Footprints Around Asia

When I learned of my illness in February of 2010, my thoughts were not exactly of my condition but of what I can do with my remaining time. I told myself "I won't leave this earthly existence without seeing the world". So while I was trying to find the courage to wholly accept my fate, I started to pack my bag (at that time I used to travel with a suitcase still) for a few day trips around Asia. Although my first few trips were not entirely because I wanted to go sight seeing as I was just on a tourist visa in Thailand during my first 3 months (I needed to do visa runs either by crossing the border by bus to Myanmar, Laos or Cambodia and be given a 15 day visa on arrival or book a flight so upon return I'd be given a 30 day visa on arrival) but I always consider it a pleasure trip still.

The first border run I did was to Cambodia. I didn't get to see much of it as I only stayed less than an hour excluding the long lines at the immigration check point in the Cambodian border town called Poipet, a stone throw away from Thailand's border town Aranyaprathet.

Next stop was after 15 days of this Cambodian visa run trip, Vientiane Laos. I was only supposed to stay here for 2 nights but due to my limited, almost close to nothing knowledge of Thai holidays I was forced to stay in this Laosian Capital, Vientiane for 4 nights. I must say that this said capital is the most boring and deserted capital I've even been to. I was expecting that it would be as "grand" as Bangkok or even half of what you can see in Manila but it was not even a fifth of the 2 capitals. The only good thing in this country's capital is, it's not as expensive as the other two I mentioned and close to ZERO traffic jam plus with literally 50 cents of a Euro/dollar you can easily alleviate your hunger. Indeed traveling will give you tons of priceless experiences! Gradually I was educated about the world around me which I've never learned in the confines of my school's classrooms.

Ho Chi Minh City formerly called Saigon, the capital of Vietnam was my 3rd visa run destination. Again same as the other places I've been to, Saigon gave me a whole new level of experience. I was toured around the city by a local whom I've met online and was really nice enough to let me experience the real Vietnam. We took his motorbike and drove around the city with it but for the first time in my life I've never been so scared of riding a motorbike. Believe me I was never scared of riding a motorbike as I have been riding one myself since I was in grade school. Motorist in this city would never stop unless they're about literally 2 inches away from you! Never have I seen this kind of road manners which lead me in believing that Vietnamese motorists has none at all not to mention their hobby of honking their vehicle horns almost every 30 seconds. I was told that when you want to cross the street, never wait for the motorbike to stop to let you pass as it will never happen. So for the first time ever, I've been screaming like a high school cheerleader with my eyes closed while cruising the streets of Saigon. Nevertheless, I left a part of my heart in this bustling city and its warm hearted people not to mention the cheap, good food.

After these 3 visa run trips, the succeeding ones are for purely pleasure trips. My feet were always itching for more travels and adventure but my real travel adventure was when I discovered a whole new way of traveling through Couch Surfing. A new travel junkie in me was born...

A Continuous Journey

It's been way too long since I posted something in my blog. Blame the lazy ass in me, yes but there were so many exciting things happened that kept me away from blogging (this is just the lamest excuse I can think of so not to focus on me being lazy!). Well here I am, back on track and hopefully will keep the momentum of blogging going as there's so much to share and so much I want to tell YOU on where my footprints were printed and where I will make more prints as I journey through life...

The year 2011 is a gateway of many opportunities, of emotional ups and downs, of physical and health struggles and a beginning of an end. So let me briefly summarize what I have done since arriving in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Arriving in Thailand mid March 2010, I found a place to stay in Bangkok where I lived until late June. While meeting people during my short stint I came across one Filipino who told me of this job opening (I was in dire need of a job after i have accepted my fate) in a call center-like operations in Chiang Mai. I was told to send an email and after doing so just waited a few weeks until I received an email and a call to come for an interview all the way up North of the country (this was during the first day of The Songkran Festival, a week long Thai New Year in April). In short, I came for the interview and had a very fruitful outcome. Needless to say, I got employed and started my employment July of 2010. I started out in an entry level position but got immediately promoted after a meager 1 month of employment as I'm the only one who's got the experience in the line of business they were in. The same year, I was able to go around some South East Asian countries like Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Hong Kong. By the end of the year , December I was sent to the UK sponsored by the company to attend the head office's Annual Christmas Ball. This started my thirst for traveling which eventually, you'll see/read my stories about it soon enough.. This was when I actually felt that I'm living my life at last!

Survivng in the Jungle

Everyday we meet countless people who we can't even remember after the encounter. There'd be some that we may be interested in knowing but most we really won't bother. Each of these people carry their own load, both seen and unseen.

I have met my share of these people. Some have stayed for a while, some left the moment they stepped in and a few remarkable ones stayed no matter what. Unfortunately, I'm the worst judge of one's character. Who would've known that a person would just disappear into thin air after successfully completing life's valuable tests with flying colors? But nevertheless, the one year of friendship, love, all the hardships we've surpassed over the 4 months we've traveled together and everything that we have learned from each other was definitely worth treasuring though we are no longer in speaking terms. I'm still hoping over the time, as I believe time heals all wounds, we'll find ourselves accepting each other wholly. But for now, our memories of the struggles, fun, laughters and joy we shared will keep me company.

