1. Burns, bruises, and the like need immediate medical attention.
Yes, it should be. It is common sense. Yet, my teacher told me that I have none of it (ouch!). So I practically and literally burned myself twice in two days and didn’t even bother to take any immediate action after that and then bumming around beaches and trekking waterfalls is a testament of my stupidity. A note to Albin, “Never do that again!” It was a good thing that I didn’t get any infection during and after the trip. Whew! I’m still all right and kicking by the way! I didn’t get the photo of my burns during my travels because it will really gross you out.
2. Contact friends and acquaintances that are in the place you are traveling.
The spirit of whiskey was upon us. Cebu IT Park
It’s sometimes good to see some old familiar faces added up to the new scenery when traveling. You could catch up on what they’re doing and enjoy some booze while you’re at it. It breaks the monotony of travel.
3. There’s a difference between being yourself and being yourself for your ego.
With some few friends in Cebu
I have always thought that my deviant attitude was an expression of who I really was. Until I finally got to terms with it and found out it was just my ego. It’s not easy to let go of previous behaviors but with time and diligence we’ll get there. It’s easy to say that you know yourself. But….How will you know that? Do really have to say it in front of others? How can you say it to yourself without your ego involved?
In my case, I have this “built in bull shit/lie detector” that goes off automatically when I’m with people (90% of the time). But I’m also not safe since it also goes off when I say or think of something that could cause me to be egoic. It’s actually good since you can take a back seat and analyze your behavior from the inside while socializing with people and they don’t even notice that you’re doing that. I am my own worst critic.
4. When the student is ready the master will come.
practice shooting in Mantayupan Falls, Barili, Cebu
I am a Rosicrucian by heart and this quote has always been very dear to me. And it kind of made me smile when a good friend mentioned this quote a few years back.
There are times when you just want to take the next step in your progress but it doesn’t really get up there because there’s something that is lacking. In this case the Master is needed to move forward. Yes, I advocate self learning but I realized that it takes a Master to move further into the path. A Master might come in human form, from a book, an experience, a flash of insight, something that is suited to how you learn.
Photography has really been growing inside me these past few weeks. But I didn’t know the basics until I met someone who taught me in two hours while riding a boat bound to Cebu. Like we were fated to meet just before I embarked on my adventure. No, it didn’t made me a Master of Photography or something but he taught me basic things such as ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, how my camera works and the like. It was a blessing and up to this day I still continue to learn and meet masters along the way and practice shoot.
5. When you’re in a different place you tend to be more courageous in expressing yourself.
Mantayupan Falls, Barili, Cebu
Back in my home town I was very hesitant in taking my camera with me to take pictures. But the case was different when I landed in Cebu. I got to channel my inner-wanna-be-photographer. I got the courage boost because no one knew me. No one who knew me knows photography. And I was really happy to roam around the streets with a camera in hand.
6. Be aware of the signs.
Balamban, Cebu
This is literally and figuratively. Signs are important because they help you when you’re lost and lets you avoid danger. I’m hard headed sometimes. When I see something and set it as a goal, no one and nothing can stop me. My solo trip to Mt. Manunggal was a test of my hard headedness and the signs that nature was giving me. I walked for 10 kms. from Brgy. Gaas to the drop off point going to Manunggal. I have been told to take a habal-habal but I opted to walk. And as I was walking, a storm was brewing above me. Still I pushed forward. Yet the rain was far too overwhelming to push through. (Hahaha! Wimp!)
7. Smile at yourself and at people.
I made a wrong turn in Balamban, Cebu
A smile is a stamp that gets you out of trouble in some cases. Try putting on a smile. Not a fake one. But one that radiates throughout your body that even if you’re masked everyone will still know that your smiling. Try directing your smile to your heart. When your heart smiles it becomes an effective shield from boredome, bad thoughts, and primarily evil. Don’t believe me….try it!
8. Sleeping on the Beach beats Sleeping in the City
Tingko Beach, Alcoy, Cebu
The thought of waking up early in the morning and the next thing you see is the beach. Nuff said!
9. When fishing, patience is a virtue.
fish food!
I have an addictive personality. I get lost into something when I enjoy it. Haha! But don’t we all. Fishing is rewarding even when taken literally.
10. When Plan A fails and you don’t have a Plan B…immediately make a Plan B.
Barili, Cebu
Like me, I don’t prepare a Plan B. As I said redundantly earlier when I set a goal on something, nothing gets in the way not even a Plan B.
Zamboanga was the plan. I planned it for weeks and was even hallucinating of eating “Curacha”(it’s not what you think, it’s crab drenched in Alavar Sauce). When things didn’t worked out, I immediately prepared Plan B and that came out as Southern Cebu.
11. Learn some life saving skills.
Whale Sharks in Oslob, Cebu
Swimming, or in the lesser view point floating will immensely help someone in need especially when you’re that someone. And it comes in handy when you’re swimming with whale sharks.
12. Haggle
busy streets of Cebu
I suck at this so I need more experience to level this skill up. It saves time, money, and did I mention money?
13. Train your stomach to be resistant to diarrhea, skin problems, blunt strikes, piercing strikes (ok this is overboard), and the like.
My breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Ayala Mall, Cebu
The world is a smorgasbord of exotic dishes. We have to taste them all. Well, I have to taste them all actually. Be strong stomach, be strong!
14. When in doubt, ask.
Mouth Watering Lechon near Sto. Nino Church, Cebu
Going around solo trains your intuition. But sometimes it tells you to ask people out because humans as we are we still need to comprehend things using words which is not the forte of intuition.
15. Everything has been set in order way before you plan it.
found shelter in this shed amidst the heavy rain, Balamban, Cebu
Not to be overtly spiritual but most of the time when you think something goes wrong it just gets all right again. For example when heavy rains attack you are offered a shed or an abandoned shelter in the middle of the mountains just as soon as the rain stars pouring. Nothing is fucked up, it’s just your mind set.
16. Traveling solo brings you down to your basics.
on board Trans Asia
As flipnomad said, “Let go of your family, friends, achievements, possessions…who are you?”. In my case, the minute I stepped into the ship, I forgot that I even had parents, or friends, or a job and this was a true story. I wasn’t even scared at all. I was only reminded that I had parents and friends when my mother and some friends messaged me of my whereabouts.
Moral of the story…”the only real thing in this universe is you, outside is nothing but a reflection of your mind.” I got this from a very wise old friend.
Boljoon, Cebu
~I would like to dedicate this to a friend who is going on her solo trip around South East Asia!
Young! Wild! and Free!
Follow Me!