Distorted Reality.

by Tara Moynihan (United Kingdom (Great Britain))

A leap into the unknown Indonesia

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As I leave the Banana bar, the air in Gili T becomes stronger and my senses are heightened. My friend Bonnie is sat to my right. We are sat opposite our new friends, Ant and Nat. Travelling brings a sense of familiarity with people you have just met, I find myself comparing my new friends to people I know back at home; I feel like I have known them forever. I get the desire to laugh, that uncontrollable, belly hurting, laughter . I can't stop. We start laughing altogether... "We are in for a crazy ride" Ant said, whilst metaphorically strapping himself in and holding tightly onto his beanbag. The four of us all lay back enjoying the stretches of pink sweeping across the sky. There are people around us yet we are encompassed in our own bubble of bright images and intense conversations. Nat waves to a local on the other island, whilst I sit back amazed by the ever-changing tide of the sea which now ties into the setting sun. Everything around me is luminous and I am the happiest I have ever been. The sounds of the local prayers become more pronounced and louder. I turn to Bonnie and mention how weird is it is when a book you are reading becomes reality. She giggles. We have been reading 'The Princess' about about Saudi Arabian Princess, the only thing becoming a reality is the sounds of the religious chants and the stifling smell of incense. We tell Ant and Nat the story about 'Chop Chop Square'. It's a morbid subject but we are still laughing hysterically. Reality is blurred. A challenge arises as it's time to go to the the toilet. Right now, I can only compare the thought of this journey to climbing Everest. I stand up as looming faces cackle over me, I am out of my safe zone. I cross a busy road, darting around objects coming at me from different directions like I'm in a video game. I enter a restaurant which is having renovations done but I feel like I am in a fun house. The floor is moving beneath my feet and my image is distorted in the bathroom mirror. I am freaked. I race back to my humble abode on the beach, vouching never to make such a dangerous journey again. Time is moving so slowly, but I don't want this feeling to end. An elderly Indonesian man passes by, selling some bow and arrows. His body seems elongated and his smile reveals gaps into oblivion, a world unknown. The conversation between the four us continues to flow, I try to look at my phone but my hands become disconnected. It's dinner time. We arrange to meet Nat and Ant back at our sacred spot for drinks afterwards. We hop on our bikes. making our way back to our Homestay. Overworked horses dart in front of us, tree's grab onto my ankles in a bid to slow me down. This is Jumanji. Bonnie and I race through the dusty tracks. When we arrive back, we take it in turns to shower. The shower is like a waterfall slowly sobering my mind. As we make our way back to the meeting point, we see two figures waiting. The warm evening air dances around me. Ant and Nat are waiting for us, our visions become clearer. The effect is wearing off as we reminisce about the crazy ride we just had . "Shall we go back for more?'' I ask. The sun sets and I return back to reality. Gili T, my heart is forever yours.