To most Filipinos, leisurely traveling is equated to shopping. If it were a frequently visited destination, I’d probably skip the tourist spots and head to the shops. However, the past few weeks were not about visiting a frequented place. Hence, each day was valued-packed with uncommon sights and experiences. To give you an idea of how intense our two weeks were, here is our itinerary:
Days 1 – 2: Paris
Days 3 – 5: Provence
Days 6 – 9: Rome / Florence
Days 10 – 13: Amsterdam
Days 14 – 15: Paris
This itinerary is not part of a package tour. It is DIY, borne out of invites of several friends and our desire to cross off items in our bucket lists. Isn’t it obvious, we wanted to maximize the cost of the trip?
Despite the busyness of everything, we managed immerse ourselves into the local culture. We ate the local food, rode the public transport, befriended the French and the Italians, and tried to speak the local language. We wouldn’t get that experience from a package tour.
Since it was at least the 2nd visit for most of us, we’re quite glad that this time, we did everything at our own pace. We didn’t have to worry about being too tired to sing for a concert or a courtesy call and that we didn’t have to lug our costumes everywhere we go. We’re glad that at the end of the day, we had to time look back and assess how we spent our day.
We realized that we’re more mature travelers now. We finished the tourist spots on the first day and resisted the urge to shop. We made sure to sample the local cuisine and check out the region’s products. We lived as the Romans, French and Dutch did.
Travelling necessitates adjusting to the local way of doing things. I’d have to put my culture aside, along with everything familiar to understand that
… Parisians aren’t snobs. They’re still the fast-paced, fashionable people we know them to be. But they open up to someone who tries to speak their language. They are also very different from their Provencal brothers and sisters, who are warmer, more carefree and more family-oriented.
… Italians are very passionate people. They love their rich heritage and history but struggle with the economy that cannot support their passion. Our tour guide, who is an archeologist by profession, says that giving tours is more lucrative than digging. Rome has a lot of history graduates but no work is more financially rewarding than being a tour guide. Meanwhile, some Italians in the retail industry don’t know what customer service is. Shoe shopping isn’t as pleasurable as it is in most countries. I also expected more from McDonald’s at Via Nazionale.
… The Dutch, though allowed certain liberties (prostitution and smoking marijuana), are still very reserved people. They are not rowdy or loud. They can be very aggressive when mounted on their bikes. They are quite conversant in English, making them one of the most tourist-friendly cities in Europe.
Travelling is still the best form of learning any person should be exposed to. It can be mighty expensive. But, it is not bound by age or the state’s educational system.
Ultimately, it is a test of one’s patience, maturity, tolerance, and adaptability. It was an experience out of my comfort zone, making me appreciate and love my home country even more.
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