Brave Soles

It is 12 midnight and I just finished packing my bag. In less than 4 hours, I will be at the airport again. Yey! Finally, I’m traveling! Though it seems there’s nothing new to it, there actually is. It’s different from all the previous trips that I had because for the first time, I’m going solo. It will just be me and my backpack. 

You see, I like to be always on the road. I like to travel; evidenced by my previous posts on my thoughts and dream of seeing the world. 

For 3 years, I still haven’t been to many places. And on those few where I have been, I was always with friends and/or with my mom. Don’t get me wrong, I love their company. So much that I’m looking forward to our trips on the second half of this year. 

I am just consumed by the idea of being alone in some place unfamiliar. 

I have been planning to do this since 2010. I have been following blogs by solo female backpackers that I’m slowly dying of envy every time. I have been researching and contemplating on which perfect place to go for my first trip. But for some reason (I refuse to disclose), not one plan materialized.

I’ve considered Sagada, Calaguas, Tagaytay, Baguio, Batangas, Dakak and even Tawi-Tawi. But it’s always either too near or too far, and oftentimes too expensive.

At times when I’ve got nothing to do, I always ask myself: How is it like? Can I gather enough courage to do it? Will I enjoy? What will I gain from it?

The answers to these questions are what I hope to discern when I get back over the weekend. 

This trip actually came unplanned. I already forgot that I booked a plane ticket from an airline promo last year. When I browsed thru my inbox, I saw a confirmation of my booking.  I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pursue it since there are a lot of things I’m expecting to spend on right now. I like to be really spontaneous but not on times when budget is a big consideration. It always is, anyway. So yes, I decided I’m going. 

I’m welcoming my birthday month with a bang! ;)

But it wasn’t easy telling people that I’m off for a weekend get-away, alone.

I’m quite surprised that although solo backpacking is a popular thing Westerners do, and at the same time gradually becoming common to Filipinos and Asians, I still get that open-mouth-fallen-jaw-crossed-brows look every time I initiate on the topic of my thoughts of going on a trip, unaccompanied.

You may ask why I obsess on trying to go on a trip alone when it’s so much fun to be with crazy friends.  I wouldn’t argue on that because I also have equally crazy friends. And I definitely enjoy traveling with them and doing crazy things on the side together. But isn’t it good to have some “me-time”, too? I am not sure but I believe it has been studied that spending time alone is actually healthy. It can help you reflect on the various aspects of your life, thus promoting mental, psychological, emotional and even spiritual growth.

Besides, my friends and I always try to have an escapade every year. I don’t think being on my own for some short trips would hurt. I practically live and work alone here in the metro, so what difference will it make anyhow? 

Yes I may come as noisy, naughty, and almost crazy. I can talk non-stop and I can laugh boisterously. But I also constantly seek for privacy. Albeit ironic, I actually find serenity in silence and pleasure in a day or two of solitude.

To quote a line from Kelly Clarkson’s song Stronger “It doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone.”

So imagine lying on a hammock or bench on some secluded beach while reading your favorite book and sipping your favorite drink.

Imagine biking around the temples in Cambodia while waiting for the beautiful sunset.

Imagine doing a yoga retreat in Goa, India. 

Imagine.

The mere imagination of it already brings joy to my senses. I still cannot afford a Cambodia or India trip though. The closest I can get myself now is beach bumming on some small island with a book or my journal while listening to the gentle waves and enjoying the stillness of the place.

As I close my eyes, I’ll take a deep breath; smile sweetly and thank God for these simple things. What a bliss, isn’t it?

So for those who finds me weird because I choose to travel alone, please know the feeling is mutual. In fact I find it rather strange how can some people think that way. I pity their cowardice and lack of independence.

But then again, they are entitled to their own opinion as I am entitled with mine. 

This is me. When it comes to the people and things that I love, I am one fervent soul.

And when it comes to my passion for traveling, I certainly have brave soles.

this is where I'm heading <3

Who Wouldn't Say YES?

I saw this from a link in Facebook and thought it was worth sharing.

Isaac Lamb's Live Lip-dub Marriage Proposal  

My eyes were misty after watching. I was like: "Awww, that man is so sweet. Swerte nung girl!

If being envious is a sin, please forgive me Lord for I (plus millions of other girls in the world) am jealous of how lucky this woman is right now. :D

Hayaan niyo na ko magpaka-hopeless romantic. Minsan lang naman. Haha.

The guy surely is a keeper. The time, effort and creativity he showed in preparation for this epic wedding proposal is beyond amazing. He's got equally loving and wonderful family and friends too. 

With this kind of man, together with his family and friends who's very supportive and happy for your relationship, what more can you wish for?

