The Splurge of Travelling

To others what I have gotten into recently must be a splurge. To me, it's all worth it. Since April I have spent the days mostly off Manila. I've been traveling in places where I have never been. After my first trip in Banawe and Sagada, I went up there again. Then to Aurora and Quezon, next to Tarlac and Mt. Pinatubo. The last one I had was in San Antonio island in Northern Samar and Calbayog City in Western Samar.

It's a splurge if I am to account how much I've spent. Nevertheless, my eyes will never behold the beauty of my country if I don't spend for it. Even if I take the expenses at budget line, I will still be spending. The joy of traveling, seeing places, learning things around the countryside, getting lost in the outdoors and finding my way back, being greeted with warm smiles -- these are perks I could not get from being couch potato in front of the TV.

One time, my cousin asked me an honest upfront question. It must be out his curiosity that I've been away from the house most of the time. "Do you have mission?" He got me there, and I replied. "Yes, I wanted to see the Philippines, that's my mission for now." And, I am really enjoying it.

I am not running away from any obligation. I have my research proposal done, with very little revisions needed. I just needed that prodding, sort of internal motivation. I have this time "now" to be away from work with pay. I have dogged into work for years, and never really had myself a long break for myself. Should I spend it in another way?

I did not save any money for my travel. I actually loaned for it. My mom and my sister, sensing that I had money asked me if we are going to do some house renovation. In my mind, I don't want to be watching over construction men break and refurbish the house, not on days that I should be recreating myself. I also know that moving one beam in our house will need a lot of money, because almost everything above the ground needed to be replaced. Budget wise, my money won't be enough.

I saw an SUV on sale, the day before I left for Aurora. The money I had would be enough to pay the down payment, and the monthly dues are affordable. I wanted a car for me, but I had to let that one pass. I thought, if I get the car it would just sit in the garage more often than when I am going to use it. I still can get along commuting and I know the right time will come when I'll be driving my own car.

Staying in a house where I have my own room, and driving my own car to where I want to go. Those are fine things I want too in my life. Earning my PhD by completing my research this year, that too is a priority of mine. Traveling came to me as a new discovery and I am really enjoying it. It was never in my plan. I may not be able to see all of what the Philippines has to offer, but I am taking this time to see whatever I could, given the resources I have.

Call it a splurge or perky, to me traveling recreates a person to know himself better in relation to other people, to learn what books and online articles don't say about places and culture, and to reinvigorate the burnt out body and down stressed mind. Those things perhaps keep me moving as traveling feeds in me great memories of everything my senses could feast on - that's the splurge of traveling.