5 Lessons On The Road

1. It is so much fun travelling when you're young.

There's no perfect time to see the world than today. When you are still young. When WE are still young.  It's nice to be back after 10 years to the places you've been when you're younger. See if you still see the world the same way.  Has it changed? or have you? 

Youth is wasted on the young.
I plan not to waste mine. Some people my age are so eager to be adults. They waste time worrying about the future. I know some of us have responsibilities. But will you allow that to control your life?  We're gonna be young once. Just ONCE. Why not make the most of it. Have fun while we can.

Being a young traveller means you never have to worry of other people than yourself. You got almost everything to yourself. 

And I say, hanging around with people your age is much, more fun. When did you ever saw Boracay looming with old people? I mean, I know  its nice to have your family around on vacations but you have to agree that its much more fun with your friends around. People your age. People who have the same quirks as you do.

Nonetheless, I guess no matter where you are, sometimes, good laugh, good friends and good beer is enough. 
Good times!

2. How similar we are. No matter what age, race, or who you are.

Travelling a lot developed some of my skills, particularly talking with random strangers. When I meet someone, my questions are usually (if he's a fellow traveler) how long he's been on the road, where he has been and how long he plans to stay. And then the next conversation will be about family, work, etc. by then, I already establish a more personal relationship. I find people warm up when we talk about family. 

You think that people would be different because they're on different places but when you hear their stories, we're kind the same. Same problems in family, life, love, career. And I find that cool. Makes me realize what a small world we live in.

Same, same. But Different.

3. Greatest Lessons come from total strangers

I find some of my inspirations and life lessons from strangers. Strangers I meet on the road. Its different when you hear things from people than when you say it yourself. 

To meet someone you barely know living passionately irregardless of what they do is overwhelming. You get to ask yourself, am I like that? Am I living my life the way I want it to be? Am I living a passionate life? 

One lesson I got off from a stranger, simplify your life. Living in the city tends to confuse you on what the necessities and needs are. And the difference between the two. I find the lesson helpful. It made me see my life in a lighter way. I don't need to have things to be happy and contented.

And what I like about meeting strangers on the road is the kindness they show you. Not the kindness people show because they know you're a tourist. I'm talking about the genuine kindness. The kind that never asks anything in return. Makes you want to extend that kindness to other people. In a small, little way, makes this part of the world a better place. (Enter Michael Jackson's Heal The World)

4. Experiences are better than possessions. 

If people my age are saving to buy the latest gadget, I save for my next travel. For the past years, I was able to set foot on five countries in Southeast Asia, been to almost 20 places in the Philippines, swam with the whale sharks, conquered Sagada, snorkeled to my hearts content, wake board, para sailed, turned 25 on the road and so on. The list can go on. Unknowingly, I was having all these fun and unforgettable experiences. Experiences no one can take from me. Things that can never be replace by no amount of money or possession.

Travelling taught me not to be defined by my things. What I have doesn't equate who I am as a person. People see me as I am. Right there and then. They don't have my past to judge what I'm going to do. Every single day on the road is a constant revelation of myself. Of what I'm capable and not. Travel never fails to teach me a thing or two. Something I can never learn if I chose the stuffs society dictates you to buy to establish your social status.

5. The things that scare you the most are the most worthwhile

Being on the road constantly makes you do some pretty serious scary stuffs. I remember how scary I was when I almost fell off one of the cliffs in Sagada. No one was laughing at that moment, even our tour guide, Kuya Randy. We were so adamant on getting out of Sumaguing cave in one piece. But coming out of that cave for almost four hours of spelunking was all so worth it. Plus, it earned me some bragging rights to say I finished the Cave Connection in one piece! hehe.

When I traveled alone in Ilocos, I admit I was scared. At the airport, I was even doing ways not to get in the flight. I went to the airport 30 minutes before the flight and lined up at the longest line in the check in counter. But fate wants me to pursue this trip. I luckily skipped the long line and got in the plane just in time. I remember being half scared half excited during the trip. Asking directions. Going to new places. Entrusting your safety to random strangers. I did all those things. Alone.

It's scary if you think of it. But like everything else, the first time is the hardest. The first day of my trip was the hardest. I felt people staring at me, maybe they're wondering what am I doing alone. But then, nothing good would come out of me being scared. As they say, mind over matter. If people don't mind, it doesn't matter. hehe. So I got used to it. The second day I was more confident approaching people for directions and having small talks to people I meet on the road. I found myself having a really good time. For four days and three nights, I was alone touring Laoag, Pagudpud and Vigan. People might find it weird to go alone on such trips but I find it so empowering. 

At the end, I surprised myself that I can actually do these things. That's bad ass! 
Yeah, I'm a bad ass. C'mon, how many people can say, yeah, I traveled alone. 
Hell Yeah!