I bet no woman would ever say no. 

I may not be in any way related to them but I certainly wish them a lifetime of love and happiness. :)

*Credits go to the owner of this vid.*

One for Mama

Every time I think about my dream of seeing the world, I always ask myself the same question: When has this desire for travels started?

Just recently, I have come up with an answer.

One night, when I was younger, mama and I were watching a late show from a local channel and it featured some place in Europe. And then she said: “Matan-aw ta ni kay basi indi ta na makadtuan. Bisan diri saTV na lang makita ta ano tsura sang <insert place here>.” (Let us watch this because we might not be able to go there. At least we saw how <insert place here> looks like even just on TV.)

And then she laughed. I laughed too.

Oo nga naman, kunsabagay may point siya. Anlayo kaya ng Europe! Saka sobrang mahal dun!

But for some reason, I didn’t like how she sounded hopeless.

Someday, I am going there. I thought to myself.

Someday, I am going to Europe and the rest of the globe.

Someday, I am going to see the world with my Mama.

Someday.

We might be taking baby steps but we will get there, little by little.

I still have a lot of saving up to do. Just be patient, ma. And please save with me. Hehe.

For now, I’ve made a photo essay of our past travels together. This is not complete though, you know what happened to my external HD. Huhuhu.

Macau -  April 2010

Hongkong - April 2010

Bangkok, Thailand - June 2010

Las Casas Filipinas, Bagac, Bataan -November 2010

Panagbenga Festival, Baguio City - February 2011

Palawan - August 2011

Cebu City - October 2011

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - April 2012

Most of the pictures could have been gone, but the memories will forever live on.

To the most beautiful, amazing and ever youthful woman I know,

Happy Mother’s Day mama.

I'm looking forward to more travels with you. Stay healthy and gorgeous. 

Flowers from me - Mother's Day 2010

I love you.

Your stubborn travel buddy,

Aubrey

Because I Said So

I like the enigma of travel - going to unfamiliar places; getting lost along the way; sticking up with the budget; making hostels/hotels my home away from home; eating native food and interacting with the locals. I like the feeling of being a stranger. I like being foreign – that bizarre feeling of not knowing anyone and at the same time, anyone not knowing me.

Life is too short and yet the world is a big place. An entire lifetime will never be enough to see all the beauty this amazing earth has to offer.

I dream of setting foot on all 80 provinces of the Philippines.

I dream of circumnavigating all the 7 continents.

I dream of seeing both the old and new wonders of the world.

I dream of doing a pilgrimage in Holy Land.

I dream of bathing in the Dead Sea.

I dream of beach bumming at Maldives.

I dream of seeing the majestic Taj Mahal.

I dream of bringing out the kid in me by going to every Disneyland there is.

I dream of climbing up the Himalayas.

I dream of having my picture taken with the Eiffel Tower behind me – hopefully with my lifetime partner. Lololol.

The list goes on… almost endless.

I might be dreaming. But there is no such thing as impossible dream.

If you dream, DREAM BIG.

It’s free! So why limit yourself?

And to fulfill that biggest of dreams, it must be the most wonderful feeling – next to love.

Naks.

I might be nowhere near to reaching mine.

But I’ll get there.

Because I said so. ;)

Airport Encounter

Last Wednesday night while browsing on Facebook, I saw this link shared by a friend. 

https://www.facebook.com/notes/roxanne-lu/airline-bullying/10151033526310561

Albeit long, I decided to read the note because the title – Airline Bullying - piqued my interest.

I fly for about 6 times at the minimum to and from my hometown every year. But no, I’m far from being a jet-setter. In fact I’m a sucker of promo fares. Back in October 2010, I only spent P78.00 for a one-way airfare from Manila to Bacolod. Yes you read it right, seventy eight pesos only. The cab fare from Makati to NAIA 3 is even more expensive.

I don’t exactly remember when these promo fares started. It goes as cheap as zero as base fare. So basically, you’re flying for free! Except that you have to pay for the fuel, taxes and surcharges, terminal fees as well as baggage allowance. Indeed, almost everyone can now travel by air. Gone are the days when flying are only for the rich and famous.

Despite flying on a promo, I am fortunate for not having to experience such things as airline bullying or being bumped off from my flight. Or did I? I just simply did not allow it to happen.

I remember in April 2009, Holy Thursday, a friend and I had an early morning flight from Manila to Cagayan de Oro. I felt a little guilty because I woke up late but we still managed to be at the airport an hour before our 6:30am flight. We proceeded to the check in counter but lo and behold, the staff told us that it was already closed. It is a common knowledge that the check in counters closes 45 minutes before the flight. We were there an hour before. Why was it closed?

