CEBU, Philippines - “Paris!” my twelve year old daughter yelled after seeing Eiffel Tower on a notebook cover while we were doing back-to-school shopping on a weekend in June. “What’s with Paris?” I asked, seeking explanation for her obvious excitement. “Well,” came her reply without any hesitation, “it’s where I’m going someday.”
Great! Just great to hear such confident reply from such a young child. It got me dumbfounded for a while. I tried to pull my senses back together and kidded her, “Just make sure I’m not paying for it.” Then I got blown away again – by her even more definitive “Of course not!”
Any parent would rejoice to learn that her child has plans, at least. More if the plan is something like “seeing the world.” It’s a good thing she has set herself on something, and that she knows what she wants.
There’s more to the story. Her eight-year-old sister would not be outdone, and blurted out, “Me, I’m going to New York!” I smiled, and wished she’d tag me along. Oh, the little joys of motherhood.
I have not seen as much of the world as I would want to. I’ve only been out of the country four times, so far. I’m more of a local traveler.
I got to see practically all the centuries-old churches of Bohol before they crumbled to the ground during last year’s earthquake and had come so close to the tarsiers. I had experienced rafting on the cool but raging Cagayan River before a strong typhoon changed the course of the rapids. I had seen an exhilarating view of Baguio City before its beautiful mountains would yield to the ongoing housing developments; although traffic was already terrible then and the area already becoming over-populated.
For the many, like myself, who are not ready to embark on a grand tour to Europe or the Americas – for one reason or another (financial constraints particularly) – there are other things related to travel to contend or busy with for the mean time:
•Collect travel books and magazines. Visit old-books stores to get them cheap. It’s easy to find something nice for less than 100 pesos. Some items may appear a bit outdated, but places don’t change really much through time. Krakow, Poland is still there; so is Mexico or Guatemala.
•If you’re techie, use the internet to go to any place you want. The internet is a good alternative to travel books and magazines because internet content is almost always current. You’ll see updated articles, photos, and videos every time. There are travel sites that walk you through every place, with information on travel and accommodation costs, as well as points of interest.
•Get a passport. Many years back, a friend invited me to a leisure trip in Thailand. A dream vacation definitely, and since it was only a side trip as she was scheduled to leave for the US in two weeks, we had to make the trip over the nearest weekend. That was when I realized I didn’t have a passport! I missed the chance.
•If wishing to go abroad for a major event – say, the FIFA World Cup in 2018 ro the next Olympic games – the waiting time may be used for getting everything in the right order. Canvass hotel rates or make early booking to get a discount. Also list down all the other things you want to do on the sides while there. You may want to try the local cuisine, or there may be special activities to try too. And, of course, start saving up for it.
•Prepare the necessary gadgets or equipment you’ll need on the trip. For example, a monopod comes in handy when taking selfies in front of the pyramids of Egypt, or at the Stonehenge in England or in going up Machu Picchu in Peru. Bring a good camera; you may not get another chance for a photo in the places you visit.
Don’t give up on that dream vacation. Luck has mysterious ways of leading us right towards what we most want. You may win a trip-for-two to an Asian or European destination during your office’s Christmas raffle. Or you may stumble upon a buried treasure while sweeping the yard.