I enjoy traveling, whether it is for
leisure or adventure. Even at an early age, I would look forward to
getting out of town with my parents, whether just going to Aunt
Prima’s house in Sibonga, or to Cebu City to visit aunts, uncles,
and cousins or to see a movie. If Father was going to our farm in
Valencia, I would ask to go with him.
After High School, I asked Father if
I could continue my college education in Manila, a metropolitan
place, a thousand miles away and where people do not speak my
language. While there, I would join university-sponsored out-of-town
excursions and enjoy the sights, food, and recreational activities.
After completing college in Manila,
I returned to my province, Cebu, where I taught and practiced
dietetics. During work breaks, however, my friends and I would visit
the neighboring towns or islands. Mother, who also liked to visit
places, had no objection to these trips. However, Father thought that
it is not wise and safe to be always in places other than home.
After
three years of professional work, I decided to come to America. I
waited for five years before receiving my travel permit. I was not
discouraged by the long wait. I was determined to come to America to
experience life on the other side of the world. Father was not
happy. Although I did not want to hurt his feelings, I chose to leave
because the urge to travel was very strong.
While
in America, the appeal to see places did not fade but because I had
other priorities in life, the places I visited were few.
Now,
in retirement, I had the opportunity to travel to Europe twice,
visited, and revisited the Dominican Republic where my daughter
Christie was a Peace Corps volunteer for three years, and had been
back to my home country, Philippines a few times.
I
am sure a number of you have traveled extensively and know how it
feels to be in places other than home.
What
are your thoughts on travel?
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