Viajelogue 101

When I was a child, I had dreamt of touring the world. When I told my dad about this dream, he handed me a book and told me that I can tour the world by simply lifting the pages of the book. It can even take me to places where no one else had gone to. It will take me not only around the world, he said, but also into the outer space and around the entire universe and even into dimensions beyond my imagination.

Unwittingly, my dad killed that dream of mine. I didn't blame him, though. He was just a typical dad who was so afraid to let his daughter go out for the cruel world to corrupt.

As I grew up, I was able to travel to some places in the Philippines, having been a school representative in various contests, conventions, conferences, and the likes. Although the trips were mostly confined in hosting schools and other venues, I was able to take a glimpse of some places whenever my chaperon teacher allowed me. That simple glimpse of the places made me dream of going back to each place I've been to, to savor its natural beauty to no limit.

At 17, though, I let go of this dream and built new dreams with the man I had decided to spend an eternity with. I locked myself up in that new dream for almost 12 years. When that dream crumbled, my heart got broken and my spirit was shattered. I couldn't understand why it had to happen. It was only recently that I understood the works of the cosmos.

I was meant to make my childhood dream of touring the world happen. I had to be pushed away from the perimeters wherein I had grown so accustomed with that I forgot that I am meant to take a journey, not just within the pages of the latest fiction I am reading, but into the rugged roads where real adventures happen.

Little by little, I am able to fill my bucket with experiences, memories, and stories to write about and to tell the world to be able to inspire the others to seek their own growth outside their comfort zone.

This is the story of my life. Join me as I continue chasing after my dream. I'm far from even getting to the first base yet, as there as a lot of detours along the way. Even so, these detours are equally exciting and exceptional. I guess the best part of traveling is being able to bend myself to the ever changing times and the soul-enhancing moments, leave what are meant to be left behind, and take along those that are worth keeping.