Thank you for helping me survive the jungle!

En Route to the Kingdom of Siam (Thailand)

So there I was all packaged again and ready on my next adventure. En route to Thailand I went to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia from Singapore and stayed for 2 nights and 3 days. I wasn't really fascinated by Malaysia maybe because I only went to the city and did not explore the outskirts and the natural wonders of the country.

My 2 nights 3 days stay in Kuala Lumpur was really short and boring. I didn't do much or see much of the city as well. I was too excited to reach Thailand as compared to seeing Malaysia. So the following day I went out of my hotel room and went to the train station to purchase a sleeper train ticket from Penang, Malaysia to Bangkok Thailand. 

I didn't take the train from Kuala Lumpur to Penang though. I booked a flight through Air Asia as I thought the trip would be too long coz I've heard from a friend who did it that it'll take 32 hours. 

Arriving at Penang Internation Airport I took a cab and paid 70 RM crossing over Jambatan Pulau Pinang (Penang Bridge). The sight of George Town in Penang was just spectacular. Indeed it was a gorgeous city which unfortunately I was not able to explore due to time constraints. Although I didn't realize that time that I still had ample time in my hands to explore it. I was just too scared to miss my train!

Finally it was time to hit the tracks! It's a long 22 hour train ride from Butterworth in Penang Malaysia to Bangkok Thailand!

Sunshine after the Rain

 As all storms end, a bright sun is vibrantly shining with all its might. With its light I was able to see the road I need to take and a whole new journey ahead. I was thankful for the support and encouragement of my family on not giving up despite what I am going through and on what might happen. I feel as though time is quickly running out for me so I wanted to do everything at once. But then I was told to slow down a little to savor each passing moment of my life. I'd say I have over reacted when I thought I'm about to expire and again I was wrong. So I started another journey. Next stop, Siam. Before I left Singapore I tried to bid my last farewell to this country where my new dreams was about to come true but shattered in the end and another dream developed.

Universal Studios Singapore opened its doors just right before I left so I had the chance to catch a short glimpse of this happy place.

 At least though with shattered dreams I made myself happy in some way before leaving..

The Nightmare

Nightmares don't normally start with horrific images of sorts. It in fact starts with something pleasant until it reaches its climax. My day started as usual, chatting in school with friends over a tumbler of fruit juice and some ideas of what dishes to experiment. After settling in and preparing for what needs to be used I started walking towards the counter station I'm supposed to use and everything went blank. The next thing I know.....

All I hear was a faint sound of the sirens which at first I thought I was just dreaming. I was never aware of what's happening around me and I felt like I'm completely stoned having smoked a kilo of weeds in just one pot session. I only realized that it was definitely real when I was brought out of the ambulance towards the emergency doors of the building. And so there I was..

I thought I was sent to a hotel as the entrance of the main building definitely looks like one. But it was not. As I was rushed in, I heard an authoritative voice giving orders to the others who were like bees working inside their hive. I was not aware of the time nor did I realize where I was about to be taken. A door just flew open and everything went blank again.

When I woke up I had all sorts of tubes and needles attached to my body. It was indeed a nightmare for me as I never liked being pricked my needles more so having them penetrating my flesh and draining my blood. But in this case, I never had a choice but to allow the pricks suck the life out of me in the hopes of resurrection!

Finally I was brought to my suite which didn't feel much like my own room. I spent a few good days in this room contemplating what my next move will be after I was informed by my doctors of my condition. I know for a fact that chasing my dream of becoming a Chef is at end and if I continue, it would be a total waste of time as time is something I no longer enjoy the luxuries of.

Chasing a Dream

A degree in one of the most prestigious and expensive universities in the Philippines, a good career and a generally great life is what I have left behind. I thought at first that dreams are for those who have yet to achieve what they really wanted to achieve  and not for someone like me who have almost achieved everything at a very early stage of life. But I was wrong, dead wrong. Here in the small City/Country of Singapura I realized that somewhere deep inside me I am still dreaming and finally chasing my dream..

 

Eating is my passion but cooking what I eat is something that I am passionate of. I started chasing my dream of becoming a Chef in my own right at Singapore Culinary Institute with so much enthusiasm and hopes of reaching my dream after "planting and nurturing season". It was tough, not only because I'm back locked in a contained space with other food enthusiast like myself but also because this school and the country where I am at gets my spending sky high!

With different people to work with and extreme characters I need to deal with on a daily basis, it builds the excitement in me as I learn more and more of the craft I have loved since long I can remember. Everyday was something new, something different. Some days seemed to be the same as it may go through the same process but surprisingly with a different outcome!

As in any other school, team work is valued. With team work comes patience, a whole lot of it, and the more patience I develop the more eager I am to learn more (or maybe I should say eat more). I remember asking my team to hasten up so we can get more dishes to feed ourselves. Finally the much awaited end has come...

I told myself "this is the life!" and I really thought at that time it will never come to an end. But then as all beginnings there's always an ending. It is not everyday anyway that you'll always have good dreams. There will be days that you'll be haunted by nightmares. Mine is just about to come...