I grew up in a place where it took me a 7 minute-walk to reach a nearest church. I studied in a city where churches are part of its landscape. I always suppose that a church is always within reach, anywhere.

 

When I went to Costa Rica, the nearest church was a 15-minute walk. The church is literally located downtown of Ciudad Colon since I had to walk down from my house going to the church which is the center of town.

 

Like the Philippines, Costa Rica is predominantly Catholic. I even went “church-hopping” one weekend in the neighboring cantons of Piedades and Sta. Ana and city of San Jose. I noticed that churches in Costa Rica put a barrier after a few steps from the main entrance facing the altar. I think the purpose is to avoid disturbances from outside and distractions from outside as well. Thus, from outside, no one could see the altar and pulpit. This set-up discourages parishioners to stay outside while attending masses. Well in the Philippines, many people stay outside while attending a mass, aside from the church is already crowded, probably because they can see the priest and ritual from outside anyway.

 

I think for Catholics, visiting a new place is not complete without dropping by in a nearby church for a blessing or prayer.

 

Now that I am staying in a predominantly Muslim country, I have come to extend my reach to seek out what I am used to see and visit. In Indonesia, mosques are in all places. Behind my house, there is a mosque. Halfway from my house to the busway, there is another one. Outside a mall, beside a hotel, across a cathedral, one will have plenty of choices where to go if one is a Muslim here.

 

As a stranger in a foreign country, I did not know exactly where to go. That caused me to shell out Rp 17,000 (P 80) or less than 2 dollars to buy a map of Jakarta. With the map, I searched for gerejas (churches) near my place. There was none. But I saw a number of crosses in the map. That saved me.

 

When I saw in the map that there is a cathedral in Jakarta (Of course, there is!), I immediately planned my first weekend to visit it.

 

After few days in Jakarta and an hour bus ride, the cathedral was the first church I saw here. It looks magnificently imposing. Its gothic-style is a beauty to behold. Something pricked my chest when I stepped inside the church compound after having difficulty of crossing the street from the opposite side. I stayed outside the majestic structure for a while, marveling its presence within my reach.

 

It was Saturday afternoon. There was a photo shoot infront of the church by a couple wearing wedding dresses. They looked so happy together, so natural together, in person (I think much more in the pictures. They say that pictures are only reflections of us, and not the best reflections, I think).

 

The couple reminded me of….. ahhh.. love… it makes me wonder what I have been missing all this time.

 

Then, the door opened. Entering, I passed by the couple and smiled at them, appreciating their presence. At last, I was inside a church. My restlessness calmed down. A certain ethereal feeling enveloped me. I needed to sit. But I knelt. I was overwhelmed by the weight of my body. I had walked for almost an hour to reach the place. Silently, I prayed, thankful of the moment, of the whole walk, of many things, pouring my heart out to the One I visit most.

 

Walking outside, I did not look back. Smiling wryly, I brought the cathedral with me.