Boy Saves Nervous Nelly

I wish I'd had a chance to take a picture of the lovely little boy who made me suddenly happy and comfortable with flying off to the other side of the world from what I've always called home. Instead I found a similar face online that will probably make you smile like I did.

I had already been seated on the aisle of our Boeing 777 and was suddenly feeling spectacularly nervous and apprehensive about heading directly out of my comfort zone when I found myself face-to-face with a little guy with a smile like this. I smiled back and he said, "Hi!"

I answered "Hi" back and we entered a short conversation about if this was his first flight. I would guess his age to have been six or seven. The line of people moved on up so he was tugged away by his mother but finished with "See you later!"

Here was a Chinese-American child, completely comfortable in his environment of multi-ethnic passengers, and not only unafraid of strangers but excited by the possibilities all around him. He taught an old lady a thing or two.

I turned to my daughter with tears in my eyes and said "I'm not afraid anymore."

Day 1 in the PI

I've got so much to tell you! What an experience this has been getting from LAX to Manila by way of China!

My daughter, Vanessa and I survived our 15-hour flight quite well due to excellent service and care from China Southern Airlines. We were treated to three full meals, which were very tasty and plenty of food - chicken with rice and beef pasta and dim sum. Beverages were handed out regularly and wine was free although I did not partake (I'm watching my blood sugar!) I highly recommend this airline as they took extremely good care of us when I didn't realize I needed a forward flight to be admitted to the Philippines. The attendant literally walked me over to another airline so that I could purchase a completely refundable ticket to Hong Kong (I'm headed to Thailand next but don't have a departure date).

We landed in Guangzhou, China for our connecting flight to Manila which was an interesting and stressful experience. We were herded down a gangway to wait in a long line for a shuttle to our connecting gate. The stress was actually due to not knowing if we would make our connection, which we really didn't need to worry about as the airline very much catered to its passengers and collected a few missing ones before giving the shuttle permission to move on.

Finally arriving in Manila was very easy, no customs involved and we grabbed a cab with a little trepidation about possibly being over-charged but we paid the equivalent of $15 for a 40-minute ride to Quezon City - a Manila suburb.

We crashed and this morning headed out for our first Filipino meal which was fabulous. Van had adobo and I had lumpia - something I've been craving for months. Then we took a stroll down the boulevard - an eclectic collection of businesses from restaurants to car repair shops to banks, etc., some surprisingly attractive and others grimy and gritty, which I expected in this part of the country. Vanny was nearly run over - no exaggeration by a big, expensive SUV that just kept coming even though we were in a crosswalk. Crazy time.

Tomorrow we head out to our first intentional stop - Baguio, a mountain resort town about 4 hours away by bus.

More from the PI tomorrow!

Have Moneybelt and Passport Will Travel

So, this has been a week of gathering important travel things and notifying institutions I'm leaving and turning off accounts. But frankly, today I accomplished one of the biggest things on my to-do list. I picked up a money belt.

This, I'm told, is an absolute necessity. There aren't many attractive options, but since it is worn under my clothes, I suppose that isn't necessary.

I did search high and low for a passport cover with some panache and as you can see, again the options were limited. However, pink does make a statement!

I have managed to reduce my baggage to two suitcases (a carry-on and a large spinning piece) with a backpack for my in-cabin personal (a purse won't do it). As you may recall, I originally planned on THREE pieces, the now missing one being a big - huge actually - purple duffel bag. As I envisioned traveling as a vagabond, the picture of me lugging three large pieces was just too much. I don't need a lot and as a friend, who's been there, told me, "You can always buy more clothes if you get tired of what you've brought."

So, I'm ready, really ready. The next dispatch will be from Los Angeles where my daughter and I will be luxuriating at one of Westins near the airport before flying out to Manila. Again, no I'm not rich, my daughter works for Starwood and we get smoking rates.

Cushy pillows and mattress, here I come!

Ziggy at the Beach and Much More...

My two boys - grown and not.

Ziggy holding on for dear life!

The past few days have been exhilarating! I drove to Los Angeles and spent a couple of days with my son, Erik, and his family, hung out at the Channel Islands beach, where my traveling companion Ziggy was nearly blown away by the ocean breeze.

I then motored on down to Phoenix, where I’ve been finishing up travel chores before heading over to the PI (apparently, the stateside Filipinos refer to the Philippines this way – my attempt at hipness!) But not without my daughter, Vanessa, who is accompanying me for the first two weeks of my great adventure. 

There was a matter of getting some Philippine pesos, arranging finances and closing accounts, and last minute purchases like passport covers and space saver bags. I’m fighting the ongoing battle of reducing my luggage to two bags and a backpack if I possibly can.

Along the way, we managed to toss in a couple of excellent dinners. I highly recommend Aunt Chiladas in Tempe for a fabulous “comida” and the best guacamole I’ve ever had - incredible. My daughter’s roommate is Hispanic and he chose this restaurant when I requested authentic Mexican food. Thank you, Ramon!

The next day Van treated me and her best friend Danielle to Beckett’s Table in Phoenix, which bills itself as a New American restaurant, where I was treated to the excellent “falling off the bone” short ribs on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes. Life is good.

 I just made a reservation for our first stay in the Philippines in Quezon City just outside Manila. Good rating and only $23 a night.

So, keep tuning in! Ziggy will be appearing regularly!

The Journey Begins…

Well, I’m off. I made it as far as L.A. where I’m visiting my son and his family. 

Yes,  grandchildren are involved. Yippee!

Me and my fully-packed rental car!

We’re headed to Venture for some beach time and then tomorrow I’m off to Phoenix for a week before my daughter and I are flying out to the Philippines on September 9^th, with the long-awaited passport in hand.

Expect further dispatches before takeoff!

At Long Last - Goodbye Old Friends!

I’m on my way next week! I’ve managed to sell both my car and my RV I have been living in for six years and I’m ready! August 26^th is my final day at work and after visiting with my Mom for a couple of days, I’m off on August 29^th.

My beloved Bebe

The first of my travels will be simply to see my son and his family in Southern California and then visit with my daughter in Phoenix until we’re ready to take off for our first adventure in early September. We’ve tentatively chosen The Philippines but that could change when we sit down together and kibbutz a bit. This may be my girl’s one and only trip to Asia so we’ll choose carefully.

Yesterday, when a gentleman bought both car and RV, I had a very difficult time calming down.  As some of you know, I’ve been planning this lifestyle change since July of 2014. For an “instant gratification” girl, this has been one long haul. From about 10 am, until the late evening sometime, I felt light-headed and even a bit dizzy. As odd as it sounds, I believe my blood pressure was actually dropping. The sense of unreality and overwhelming freedom was too much for me to take in. I’m fine this morning. 

I’m about to go get a Starbucks then come back and actually pack up my stuff. It will require one last pass through my belongings, to whittle them down to what’s really necessary and desirable to keep and which of those things I’ll actually take with me. 

Good ole Wanda

I’m looking forward to sending you dispatches and photos from the road!

Vagabonding! A Real Thing

I’m in the midst of reading Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel by Rolf Potts. This may be the most relevant-to-my-life book I’ve ever read. 

I’m now to the portions of the book that are tips and information on the actual travel involved, but it began as a lengthy description of the art of vagabonding.I fell in love with the term and the idea, which I had already envisioned for myself. The real surprise for me was that - lo and behold - there was an actual thing and name for what I intend to begin in the next three weeks: traveling around the world on the cheap, staying in each place for an extended period until I feel saturated by the country, place and people. 

If you are at all entranced by the idea of travel like this but think you can't pull it off, please read this book. You will quickly decide that it IS possible.