt to the rural place. The tide of gratitude and contentment soon swept over me. Despite my comfortable living condition, I had a barren heart inside. The story was like a spring rain that nourished my heart and the seeds of appreciation for what I have and who I am started to germinate.

The most unforgettable trip is not always in a prominent tourist site. Even in a petty village can transform one’s arrogance to gratitude.