Currently, I have a self-imposed travel ban. A ban, I don’t see being lifted anytime soon. Believe me, I’m happy with this decision that I’ve made awhile back. However, I do miss the rush, excitement, exhilaration, and confusion that traveling brings — from the planning stages up to the actual travel itself. In the meantime, will just share with you stories of some of my most memorable trips.
I can’t specifically recall when and how I’ve caught the travel bug. I ain’t complaining though, since this is a bug that’s so rewarding and refreshing at any given time. Maybe my Mom influenced me to travel, as when we were kids we’d often go on summer vacations? Or perhaps when flights were made cheaper and affordable for anyone? Or that moment when I realized early on as a kid that I want to become a Stewardess/Flight Attendant for the free travels? Whatever the when’s and how’s, I’m still so thankful I got the bug!
Seoul, South Korea, December 2014
This is a trip I took with my parents. A first for us to travel during the Christmas season, first international trip after several years (17 years?), and first time for us to experience winter season. Back in the day, Christmas season in our family is very busy and always not a good time to be out of town, much more out of country. It is because, we have a lot of food orders (my Mom’s side business) around this time. We were supposed to take this trip end of November on the same year, in time for my Mom’s birthday to be celebrated out of country, but we got notified by Air Asia that time that the scheduled flight will have to be moved. Moving it to end of December was our last chance of availing our booked flights, otherwise forfeited. Don’t think that Mommy and I didn’t have an argument with this, we so did!
I was the only one planning this trip from the flight bookings, visa applications, up to the itinerary — a test in my travel planning skills. I’m the type of traveller who likes to explore and immerse in the culture, city, and food. But with this trip, since I’m with my parents and they are a bit old and non-adventurers unlike me, I had to consider a lot of things. I asked help from my friend who owns Green Earth Tours and Travel (visit greenearth.com.ph for your inquiries) to book us our hotel, airport transfers, and day tours. This trip was really one for the books. More than all the firsts I’ve mentioned, I got to see my parents enjoy the trip I’ve partially funded. It was my way of giving back to them. 🙂
Ilocos, Philippines, May 2015
May 24, 2015 was the 40th wedding anniversary of my parents. At that time, Mommy had a scheduled PAMET (Philippine Association of Medical Technologists) convention that she can’t not attend. So in order for us to have a celebration on their 40th wedding anniversary, I thought of me and Daddy following her in Ilocos. Thankfully, Daddy agreed of going as it was also his dream of visiting Ilocos someday. Upon hearing my plans, my cousins (maternal side) and Mom’s brothers and Sis-in-laws, didn’t think twice of joining in on the fun trip.
As there were about 14 of us traveling to Ilocos, it was difficult to make the trip a DIY kind. So I’ve asked help again from my trustee friend of Green Earth Tours for the transportation (airport pick up and transfers), tours, and accommodation arrangements. Majority of the group wants to drop by Baguio, but we’ve been there in the past, so Daddy and I decided to take a not so early flight to Manila and will just meet with the group in Vigan. It was this trip that I got to bond with Daddy more and a first for the both of us to be traveling on our own together. 🙂 This trip didn’t start off right since Daddy is very time conscious, we were so early in the airport like 2 hours prior to our flight, only to be delayed for 4 hours. Good thing when we arrived in Manila, we were then able to ride a taxi going to the bus terminal to take us to Vigan. I was able to book us for the last bus trip.
This trip was a memorable one for me, for a couple of reasons. 1) I got to bond with Dad alone in the trip from Cebu to Vigan, 2) I learned how super patient my Dad is. He didn’t complain at all even with the delayed flight, bad food for him (we were given Chicken Joy as a “sorry” for the super delayed flight) since he doesn’t like chicken, 3) first for us to celebrate Mom and Dad’s wedding anniversary out of town, 4) first trip/travel with my cousins outside of Cebu which catapulted a now yearly bonding activity, 5) in this trip, we were able to visit a lot of tourist attractions that either we only see in postcards, movies or in our history books in school, 6) I was able to taste the local food in these cities and got to appreciate Philippine history a little bit more.
Mexico City, North America, October 2015
This was my first International birthday trip. It was also my first time to join in a Pilgrimage (for Virgin of Guadalupe), and first time to travel to the US alone. I followed Mommy there since she had an Opus Dei event which started 2 days prior to my scheduled flight. We’ve been convincing Daddy to go with us, but he didn’t want to.
I remembered, I was so excited with this trip since I will be able to eat legit Mexican food, experience the Fall season, and meet with my Aunt, Uncle and cousins (Dad’s younger sister and her family) in Chicago, Illinois, after. It was also Mommy’s first time to be visiting my Aunt in Chicago. However, during my actual birthdate, we got news from Mom’s staff that Daddy was weak and that his speech was starting to slur. So they brought him to the hospital for him to be checked, just to be sure; only to find out that Dad had stroke. What was supposedly a fun escape and bonding for me and Mommy, it turned out to be an unpleasant experience, with Daddy at the hospital and we’re very far from him, from home.
Anyway, we still managed to be present so as not to dampen the mood of the other people in the Pilgrimage with us. We’ve prayed and prayed and prayed some more for Daddy to be ok and for Mommy to be able to go home ahead of schedule. Mommy was unable to rebook her flight from Mexico, so we went ahead to Chicago and meet with my Aunt. It was in Chicago that Mommy was able to rebook her flight home with no rebooking costs incurred — awesome God’s work! 🙂 She then went home ahead of me, while I was left behind for almost a week. Memorable, eh?
“Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets.”
— Adventure in You
See, this is what I love about traveling, every travel is a unique story on its own. I still have a lot of travel stories worth sharing. I guess this deserves a part 2. Do wait for it! 🙂
Indeed, it’s true what they say, “Traveling — It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a Storyteller.” It’s so fun remembering all that transpired in every trip you take. You’ll notice that you get to know and understand yourself more every time, and improve your views in life, other cultures and peoples.
SingleBakedMiss by KiaraC 