After my euro-adventure, I was so high with travel that I bored the people around me to death with the only topic I’m interested in. It may even began to sound like gloating starting my sentences with “when i was in Europe…” so I decided to actively host couchsurfers. If I’m not traveling, I’m going to bring traveling to my house. I was particularly interested to host people on an extended travel and I would be living vicariously through their RTW stories. I was drooling with envy and dying of jealousy.
- world map and the couchsurfers i’ve ever hosted
“If you so wanted it, why don’t you just do it?” they asked me.
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
Good question. Why not?
These were my top 3 answers.
1. I have work. responsibilities.
2. I’m no longer 25.
3. I have to get visas to everywhere.
I was raised in a world where work defines who you are, as well as your marital status, but that’s another story, ha ha. Anyway, nothing remarkable happened but one day I woke up and thought, why the hell not indeed? I’m not married. I have no children. What responsibility am I talking about? I work in our family business and my family have always supported each other. If we could travel for one to 2 months at a time, what is the difference of being gone for a year? If it means living one’s dream?
I thought telling my mother would be my biggest hurdle. I was short of making a powerpoint presentation to go with my spiel when I went to tell her. But it took me 30 seconds to say I’m planning to take a long trip. Then she so matter-of-factly asked for how long and what’s my itinerary? I was thrown off-guard because I was ready to deliver my 10-point argument. Somehow my mother have become open-minded and modern and I missed it! It was me who was stuck in the past, the perpetually guilty daughter.
The average age of people in couchsurfing was 25. That’s where I got my number. But with its recent popularity with over 2 million members, I think the average age now is 30 or even higher. And over the past 4 years, I’ve hosted round-the-world travelers who are older (than 25). I once hosted a funny guy who at 45, quit his job, sold everything, and went traveling because he hated their incumbent president. He will go back after his 6 year term. So obviously, I have also gotten over not being 25 anymore. ;-)
While I love the Philippines and have considered nowhere else home, I have to say, the Philippine passport is the single most annoying reason I hate being a Pinoy traveler. We need visa to almost everywhere and all restrictions apply. This is the main reason why I’m still here.
For my big trip, I want to circumnavigate the world! I want to leave for the west and come back from the east. And possibly hit all continents except Antartica. But who knows, maybe even Antartica if I stumbled upon a bag of diamonds or something. The plan was Asia(Manila)–Europe–(side trip: Africa)–North America–South America–Australia–New Zealand. But with my frustrated and procrastinating nature, I have changed my direction 3 times over! Ha ha. When I failed to leave in 2010, I decided to change direction and start in Australia beginning January, 2011. But some schedule monster came disrupting about that I can only start my planning today, March 1, 2011. And with all these visa business, my guess is I can leave mid-April the earliest. So with the season changing again, I will have to go with the earlier plan of heading west. I’m a tropical being and a sun chaser. I’m so scared of cold weather.
In the course of the next few days, weeks, I’ll be documenting the progress of my visa applications and the rest of the preparation. It’s a reality show at this point as I don’t know what’s going to happen. Will I get them? Will I not? Once again, I needed to put my thoughts in writing to sort my head out, as I mentioned in wanderlass turns 4. Follow me on my quest for the title: Most Visa Applied in 30 days! ;)
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Good luck Lil! I’m sure you’ll get those visas :D
Thanks, Nina. I hope so!
Wow. It’s funny how we want to do pretty much the same itinerary of circumnavigating the world. I can’t believe I’ve waited until I’m 26 to really try and start traveling for long periods of times considering I don’t have many Visa issues to worry about.
Hearing you mention how this will be like a reality show set off a little lightbulb in my head. It would be a really GREAT reality show for the Philippines! Perhaps you could try selling the idea to some of the networks and see if you get a bite (and a sponsor).
Hahaha, thanks for your faith Josh!
I am so excited for you! Really proud that Pinoys are representing the travel world. Are your friends and family nervous about you traveling solo? Also for passports, do you just plan to get the one for you first stop then apply as you travel? Sorry dami ko bang questions? LOL I’m planning my RTW too but I’m not leaving this year. As for age…don’t worry about that.
That will be my ultimate success gage if I’m able to help u plan your RTW trip. I would love for this site to be a one stop answer shop for Pinoy dream RTW. As for the visas (this is what you mean, right?) I cannot apply them along the way or at least that’s what the embassy websites said. We have to apply for visa in our country of residence. And yet we are only allowed to apply 3 months before. I really have no idea why but this is the challenge–I have to figure out. Would have loved to get a first world passport and then use a randomizer to determine your next destination. But then, that would be to easy boring right? ;-)
Hay naku bwisit talaga yung mga rules and restrictions against us. I think it is so unfair that the rest of the world can travel freely. I’m crossing my fingers for you. Very excited that you are about to set off on this journey. If you find yourself in California let me know I have a couch for you =)
good luck on all the visa apps lilliane, this is history in the making, anothe pinay or prolly first pinay to document her solo travel around the world ! I will sure follow this series :)
Thanks Claire! :) I was following a pinay travel blogger a couple of years ago going around the world, hitch-hiking, couch-crashing, very adventuresome. I got in touch w/ her thru facebook last year to get tips on visas, but found she carries 2 passports. So maybe this will be the first pinoy rtw blog. and would truly appreciate the following and commenting along the way.=)
Awesome Lil! I’m so excited for you :) Can’t wait to do an RTW myself, but then I’ll be lugging around our baby… so that’s a different story. Good luck dear!
Thanks Gay. Family RTW would be a totally different challenge! There’s an Aussie family doing that right now. Pero what’s the challenge with Australian passports? ;-)
it’s finally happening — make us proud. some of us will live our dreams through you. write home often.
