Batanes, Here I Come!

Picture from Wikipedia

Batanes, here I come!!!
Lj T. Salceda

I can not specifically recall the time my traveler’s feet have been awakened. Perhaps it was when I started participating at Girl Scout camps in grade school. Probably whenever I watch adventure films or browse through travel magazines in the library. Maybe when my family transferred to three different houses and I moved to three different schools in one year. My memory fails me in many occasions, however I do remember my passion for travel and adventure started at a very young age.

What they say is true, “If there’s a will, there’s a way or ways.” Being born in a solo-parent household in the province with limited resources trained me to exercise my feet and my faith. I was able to attend numerous religious, summer and girl scouts' camps all over Luzon and Visayas with the help of family, friends and even strangers. During my high school and college days, I baby sat after classes and during weekends, knocked on politicians and businessmen’s offices to solicit and worked as a service crew to earn money for my education and for extra-curricular activities like camps and seminars. I even borrowed bags, sweaters and shoes because my family couldn’t afford any unnecessary expenditures.

Now that I’m working, I scour airlines for budget-friendly fares, work on holidays for extra cash and join contests like this one to travel for free or at a minimal cost. I have been to some of my dream destinations both here and abroad such as Palawan, Boracay, Bohol and recently the USA in spite of my meager income.

There are times when I wish I could just travel to have a good time, to relax and to forget about work, stress and problems- but I can’t. No matter how much I try, I simply can’t.

I always bring work, family and friends with me. Not literally though, more like figuratively speaking. When I go to a new place I always have this “what can I share to our listeners and how could I incorporate this experience on my radio show?” mentality. My mind automatically shifts to research, program or writing ideas and mental notes. Except for pasalubongs, I always ask what is something good and positive or beautiful in my trip or destination that I can bring back to my people or my work?

My itinerary always includes a lot of picture-taking (earning me the title of a photoholic c/o of my boyfriend), bonding with the locals, trying delicacies, immersing in their culture and swapping stories about my place or my life. I even record interviews or conversations with their consent for future use or as references on my show and my blog.

Traveling is both a gift and privilege I believe. God used and continue to use different people and organizations so I could do what I want and reach my dreams. I vowed to thank God and honor these people for their sacrifices and help by being a responsible traveler and by sharing my experiences. This is one of the reasons why I often write about my journeys on-line and my personal journal.

Traveling has always been an integral part of my life. It excites me. It inspires me. It enlightens me. And it has enriched my life beyond measure. Now that I only have a few months left in the Philippines before I join my future husband and start our own family overseas, I want to grab every opportunity to explore and be awed by my beloved LuzViMinda and its Creator.

If I will be given a chance to go to Batanes, I will consider it an answered prayer, a present to be treasured and a dream come true.


This is an entry for SeaAir's Batanes Winter Bloggers Tour. To vote for this entry, like the link on SeaAir's FB page. Thank you very much and Dios Mabalos!