Besides Learning to Love Kimchi, I Learned That:

Note: I’m supposed to write this when all of my travel stories about each places that we went to have already been posted. But since I just simply know that it would take quite some time to finish all of those, I just decided to write this when I can still have the grasp of the words that relate to all the things that I’ve learned in a four-month duration---from the visa processing, itinerary planning, up to our four-day stay in Seoul. Sure, this might be a bit anti-climactic in relation to the loads of travel stories and snapshots that I have been posting but you may take away all of those and what would remain in me for years and years to come are these: lessons that can only be learned when one travels in an unfamiliar place.

1. The entries in your bucket list (even the ones which you think are the craziest) have actually the possibility of being crossed out one day.

2. In relation to the processing of our needed documents for the visa, I’ve learned that nothing that is of great value is easy. 

3. I might be scared to death inside, but I can actually do things for the first time, alone.

4. Even if I am perfectly capable of doing things, it helps to have people who are willing to make things a whole lot lighter for you.

5. If your train is travelling in the opposite direction in relation to the place where you’re actually going to, just laugh it off. There’s no use beating yourself of how dense you can be at times. Go down in one station and just buy another token. By then, you’ll never get lost even if you try.

6. The best way to kill time when the soles of your feet are screaming for surrender is to sit in a corner of a busy and crowded place and do people watching. It never fails.

7. Always bring a roll of fresh socks and a handy scarf when travelling. These are must haves especially for cold-sensitive persons (Like me!)

8. A very long travel by night in a bus while being alone is a must have experience.

9. Follow the advice of people older than you are when they say that you start traveling while young. You can never enjoy travelling as much as when your knees are still on their proper gear.

10. Travelling into a new place requires more courage than expenses.

11. Studying the road and subway system of the place wouldn’t guarantee that you wouldn’t get lost. A map is way different from the actual place. Be prepared to get lost and for a little adventure.

12. When lost, the ancient practice in order to be found still holds true: Ask for directions. 

13. Always read signboards and road signages. They will be part of your support system in a foreign place.

14. Being in a foreign place requires vigilance. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t smile or say hello to strangers.

15. Filipinos are everywhere.

16. No matter how discouraged we could be about our country, you will be surprised at how many foreigners will express their love for ‘pinas upon mentioning that you are a Filipino.

17. When you order unfamiliar dishes, be prepared to be served with wriggling creatures. So, think of strategies to be able to eat these living creatures.

18. Soju is an alcoholic drink no matter if it’s one of your great desires to drink it. So, if it tastes like ethyl alcohol, swallow it anyway, and smile your sweetest in the camera.

19. Take a lot of snapshots, no matter how narcissistic others may think about you. Many years from now, when you have forgotten the details of your travel stories , a glimpse of these photographs may just be what you need to ignite your memory. 

20. Don’t box a certain race unless you’ve been to their home country. 

21. When the plane finally takes off, no matter how cynical you may be or how short was your stay in a certain place , you will definitely feel the pang of separation anxiety. Just smile and realize that you can always come back. Or if not, just put in mind that there are unfamiliar places that are still waiting.

22. I’ve read once that if you want to know a certain person, travel with him/her. Then, you will know how they would react to challenging situations, long hours of waiting and walking, and unexpected circumstances along the way. And I must say that Ahne is one of the most awesome travel buddies that I’ve been with. I haven’t heard a single complaint when we had to wait or walk or when we got lost several times---we just laughed everything off. Nor did she threaten to just leave me (Ahahahahahaha!) when I had one of my scatter-brained episodes.

But,the most important of all these lessons is: Amidst all the unfamiliar faces in an unfamiliar place, God will be traveling with you.