Thanks for the good wishes. Steven! Will write often definitely for sure! =)
Lil! I’m so excited for you! I’ll be traveling vicariously through you so keep us updated!
Thanks Aleah. I will appreciate the support from home :) Hopefully prove it’s possible to travel extensively w/ a Pinoy passport.
now the real adventure begins! i hope The Mayor can really help you out! wooohooo! i’m followin your adventures sis!!! EGGcited much!
Thanks, sis! I know I can bank on your support for sure! Now, buy me something! haha ;)
surefire hit! i wish i can do this too… well, darating din yan.
i hope you get all the visa lil. wish you well
I met someone who biked around the world. You can run around the world, JJ! :)
Come on Lil! We are waiting for you in Poland!
Yes, definitely coming to Poland!! Prepare my couch ya. :)
RTW trip is a life mission for me. I plan to do this before I turn 30. I will definitely diligently follow this series. I hope you get all the visas with no hitch so your adventure will start sooner! Keep us updated. =)
thanks jc! i hope it all workout w/out too much glitches! i truly feel visas are my only obstacle. :)
“It may even began to sound like gloating starting my sentences with “when i was in Europe…”
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i totally understand what you mean. it’s one of the reasons why i don’t talk about my travels too much to non-travelers (even to some of my closest friends) as it could often be misconstrued as bragging, or worse, grandstanding.
have fun finding your place under the sun! ;-)
thanks! i guess that’s why we need different set of friends for different conversations.. unless you’re like me, single faceted, so i only need one set. haha! and i guess this is why we create blog! we write, share, blab about our experiences, throw them to the universe pretending, hoping someone would care. and if none, then it’s a journal you can look back on one day. it’s kind of amazing. :D
I loved this post! Thank you for sharing so much with us. My fingers are crossed that 1) you get every visa you want and 2) our paths somehow cross along the way. I’m so proud of you for following your heart!!!
Thanks Andi. :) You know I feet it in my heart that one day we will cross path! :)
Goodluck Lil!! Tell me when you’re going to Australia I’ll be here lang hehehe
thank, AM! you’re moving around a lot. I’ll let u know for sure when i’m near. :)
lil!!!.. im so excited! and i wish i’ll be able to do it one day…. :)
Ruby, you will definitely be able to do it! when i come back, i’ll substitute for you sa work and u can do u rtw. haha!
Lil,
Oh I am so excited for you! I will be looking forward to reading your adventures. Be safe, enjoy much, and keep us posted! In short, inggitin mo kami ha? =D
p.s. I love your blog background! Nice! Still constructing mine. Thanks for the tips. :)
Thanks Suzi! I would love some cheering from home as traveling is not always up and happy… i’m so excited by also prepared that there’ll be down moments! Good luck on starting your blog. :)
Hi, I saw your link in the comments section of the Suffusion Showcase. I also dream of travelling around the world! So far, I’ve been travelling to beaches and mountains here. I think it’s about time to go somewhere further. There are plans of going to Europe this year, and I’m crossing my fingers that will happen. Good luck on the visa application!
Thanks! :) I keep my fingers crossed for you too… because when I was in Europe… oops! hahaha.. Pack your bag and go! I wish I have your passport. Happy Travels. :)
If you come to Northern California, stop by. We have a comfortable couch (and a spare bedroom). ;-)
Haha. Thank you, Kathy. And maybe you can tag me along your dives just so I can say I dove North America–at the risk of turning into icicles! ;-)
Google led me last year to your blog when I was searching for travel to Europe and I have been following your blog ever since. You are one of my travel inspirations :) and you’ve inspired me to continue posting entries on my own blog, despite work & life demands. Will definitely watch out for your new journey. Good luck Wander Lass! :)
Hey Sunset, thanks for the effort to let me know! It always feel good getting feedback that we reaching out to someone in some ways! I appreciate the following from home when I finally hit the road! Thanks again. :-) :-)
what a great way to end the day, reading inspiring stories like this. keep us updated on your visa applications. one day i’ll do the same. for now, i hope to read your stories. i am truly happy for you.
awww thank you for your nice words & good wishes, jerik. it will be awesome to have people from home rooting for me when i’m actually on the road! :-)
I love your post!!! :)
thanks, upper. i appreciate the appreciation. :)
I really envy citizens of the first world. I mean, they can leave their country right after high school and see the whole world practically without (or less) visa restrictions. Heck, they are even allowed to go on work and travel visas! Haha. Bitter?
If only the consuls could read the blogs of Pinoy travelers who would even give up their jobs just so they could go on an RTW trip.And yeah, I love how most of my friends are stuck with the idea that RTW means ready to wear. Haha!
Good luck on your RTW travel, Miss Lil! :) How long will you be doing it?
ako rin, bitter! :) my plan is to go for one year, but bahala na, maybe ill get home sick and come back, maybe not. abangan… =)
Let me know when you pass by Sydney :) !
Good on you for the RTW :D happy for you!!!
Thanks Chai, I’ll definitely call u when I’m in Sydney. :)
this is great Lilliane, I hope you are able to make it to all of the places you dream of. Also look forward to seeing you in Europe…where my biggest issue has not been visas but what direction should I travel.
You’ve got the world though..I can see it. Go get it.
Hi Lilliane, I have been googling about about the post of Ruby since I cannot the FB link since yesterday, then I remember who is wanderlass and got your blog now.
I should not miss your talk about RTW this week and hope I will meet you in my (dream) European backpacking tour.
Despedida time….. said Ronnie.