This is the conclusion of the story I wrote 4 years ago when I traveled to the States to visit relatives. I was motivated to write the final chapter because of my Twitter moots, @starlitewoman, @ddon722, @Vickie7BTS, and @2ndgradearmyot7, I owe it to them that I gained the courage to close this chapter of my life. Thank you, guys!
So, let me get back to my story. For the rest of the two months that I vacationed in the States, my aunts and I went gallivanting and road-tripping. We went to Vedauwoo, to Mount Rushmore, to the Crazy Horse, and also explored the rest of North Dakota.
I wanted to feel real ice in my hands, so my aunts took me to Snowy Range, where I first touched snow. I had the surprise of my life when I realized the snow on my feet was the same shaved ice that we made for one of our most popular desserts in the Philippines – the halo-halo.
My aunts wanted me to witness a concert in the States since I missed the BTS concert a few months before I arrived.
Hence, they brought me to the Tim McGraw concert where I enjoyed country music. I was a Kenny Rogers fan too.
This concert was a part of the celebration of the Frontier Days in Wyoming. There was also a Free Pancake Breakfast where my Aunt Fe and family feasted on delicious pancakes.
My aunt said that it was only during Frontier Days that there were traffic jams in the city.
We also went on a gourmet trip, tasting various types of cuisines. It was a delightful adventure that I would never have experienced had I not traveled to the States.
During the long trips, when I looked up to the sky, it seemed I was back in my country, riding along the highway to some distant place.
I mentioned this to my Aunt Minda, and she said, as a matter of fact:
“The roads are better here, though.”
Her statement was true.
But at dawn or sunrise when I look up at the twinkling stars, the moon, and the skies, I can imagine myself looking at the same heavenly bodies in my cramped backyard in the Philippines.
I am looking at the same sky, although from another angle.
The world is just a piece of this infinite Universe.
This view is a good picture for Namjooning, I thought. The BTS boys enter my thoughts every now and then in my various experiences.
Whenever I entered stores, the first items that I looked for were BTS merchandise.
And they always said, they were sold out.
I was wondering why they didn’t get enough stocks to sell.
I met with Airel many more times afterward. We updated our news about BTS.
When their newest CD album arrived, Airel was the first one in the queue to buy them. It was quite pricey to me because I always convert the dollars into pesos. Hence, I had no option but to forgo buying it as well.
The day for me to depart has finally come.
All the family members gathered for one last party. My Aunt Minda’s yard was beautiful and perfect for the occasion; with the blooming flowers, the sparkling, small waterfalls and stream, and a hammock.
I had fun bonding with her grandkids and the rest of the family.
I traveled back the way I had come; to Denver and then to LAX. My sister was there to escort me up to the gate.
I journeyed back more comfortably and more wisely as I have learned the basics already.
Four years had passed, so I can’t recall all that had happened. The memories are no longer vivid.
When I finally landed on Philippine soil and was back with my family once more, I looked back on my travel to the States as a gem and a valuable journey that may never be duplicated.
I have encountered BTS, indeed, on the following occasions:
1. At the airport, when I encountered a fellow-ARMY that I was not able to talk to.
2. At Walmart, when “Idol” came into the speakers while I was shopping.
3. At Walmart, when my Aunt bought the BTS book for me.
4. At Airel’s room. She is a loyal ARMY with a massive collection of BTS memorabilia.
5. Airel’s video footage of BTS concerts she attended.
6. Airel’s BTS music collections.
7. Airel’s family is an ARMY family because they are all supportive of her BTS adventures.
8. Whenever I view fascinating landscapes and structures, I remember Namjoon and his love for Mother Nature and the arts.
By the way, the aunt who was supposed to be with me on this trip had finally traveled there this July and she and my sister just arrived this October.
And guess what? I have another gift from my Aunt Fe – another BTS book – “Beyond the Story” – the book that I have been pining over for months because I didn’t have the budget to buy it.
My Aunt Fe bought it for me and sent it through them. She’s an angel. She knew I would love it!
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it!
AWESOME!
God has some ways to make people happy.
I felt like I won the lottery. I can’t wait to read the book.
Perhaps, in the future, I could travel to one of the BTS’ concerts and that will be an ultimate journey for me. I will keep my fingers crossed.
Hence, with that happy note, I want to close the chapters of this story.
Borahae!
N.B.
Here are the first chapters of Finding BTS while Traveling
