There are travelers who travel for the sake of traveling. I envy them. I couldn’t set my pocket to travel mode every time I want to, to every place I dream of. That’s the basic problem of holiday economics in my homeland – it is not just possible for everyone of us. Per capita income in the Philippines is PhP3,951 (2009) (pinoymoneytalk.com quoting the May 2012 report of NSCB), a bit lower than Thailand and way, way lower than Malaysia; Catbalogan City, one of 7 cities in my region, posted a per capita income of PhP2,133 (2009), making it to the bottom 10 cities in the Philippines (in terms of per capita income).
How could one wish to travel in his very own homeland, where it has been prided to be known as Pearl of the Orient, when all one could wish for is food on the table, an access to safe water and an access to sanitary toilet?
My travelling status is very opportunistic. I travel not for travel’s sake but for other purposes. I usually have a job to do. And this job, with more limitations than privileges, becomes an opportunity for me to see the corners of my homeland.
My travelling status is very opportunistic. I travel not for travel’s sake but for other purposes. I usually have a job to do. And this job, with more limitations than privileges, becomes an opportunity for me to see the corners of my homeland.
mall of asia
Despite constraints, every plane ride I get, I wonder – and literally wander. The prompting within to be grateful to God for every occasion encourages me to see goodness and beauty for every constraint. This is my version of travelling. I call it oportunista - that’s why window seat is always preferred. When everybody else complains how busy he is, I set my camera to M, white balance to auto, f/8, ISO 200, then look at every nook and cranny this travelling experience brings me to and enjoy the clicking ride. I learned that from Jesus who was born in a manger instead of in a palace.
First to observe is the cloud formation. How cottony, the cloud? Any amusing form? Arriving in the work venue, thing to survey is the lobby. Is there something wow in the area? Chandeliers? Uniqueness of the furniture in the waiting area? Painting on display? Then a short environmental scanning for some interesting things around the area.
mandaluyong skyline, sunrise
The best part of this travel is always expectedly surprising: the room, my room. Actually the window view. I may not be able to roam around interesting places in the area, what with workshops sometimes end at past 6:00pm, but I am able to let my window do my travel experience and take snapshots of what beauty I get through it. Sunset by the window? Or is it sunrise?
My latest trip proved this point. Beyond the workshop hours is the Mandaluyong skyline. My not being able to visit places of my interest for photography, I had this skyline painted with colors of sunrays at different hours, view from the window. Same location, different time.
In most times, I settle with travel in beds, snapshots of lampshades, and yes, even bathtubs in bathrooms.
My latest trip proved this point. Beyond the workshop hours is the Mandaluyong skyline. My not being able to visit places of my interest for photography, I had this skyline painted with colors of sunrays at different hours, view from the window. Same location, different time.
In most times, I settle with travel in beds, snapshots of lampshades, and yes, even bathtubs in bathrooms.
pasig river, on my way to my auntie's house
