6 Weeks a Traveler
I miss sinigang.
I did it. I finally did it. For a brief moment in time, I stepped into the shoes of a jetsetter. Is that what you call it nowadays? I’m not sure. I fail to be chronically online, and whenever I do, whatever I find disappears the second I scroll past it. Four countries in 6 weeks, including a transpacific flight that I mostly slept through.
Yesterday, I flew back to Manila where I settle down for a few weeks before my next flight to my parents’ hometown. How is it that I am almost always in transit? It’s as if the things I like, the people I love, aren’t within arm’s reach. The holiday season is upon us, I say to myself, my mind completely lost in the sea of loud, heavy traffic before me.
The only time I truly felt it was Christmas was when a workmate, bless his beautiful heart, sang a Christmas carol at our celebratory dinner. It was our last night staying at The Westin in Desaru. The dinner was at the hotel right across, and each market was to sing. I, the designated singer, was of course, last. He came before me and rendered me speechless. It really is Christmas, I thought, furiously blinking away the tears. How could I go after him? I cannot. I sang a few musical pieces but his earnest performance stuck with me. That is how I want my Christmas to sound, feel like. Like a warm hug after a long way home.
Here are 15 thoughts coming from my whirlwind of trips.
Luck may find you waiting outside a password-protected bathroom in the form of a man with the 4 numbers you very much need.
Not all milks are created equal. Unfortunately for me, Canadian milk is TOO GOOD that it rendered me lactose intolerant.
Gray herons are regulars in the Cheonggyecheon stream. There is no need to spend that much time staring at one. There are more as you walk further down the stream.
Nothing cures jetlag faster than a bottle of gummies from your local dispensary (thank you, Toronto!).
Winter is the perfect time to take that Niagara cruise. No one else is unhinged enough to get splashed by literal ice water.
Always ask if they’ve joined Hyrox first before saying yes to that morning run along Desaru Coast. At least I hit my 3K PR that day.
Myeongdong is NOT overrated! I will die on this hill!
I long for a world where drinking alcohol is the exception, not the norm. I say this as I happily sip a sugar-bomb of a mocktail to “blend in”.
Do not bring 3 pairs of pants to Singapore. I promise you, you will only use 1 of those and it will just be to and from the airport.
No matter the time you depart/arrive, NAIA will find a way to inconvenience you, so breathe and make sure to bring with you your favorite snack.
Why are designer lamps such as HAY, Louis Poulsen, and Verner Panton, more expensive in the PH than in Singapore?
A night of engaging with newfound friends? Fun. 4 full days of being with them? Fun…
Olivia Dean is that girl!
Seoul 🤝 Me = Bread
I could live off teh tarik and nothing else (well, maybe salt bread from Seoul).