The take off: Life lessons from taking solo flights

Feature

By Jennifer Velasco

Have you ever taken a long bus ride alone?

Many people haven’t tried it yet because they’re afraid to. For what reason, only heaven knows. But honestly, it isn’t as hard as it seems. As long as you have enough cash, you’ll be fine. It’s so simple, but don’t underestimate its simplicity. Great achievements sometimes come from simple things. As for me, I’ve enjoyed braving the road so much I can’t go on for a week without it. I haven’t achieved anything great financially like a travel gift cheque or something like that, but I’m proud to say I gained a few survival tips. Since I can’t hit the road for ridiculously inconvenient reasons and I stayed on one place long enough to get my head together, I decided to write them all down. I’m not sure how effective they would be when you’re about to act the part, but they sure worked for me. Here it goes:

1. You can never be ready by just sitting and waiting. Who needs readiness, anyway?

Get your impulsive side to take the lead, pal, at least just this once. Sure it’s nice to stay at home with all those TVs, blankets, the fridge, gadgets and stuff, but are you not wondering how it feels to be out there? It’s outrageously stupid how some would take forever just to prepare for a few hours’ trip. If you’re one of those control freaks who confidently sit and say “there’s a time for everything,” get real, man. It is cliché, but the only time you really have is NOW. The world won’t wait for you. While you’re stuck on the mundane activities you’ve saddled yourself with, on the other part, there could be joy, peace, or even love—that part where you refuse to be in. You might be surprised to find how much you’ve been missing just because you can’t dare yourself to try.

2. A trip’s just as long as you imagine it.

It really irks me when I talk about the places I’ve been then all of a sudden someone would say, “What? You travelled THAT long?” Please, don’t make it sound insanely boring. Yes, I sat on a bus for 19 hours and on another for almost the same stretch, but I never felt that it took me that long. I’m a very impatient person, but a whole day of internet-browsing or gaming just can’t beat the beauty outside my window that’s swiftly gracing my awestruck eyes. If someone’s waiting for me at the end of the long journey, that’s the bonus. The real prize is what I saw along the way. Let it be writ: Whether it’s travelling or whatever you’re into, indulge yourself in it and notice how quickly time passes by, or you won’t notice it at all.

3. Panic in Stealth Mode.

For lost kitties, a poker face is a travel BFF. And no, I’m not kidding. Though I’d like to believe that people are naturally good at heart and that Filipinos are highly hospitable beings, the truth is, there are aliens out there who are on the look-out to abuse humans with such beliefs. If you’re new and you’re not quite sure where you’re heading to, keep your guards up and don’t ever show signs that you’re dim-wittedly lost.

4. Play.

This is one of the many great pleasures of being a restless traveller—you can do anything without worrying what people would say about you. Being anonymous gets you the courage to try out all the crazy things you don’t usually do like smiling at a stranger, pigging out on foods you’ve long been craving for, or simply taking a walk at the park without thinking about your deadlines at school or work. Some would say it’s immature, but I don’t see anything wrong with pausing for a while and enjoying life’s little pleasures. Let’s admit it, sometimes we need to see our lives in someone else’s eyes or from afar to realize how tired or empty we actually are. What can I say? Let your freak flag fly!

5. Know your routes OR follow your instinct.

This is where the thrill’s at its maximum, man! It’s as if you were in a maze trying to find your way out. If you’re looking for adventure, throw your map away. Instead of dumbly staring at it and locating your poor self, your eyes are better drawn to the view outside your car. Besides, that piece of paper can’t show you how beautiful the surroundings are. Who knows? You might discover the Philippines’ next tourist attraction by lucky accident.

6. ALWAYS have an escape plan.

Plan Bs are never out of season for all the right reasons. Even though you’re confident that everything’s going to be fun and fabulous, it’s still best to have an alternative plan like eating at a fancy seafood restaurant because the rain’s pouring so hard on the beach. The goal here is making the best out of your misfortune. Just because things turned out bad doesn’t mean your mood has to be, too.

7. Remember to bring something home.

No matter how fun your escapade has been, you will always have to head home. After all the fun you had and the new things you’ve learned, you can only bring with you memories, and pictures, and food, and maybe, even the contact number of the cute guy (or gal) you made friends with. Aren’t these more than enough? Whether it’s souvenirs or pasalubong, a better you, or just stories to tell, it doesn’t matter. The most important thing is the realization that even though you’ve been with yourself forever, there’s still a whole lot to discover about you—things you actually have but never figured out. You’ll never know how awesome and brave a person you are if you would just settle for what you have now. Besides, no one gets out of this life alive so might as well have a blast living it all out.

Braving the road and even life alone isn’t as scary as it seems. Just play it by ear and make the rules as you go. When you finally mustered the courage to go sans company, you’re free to revise my list and might even consider giving me a run for my budding career. Why not?