There are verses in the Bible that talks about Hedonistic life. Eat and be marry for tomorrow you will die and for some reason this got to my mind when I was having my Company paid holiday in Cyprus.
I left my pregnant wife and lovely little boy in the afternoon of November 3, traveled to Leeds to meet a brother and sister in the community and a fellow consultant. (Oh I left a calling to attend a quarterly coordinators meeting as well with the YFC also to mention). From Leeds we were picked up by a generous person who offer to give us a ride to Gatwick airport at around 11:00 pm on the same date.
We got to the plane at around 7:00 am the next morning, traveled to Cyprus for 5 hours. Not having a single minute sleep all night, as soon as my back touched the passengers' seat, I was wasted. Woken up by a hungry tummy up there somewhere, I decided to have a cup of coffee. I had a in-flight "brewed" Starbucks coffee for £2.50 and if I am being honest my wife makes coffee hundred times better that ready mixed coffee poured into a little cup with color green label on. I think it is disgusting to have a label like that and doesn't emulate the brand true service.
So at around 2:00 pm (Cyprus time +2 from GB) we landed at Larnaca Airport. I tell you what, even I was a little bit tired and still half asleep, that airport looks like alot better than the NAIA, Philippines.( Sorry to say). I walked out in this very lovely weather, nice and just about right temperature of 21 degrees Celsius. The typical Cypriot language is like hearing Bisayan people I couldn't understand a thing but I couldn't careless. I am in Cyprus what would I expect? Its natural that they speak their language. One thing is for sure, I am not in "Hartlepool coldy weather".
From the airport, we have to traveled by a bus that the Hotel had arranged for us. It was warm weather and it brought me back the times that I have to travel from Buendia to Batangas in an ordinary bus because that's all I can afford back then. It was beginning to feel the warmness a little bit and sweat is starting to comedown under my armpit. I don't want that to happen especially in a bus without air conditioning. The bus driver drove for about half an hour in the tune of Greek music. It wasn't that entertaining but better that nothing.
And there we arrived into this big hotel and in one of the televisions in the lobby says, welcome to The Golden bay Hotel, and I thought this is rather nice hotel. I was given the room number but when I got to my room, it was rather nice, the view was fantastic but the room was just average for a 5star hotel, I was expecting a little bit more.
6:00 pm that day and everyone is gathered outside having a cocktail party, I had a few shoots of local brandy and vodka. It wasn't too bad. After that we went to get our most awaited dinner. It was buffet and I suppose it is eat all you can and it is indeed. I was bursting, I think I sinned there a little bit. I was border line in gluttony.
I had a very early night that night after having something to eat and a few shoots of brandy I head up to bed.
The next morning was "do your own thing" day. I had my breakfast and joined with 3 people I originally traveled with. Lindon, Rowena, and Paul. We rented a car and visited some places in the city. Cyprus reminds of the ancient time when Romans and the Roman Empire is ruling the world. Although it is a modern day city now, it has a feature of an old, historical city. You can see them in their landscapes, their buildings and architectures, their culture. It is not just a country of beaches and warm weather but a country with so much story to tell. Their marina, that has been used transporting goods and modes of trading of the ancient times, their pottery products that originated way back 350AD. This amazing part of the history is very close to my heart.
Back in the hotel the following day was business meeting and recognition of people who has done well in the business. I was not called because I didn't do too well. I was sat there and thinking this people is very proud of themselves. They are achievers, they have done extra mile in order to get there. At the back of my mind was envious, I could do the same. I can be like them. I could be achieving something too. But most of the time My alter ego will out-thought that thinking big time.
Come the evening after the usual cocktail night, was a sumptuous meal with these people again. And it was Italian menu, to be honest, my tummy was shouting he had enough so I just had a few little bits of the food and just head to the bar and ask for some brandy and coke. The more I can get alcohol in my system, the more I can enjoy this last night of stay in this nice, lovely country.
For the last four days of my stay in Cyprus, I experienced on how to enjoy the abundance of life in material way. I was enjoying it. The taste of the expensive wines, the top people in the business, the luxury hotel, the free accommodations, the warm weather, the lot. I was beginning to think of the future. I thought this was life. It's about success, achievements, money, and lifestyle.
The following day, it's time to head home. The hangover of this luxury holiday is still in my head and I was dreaming that someday, I could have the opportunity to take my family and be able to afford to give them the luxury of life that I have just experienced.
The holiday has been a kind of experience, but after a week, I was at the CFC National Leaders' training and planning. I don't know if this is a way of God reminding me of something. While sat there listening to the talk, the sharing, and enjoying the company of my fellow leaders in the community I had a realization and turned to be a reflection.
I was reminded of a life in secular world. I was reminded that, that holiday might have been fun and enjoying and luxurious and abundant but was it fulfilling? Was there a sense of great joy after all? I don't know. I was not so sure. Again, I am in a situation wherein I can't really acknowledge that there is a sense of joy from the experience yet again, I can't deny that It was a good experience.
If I would analyze it, It was a bit of Hedonistic way of life. The experience is telling me that while you are here, life should be enjoyed and should be maximized. I totally agree. Tomorrow we will die and our time is this earth will perish. We will be forgotten, we will belong gone. And sometimes, I was confronted of the reality that who cares after all when you are gone? I am haunted of the answer that NO ONE probably would care. I am nothing like president Obama who will be pictured and that memory will be hanged on the wall for years to come. I am nobody and will not be remember. So I have to enjoy life as it is seen now for tomorrow might be too late.
Yet this battle in my whole being is not resting. My heart is not giving up without a fight.
I will have so much experiences. I will be confronted of so much challenges but I think, my heart will not tolerate to live a life without God.
I guess...Paid luxury holidays like this is good but I am constantly reminded that life is not about this, It is about going back to the basics and that is simplicity and love because God is simple and He is loving.
Have a good week ahead.