I kept calm and I patiently asked for an explanation. The airline staff in her annoyed tone answered back “Eh kasi overbooked po yung flight niyo. Karapatan ng airline na mag overbook. Kahit naman papasukin namin kayo sa eroplano wala din kayo mauupuan. Imomove na lang namin kayo sa next flight. Saka may libre naman kayong isang roundtrip domestic ticket eh.”

Ano daw?

I almost lost my temper. The way that she delivered her reply pissed me off. It was very sarcastic and unprofessional. I don’t like to think that it was because I looked like a cheapskate with my I-just-got-out-of-bed-look, shorts, strappy hiking sandals, and big backpack.

I know that some airlines especially budget ones tend to overbook. I do not like the practice and I’m definitely not tolerating it because as far as I was concerned, no airline rule was violated. We were there just in time, and there was no sign that the counter was already closed.

I told the staff: “Miss, I specifically chose that flight because we are following a schedule. We cannot afford to be delayed because everything else will be ruined. If you can tell me what our fault is/are, then by all means, bump us off on this flight. Apparently, you cannot because we both know there is none. And if indeed we are to blame here, why are you offering to move us on the 10am flight free of charge? FYI, I can afford to buy myself a roundtrip ticket to any local destination if I want to. Our schedule is far more important than your cheap freebie. No thanks. Call your supervisor.”

Catch is I delivered that in Filipino (Tagalog). As in malutong na tagalog. Hahaha.

I was thinking of two other friends waiting for us in CDO’s airport. I arranged for a contact who will pick us up at 8am for our white water rafting activity. From CDO, we were also scheduled to go to Bukidnon and Davao so I just cannot waste an hour or two.

Anyway, the crew was astounded I guess because she never said anything after that. She went to some guy whom I supposed was the supervisor. He looked our way but didn’t stand up. I concluded he did not want to engage in a conversation with a furious passenger.

She went back on the check in counter and said something on the crew beside her. She seemed busy with something and it was as if she was leaving her counter. She did leave.

But before she did, I told her “Anong oras na sa inyo? Wag mo kong sasabihan mamaya na boarding na at wala na kami magagawa. Bilisan mo at gawan mo ng paraan yan!”

It turned out she went to the boarding gate and offered a roundtrip ticket to any domestic destination for those two people who are willing to give out their seats and be moved to the next flight.

In the end, we were able to fly on that flight. We skipped the line on the final x-ray check up and we had to run to the gate. The plane was about to leave and why it was not surprising; we were the last ones to board.

Whew.

Lessons learned?

1.)    Be at the airport as early as possible if you’ve not availed the web check-in feature which was launched recently.

2.)    Know your rights as a passenger. Read all the fine prints in your ticket.

To the author of the article whose link I posted above, I salute her for maintaining grace and composure while dealing with such a temper-challenging incident. Good job Ms. Roxanne and I certainly hope it will never happen again. May it serve as lesson; at the same time precaution to passengers. May it also reach our airport/airline/aviation authorities to prevent similar events to happen in the future.



P.S.

Had I not been aggressive, I would have missed this. :p

White Water Rafting, Cagayan de Oro - April 2009

Postcards from Palawan

No posts from me for almost a week now. Writer's block.

Echos lang! Haha. :p

Since I'm not in the mood to write (or maybe  it could be the lack of inspiration. Naks.) despite the backlogs I have for this blog, let me share with you this entry from my college classmate slash travel buddy slash good friend, Romel. (Click for the link at the end of this post).

It has already been an annual event for us, with our other classmates and friends Venus, Godo, MJ and Ex to spend a week or less for a local getaway. This blogpost is about our Palawan trip in August 2011. There's so much to do there so aside from the usual city tour, we also ate crocodile meat and tamilok; scuba dived; biked in their boulevard; snorkeled at Honda Bay; watched fireflies; and of course, personally saw one of the world's new 7 wonders - the Puerto Prinsesa Underground River.

We first traveled together back in August 2010 in Bicol, with another friend and classmate Hyannie. Too bad she wasn't able to join us last year. We did wakeboarding at CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC); island-hopped and rock-climbed in Caramoan; and ziplined in Legaspi, Albay with Mt. Mayon as backdrop.

I know it's not really planned but I noticed there is always a beach in our chosen destination. 

Summer in August, anyone? :D

This year (guess which month?), we are set to invade Hundred Islands in Pangasinan, side-trip to Baguio, go hiking and spelunking in Sagada, and another side-trip to Bataan.

I cannot contain my excitement. This will surely be another great, and fun-filled trip with equally great and fun to be with friends! :)

Go here for Romel's more detailed entry >>> All my bags are packed and ready to go!: The Angry Birds goes to Palawan