Tuesday, 17 July 2012

Carpe Diem

I am a terrible blogger. I tend to procrastinate a lot. I am now in my 30th day of my journey and I have barely updated this blogspot. In my defense it is quite an arduous task to tour a new city, covering every possible site within the limited time, take pictures, edit, upload, make new friends, look for hosts, book tickets for next destination etc...

However in the remaining quarter of my 40-day journey I promise to unload my thoughts here while they are still fresh.

Everything had been a blast so far.

I wish it could go on like this but as in everything, all good things must come to an end. I guess this journey is in every bit like life. We enjoy, we party around, relish new friends and connections, revel in new discoveries but sooner or later it will end. I guess in a way I am sad.

But no matter what I always make it a point to remind myself to live in the present.

Carpe Diem !

Monday, 9 July 2012

Day 21 - Prague

I had a great time on my second day in Prague. I went to the weekly CS gathering where they have Karaoke. Even thoughI don't have a good voice, after downing a few beers I gathered to courage to sing onstage and belt "It's My Life" by Bon Jovi.

"It's my life ! It's now or never. I ain't gonna live forever. I just wanna live while I'm alive"

I think it's an apt song for my journey.


Saturday, 23 June 2012

Day 5 - Hamburg

This photo was taken on Day 5 of my journey. We were on our way to Hannover where I will be catching the bus to Mannheim.

I love the feeling of taking the train. Somehow it makes me contemplative.

A few weeks back I felt that my life was in doldrums. But now I have a feeling that things are just going to be fine. I still have a lot of questions. And I frankly I am accepting the fact that some might never be answered at all. But I guess one would just have to keep on moving.







Thursday, 21 June 2012

Day 2 - Paris

On my 2nd day in Paris I passed by the CS activity "Picnic du Jour", a daily Picnic activity hosted by Rodney. Too bad I was set to leave for Bremen that evening so I had to leave early. I guess I missed the rest of the CS folks. I hope to meet them when I pass by Paris in July.

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Day 1 - Paris

Do you know where're going to ?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?

This song was playing on my mind as I was taking the metro in Paris. It felt surreal. Yesterday I was just dodging the jeepneys in the busy highways of Manila and right now I am smack in a city that speaks a foreign language.

This is what I love about traveling. It reminds you that No, you were never the center of the universe. Out here if you ask a random person on the train, he would never have any idea of your hometown. It's as if your home, the whole place you've known as your universe while you were growing up, the people you've come to know, never existed. It's kinda scary if you think of it.

I have this crazy habit of analyzing people boarding the train and imagining the thoughts running through their minds. What were they thinking? Some might be thinking of what train connection to take. Some might wonder when he's going to have the balls to quit his job. Another might just be pondering on what Starbucks variant to order this time.

Or if someone is in his more profound moments, he'd probably be thinking like what I'm thinking right now, what is effing point in all of this?

So many questions. I guess I will have just to keep on asking for now.


Monday, 18 June 2012

Lost and Found

I know I have posted this picture before but I am reposting it again because I find it rather timely. I first saw this sign when I was in Vienna last year and ever since I was haunted by it.



Right now I am heeding the signs. I have quit my job and am taking this European backpacking adventure. I am at a loss right now because the reason why I quit my job was rather devastating. It's like I'm picking up the pieces of my broken self.

I must admit that I am lost right now. It's scary because I don't have any assurance that I will have a job waiting for me back home.

But hopefully after emptying my purse (almost) and starting a new life, I will soon find myself.

Sometimes one has to get lost in order to be found.

The journey begins...

Wednesday, 30 May 2012

The Tarzan Principle

In my previous job transfers I have always been guided by the Tarzan Principle.

It is a simple rule yet very useful.

The principle goes... "Never let go of the vine, unless you have a new vine to hold on to. Otherwise you'll fall".

Today, for the first time in my career I am violating that principle.

I am letting go of the vine, of my comfort zone, of my security with nothing definite to hold on to.

I am just relying on faith and conviction and unwavering commitment to one's values.
It's a bold leap into the unknown.
A venture unto unchartered territories
It's a bit scary but I know in my heart that it would be for the best.

Right now I am just relying on the wisdom of Mark Twain..

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”