my prayer

The idea of travel has been eating me for a while now. God knows I’ve been ripping my heart and my mind out, trying to find my purpose. I need to know what to do about my life, this life I spend sitting in front of the computer, doing work, surfing the net, and anything not involving any strenuous activity. Well, today is the culmination of years of pondering, the never ending coffee conversations about the future, and the nights I lay awake on my bed, thinking, what the hell should I be doing. 

Before I resigned in IBM, I was set on writing my way out of poverty, probably live in Laguna for a few months until I’m able to stand on my own again. I gave myself another chance at DSM, however, hoping maybe there is something for me in the corporate world after all. But what I really want is to write. I couldn’t find myself writing at times but I would really, really love to write. I would write for work, for myself, for my audience around the world. Prof., a friend I met seven years ago once told me he felt I was destined for something big. Well, Prof., I think this is it. I believe in it with all my heart.

I was afraid. What if in the process of writing my way into the world, I lose contact of society. Be a recluse behind closed doors. Being the blabbermouth that I am, I shared my dilemma to Jaime, a man who truly inspires me. He said, “CJ, what do you think about writing from different places around the world?” And my heart exploded. I felt fireworks ignite inside my chest. I am going to write from beautiful places around the world. I will find beauty in grit, in chaos, in nature, in people, in frustration, in traffic, in family, in love, in my future lovely kids, and in my future lovely husband. For this I thank the truly inspiring people I got to know through the wonderful age of information, a.k.a. the internet. They are the travel writers around the globe, the writers and film makers who make my eyes twinkle with light, and my friends who believe that our life is an expedition and we should trek the best out of its stony path.

Today I start my journey to the future. And the whole world will be my address. I will walk all its paths with a smile pasted on my liver and my heart giggling with delight. And may God be always with me. Amen.

my bangkok diary: day 3

April 14, 2012

This day started perfectly. Unlike our first two days here, we didn't have to worry about getting up early -- we went out of the hostel at around 10am. It was very hot, as usual, and we couldn't move faster than our sluggish selves. We weren't in a hurry anyway, since we've already been to a whole lot of Bangkok and we still have a few more days to explore. If only I had known that I'd be dead tired before my head hits the pillow tonight, I would have changed my strategy and started this day at 6am. So anyway, I'm going to tell you about it in the fastest way that I know because my eyes will close any time soon.

At around 1pm, we went to Jim Thompson's Museum. It was located in a clean and quiet neighborhood, and only a few-minute walk from Lub'd.

Jim Thompson is like the godfather of Thai silk or something. Oli said it was his favorite so far because it was our most relaxing activity. Lol.

Waiting for the museum tour to start

She's cooking the silk worms!

The main house.

Next stop -- Wat Arun. We took the sky train and then the ferry.

People in the karinderya, eating in front of us.

Pero sarado na ang Wat Arun para sa araw na ito! Waaahhhhh!!!

After all the heat, thirst, hunger, sweat, and aching feet, we learned that Wat Arun was closed for the day. We'll just have to come back for it tomorrow. So, we did the next best thing we can think of -- walk aimlessly.

Lucky bastards.

Ang ganda pala ng Wat Arun sa gabi!

Ang gwapo ko pala! Waiting for the ferry to take us back to the sky train.

We arrived at the Lub'd at around 7pm. It's of course, still very early, so we decided to check out the Silom celebration of the Songkran.

HOLY CRAP! i-uwi nyo na ako ng Pilipinas!!!

 And then, of course, this is what happened to us...

my bangkok diary: day 2

April 14, 2012  

Today is my third day in Thailand, but since it’s still early morning and I haven’t done anything yet, I’m gonna talk about yesterday’s adventures. But let me describe first where I am right now. I am in the hostel lobby and it is full of guests. Behind me is a Caucasian guy, who looked at me before I sat down and write this entry. In front of me is that guy over there at the counter. I think he is in the processes of checking himself in.

Have I told you that there are tons of tourists here? I mean, from all over the world. Mostly whites, I guess. Then there are the yellows, the reds, and the browns – although I can’t really tell who the tourists are among the brown ones, since Thai people are mostly brown. I didn’t see much black people though. And by the way, the weather here is scorching – at least where there is no air conditioning. The heat can slap you as if it's a wet lasagna. Lasagna that was just retrieved from a pot of boiling water, that is. So if heat is your cup of tea, then go ahead and book a flight to Bangkok.

Okay, so going back to the purpose of this entry, let me recall what happened yesterday…

Yodchai, our driver, picked us up at 8:30am. We went to the floating market, which was a two-hour drive from Bangkok. When we arrived at a small boat terminal, we were met by people who manage the boats that take tourists to the market and the elephant village. The funny/scary part was, we were only able to bring money that was just enough for the boat-ride and elephant-ride fees. What about if we wanna buy something? We were like, “holy kamote!” I told Ai and Oli that we look like traveling paupers.

We took the boat anyway, stopped at the first two stores, and then I told the boatman not to stop at any store anymore. The items sold were so expensive and we were going to Chatuchak anyway. Of course, I didn’t tell the boatman that we didn’t have any money left. Ai was actually concerned that people there may think that Filipinos are poor. I should have suggested that we introduce ourselves as Vietnamese or Cambodians.

For people who didn't have any money left, we looked too darn happy about ourselves. =P

After going to the market, we went to ride the elephants. Yeyyy!!! – one more item crossed out from my bucket list. 

I was honestly afraid of the elephants because they look so powerful, and they’re tall so sitting on the back of one scared me out because I’m afraid of heights. What really shook me up was when our elephant went to the murky water (which I assume was full of shit) because it may decide to stay and submerge under water. It would have been one hell of an experience but I feel lucky it didn’t happen. Hahahaha…

 

After the market and the elephant ride, we were so ready to go back to the hotel, take a rest, and get some money. Yodchai, however, told us that we better go to the temples since it will be on our way to the hostel.  He even lent us money to pay for the entrance fee. Cool, no?

We went to Wat Po, where the huge sleeping Buddha was. Wat Po was super amazing and it was overflowing with people. It was also insanely hot there. Good thing I don’t have much fat in my body to sweat. Although, I did sweat as much as I could, naturally.

After Wat Po, at around 3:30pm, we finally went back to the hostel. We slept a little, changed clothes, and went to the lady-boy cabaret show. It looks nice in pictures but the production was fairly simple and the dance numbers were not well rehearsed. I didn’t really think it was a waste of money, though. Since, we are in Thailand, I think it’s a must that we see lady boys perform. =P

Si ate ang bida ng tanghalan.

Oh, before I forget… the Songkran activities are in full swing. I’m afraid it would be hard to stay dry for long.

Their containers hold water. These people splash water to passers by.

Wet kids. They splash water on whoever crosses their path.