solo flight

Sorry to burst your bubble but this isn't another post about women on traveling solo. I'm still mustering enough guts to venture into one. I just leave it to the experts at this point. This is more of a collective account of some exploits in the past and activities that I love to do that is, unaccompanied.

1. My Davao trip last year was sort of a first in terms of traveling. My colleagues were booked ahead of me and I was scheduled a day after their departure. I didn't realize early on that it was my first time to ride a plane without a companion. 

Going around a huge city for the first two days, visiting Eden Garden and Philippine Eagle Sanctuary by my lonesome, were among the most memorable parts of this trip.

2. Trips without my family. I've been married for a long time already but it doesn't mean that I can't do things without my husband and vise-versa. That, includes traveling.

*out of town- Boracay, 2006. Although I was with my sister and a best friend, I actually didn't enjoy this escapade that much because I miss my family. And to add insult to injury, it happened at the height of storm Milenyo's wrath. 


*out of the country- Hongkong, 2009. Gave me also some sort of liberty that I haven't done in the past. As much I love running, I do walk a lot too. Too bad my friend can't keep up with me at night anymore, that I was left with no choice but to leave her in our hotel room and roam this charming city with just my ever dependable map and enough courage. The funnest part, I get to eat at my fave noodle house two nights in a row!

3. A Tagaytay-Nasugbu, Batangas road trip in 2005. I have my best friend and god daughter as companions, but it was so memorable because that was the first time I was able to drive outside of Metro Manila! Of course, without my husband's knowledge. *silly grin*

4. Watching movies. Yes, I did experienced it at times when I was still single. I get to choose my most convenient time, the type of movie and the food that I want to munch on. Just perfect.

5. Being the eldest in a brood of four(three girls and a boy), my family tend to be overprotective. But when I get to ride my first bike(a BMX one) at the age of thirteen, it gave me the opportunity to reach places beyond our subdivision unknown to my elders. Looking back, I think that gave me a premature feeling of independence in terms of wandering.

6. Driving. With just my fave music and my car as buddies, it is really therapeutic sometimes when you get to do it on your own. 

7. Running. I like joining zumba, kickboxing and step classes with a group in the gym, but running is an entirely different thing. As what I've stated in this post, "it is my ultimate "ME time", a meditative hour, a "sacred" one. It is something you could do by yourself, at your own pace, power and time. 

8. Shopping/Grocery shopping. Unlike other women, I'm not a groupie in terms of these activities. I save time and get to choose what I want. No pressure. 

9. Cooking. I do all the preparations, cooking and cleaning up. Biggest consolation, my boys are very appreciative of whatever is on our spread come mealtime.

10. Writing. I love how the great author Paulo Coelho puts it, "For me, writing is praying in solitude"... And when is the best moment? Mornings, when my mind's refreshed and unoccupied from a good night's sleep.

As much as I enjoyed being with my family, I must admit I take pleasure in being alone at times. Anyone who knows me would agree that I'm very independent. Even my parents when I was younger believe that I'm a loner sometimes. Totoo pala. And I think, nothing's wrong with that. 

Empowerment. Decisiveness. Self-esteem. Things that you gain when you experience to handle things on your own. It isn't too late to try!