I WROTE this piece instead, because I was dreading the task of packing.
I was supposed to finish packing two balikbayan care packages for the Philippines.
By the time you read this, I would have already been back in Baltimore.
And the balikbayan boxes would have already been picked up by the carrier.
***
Since coming to California in June, I have already filled up four boxes for the Philippines.
Two of them are just stuff for my mom, my brother, and his family.
Olay anti-ageing cream, Nutella spread, dozens and dozens of Spam, Vienna sausages, and Hershey’s chocolates.
Things you get in bulk from Costco: Pantene shampoo and conditioner, Dove soap bars, Caress soap bars, toothpaste, deodorants, Vitamin C.
And when the boxes are feeling too heavy, I even put in boxes of cereals as fillers.
***
Of the four boxes going to Iloilo, two are my stuff.
Mostly books.
Old books, new books, previously owned books.
Also some of my own clothes that I’m resting because it’s autumn already.
***
In May and early June, from Maryland, I already sent to the Philippines my sweaters and winter clothes.
I was thinking they should be good in cold Decembers.
Like I was so looking forward to simbang gabi.
Like I was so determined to be in Iloilo in August at the most.
***
But then, Canada happened.
And Alaska.
And Montana.
And the reunion with college classmates.
And the cruise to Mexico.
And now, I’m scheduled to fly back to Maryland.
And from there, I’m off to Europe.
***
I just booked myself to a trip in Europe.
My entry and exit point is Manchester.
I have a sister in that area of the UK.
From there, I could easily fly to any city I fancy in Europe.
And I will fly, you can be sure of that.
***
I’m not sure of what exactly I am going to do.
Or how much I’m going to spend on this trip.
But my flight bookings are for November 30 to February 28.
Which means, I will be across the Atlantic in the whole months of December, January, and February.
***
I have planned to stay a while in the eastern block:
Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia.
But with news of Europe becoming the new epicenter of the pandemic, and the low vaccination rates in these countries, I’m rethinking my plans.
Of course, they have three weeks to improve things for me.
***
Maybe even seven weeks, if I don’t fly from the UK to the Europe block until January.
I mean, my British niece has a birthday around Christmas.
And it’s more logical to just stay with family, and friends in the vicinity, for the Christmas season.
I can bond with them.
Make them feel they are important, and fully attended.
***
And then, when I turn 53 in January, I can just go wherever the hell I want to go.
So yeah, in 2017, my grand European tour was about four months long: September, October, November, December.
But I traveled in many places then.
Seventeen countries or states, including the Vatican.
***
This time around, I just want to stay in a few select places.
Maybe in places where I will be completely foreign.
Like Gyor in Hungary.
Or Koszalin in Poland.
***
Or I can go in familiar places where I’ve always felt welcomed.
Like Milan.
Or Paris.
Or Stockholm.
***
Truth be told, I really want to go home to Dumangas, and start my simple life as a writer-gardener.
But that doesn’t seem to be a healthy option right now.
I don’t think people are ready to work for me.
So what can really be done in the Philippines right now?
***
With the elections coming up, it is time again for laziness in the Philippines.
I mean, why would people work so hard if they know money from vote buyers will be coming to them?
And why would they work so hard to earn a living if they can be employed as online trolls, and campaign managers?
***
I have no interest in living in Europe.
And if 2017-2021 pattern is any indication, my next trip wouldn’t be until about 2025.
So yeah, I want to do this European Tour 2021.
So that if I don’t see Europe again after this, I should be fine.
And Europe will be fine without me. Haha!/PN
