Random Snapshots From A Moving Train

Not-So-Accidental Tourist

"I want to travel the wonders of the world". I distinctly remember these precocious words as I always wrote them down in response to the question "What is your ambition in life?" in those "slum books" that my classmates passed around towards the end of a school year in grade school and high school. When most of my friends would reply "doctor", "engineer", "teacher", "nurse", or "CPA", I never wavered. Maybe I just didn't know what I wanted to pursue as a profession (and who really does anyway at that age?). Perhaps I was strongly influenced by the books I've read and the places I saw on TV and in the movies. Whatever it was, I've had the case of "itchy feet" for so long than I can ever recall.

Although I had a relatively blissful childhood, there was this burning desire to explore whatever was outside the perimeter of our lethargic and rural city. Admittedly, my decision to take up Nursing was also motivated by the chance to study and live in a diverse and urban metropolis such as Cagayan de Oro City. It wasn't exactly the biggest exploration ever but it was a start. Despite a very limited allowance and sometimes without my parents' knowledge and permission, I managed to go to places within the vicinity and outlying areas. Typically, travel and taking a vacation is pretty much a luxury and not a priority in a Filipino's life. Except perhaps when venturing out to the neighboring town's fiesta or if visiting some friends and relatives, it's not uncommon or farfetched that a Pinoy might not have ever stepped outside the boundaries of his/her own city or province. There's nothing wrong with that although I wish that they will also get to experience another world outside of what they know. It sure could make your outlook in life broader and enriched. I know it did with me anyway.

When I first arrived in the US, it was almost like I was possessed. Spurred by the sights and the novelty of the fresh environment, I embarked on a whirlwind of excursions and sprees to several key US cities and popular destinations. I was fortunate to be friends with people who had the same elan and fervor as I have. We shared the same pursuit to satisfy our curiosity and sense of adventure. It seemed like we were constantly on field trips. We were such avid tourists so much so that we acquired a sundry of mementos such as coffee mugs, t-shirts, magnets, keychains, thimbles, spoons, postcards, and scores of various trinkets that one ordinarily comes across at souvenir shops anywhere . We reveled in our growing collection of tokens from our travel but we mostly treasured the memories of being there. Browsing through my numerous albums of photos from such trips reminds me of the great times we had together. I must confess that I also enjoy seeing other people's vacation and travel photos in Friendster. I just feel a keen sense of connection with folks who've traveled and have similar experiences like mine. They surely inspire me to explore even more.

   

Although there are still a lot of spots in the US that I want to sightsee, I was more than ready to finally explore Europe. After all, the defining moment of my desire to travel was when I first viewed my Aunt Agnes' photos from her European tour so many years ago. I recall setting my eyes on her image with the Eiffel Tower in the background and I silently pledged to myself, "I will go there someday". Last year, that oath was kept. A few months ago, I made another pilgrimage to Europe and fulfilled my dream to visit Salzburg, renowned from a beloved movie "Sound of Music". I also got to appreciate the beauty of Prague which became a favorite of mine.

As some people probably know from my new profile photos, I recently had a weekend holiday in Canada, particularly the Niagara Falls in Ontario. It wasn't my first visit there but the last time I went was during the winter season so I was indeed keen to view the area differently this time around. Although it was a long drive (more or less 8 hours) to get there, the magnificent and breathtaking sight of the natural and industrial wonder was worth the trip. Not far away from the falls is a commercial hub of hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops and other tourist traps. I guess they're the necessary evil in order for a travel destination to thrive. Overall, it was an enjoyable outing especially since I was with a vivacious group of friends and their families.

After several trips, I am nowhere close to slowing down. In fact, with every place I visit, I hanker for more. There's just so much of the world to explore. If I have unlimited financial resources, I would undoubtedly make travel my main preoccupation in life. As luck would have it, after these oh-so-short holidays, I have to rejoin the ranks of the wage-earning and income-chasing  populace. Thank goodness for mini-getaways or I would have gone out of my mind if I don't get a break from time to time. Of course, I'm already looking forward to the next one. It's just a matter of time (and money, of course).

Travel Advisory

A lot of readers of my travel blogs expressed interest in exploring Europe someday and although I am in no way a travel expert like Rick Steves and I've only been to a few places, I'm feeling rather inclined to share a few nuggets of wisdom to make their own journey easier and smoother. The best way to ensure a carefree and relaxing trip is to prevent problems before they happen. The more you learn about travel basics, the less likely you are to have difficulties.

Compared to those who have backpacked throughout  Europe, our trips were on a slower pace and of shorter duration. Despite that, we still found ourselves wishing we did some things differently. Prior to our first trip last year, we read up on websites such as Lonely Planet that gave a lot of valuable information but we found the journey the best learning experience in itself.

Planning for a trip can be quite daunting and overwhelming but exciting as well. Just looking forward to seeing those new and foreign places will be incentive enough in getting the task done. Of course, your itinerary will be determined on the places you are planning on visiting. I would suggest looking up maps to determine their geographic locations and relative distances and to figure out transportation needs and transfers. You can also then plan on the length of time to spend on each places and the accommodations needed. Create your own time line or calendar so you can keep track of all the important information including flight info, fares, hotel addresses/tel #s, train departures and arrivals, train stations and fares, tour schedules and fees, daily itinerary, etc. Adhering to a certain schedule might not be your kind of spontaneous fun but it certainly keeps you on track so you'll be able to visit all or most of the places you want to see.

Choosing hotel accommodations can be a painstaking task. It certainly is an issue especially since the standards and rates might not be comparable with most US hotels. Unless you have someone's recommendation, it will be to your advantage to research and read up on reviews from other travelers. For us, we opted to choose from a fairly known chain of hotels, Accor Hotels, since we had an okay experience with them last year. They might still not be according to your standards but were generally commendable enough. Choose hotels that are within the vicinity of the sightseeing destinations and with easy access to public transportation. It's cost effective and adventurous as well.

Once you have all the travel details taken cared of, it's time to start packing. Yey! This also needs a lot of preparation. I would recommend making a list. Check the TSA website for the updates on restrictions. For a hassle-free and speedy security screening, follow the 3-1-1 For Carry-ons and the list for Permitted and Prohibited Items. I would also further suggest to wear slip-on shoes and to avoid wearing a belt with metal buckle or any clothing with metallic accessory to avoid any delay in going through those detectors. If carrying electronic devices, find out which ones need to be checked in and which ones need to be taken out of the carry-ons separately. That includes the laptop computer if bringing one.

When researching for last year's trip, the common tip we got was to travel lightly. Well, we really thought that we got it made since our luggage was about half the size of what we usually bring when visiting the Philippines. Na-ah! We still found ourselves having difficulties when we had to go through turnstiles and revolving doors and whenever we have to quickly get on and off the trains and buses. Some train stations don't have escalators or elevators so we had to haul our luggage up and down the flights of stairs. Poor Kenny had it really tough last year ;-(  Despite having two wheels on my luggage, it became so heavy eventually and it felt like my arms were falling off from carrying it around. For this last trip, we invested on a couple of Samsonite 22" Spinner luggage. They were equipped with four wheels that can swivel in any direction for greater maneuverability. Instead of the usual two wheels, spinners have four on the bottom that can turn 360 degrees. Just like regular rolling suitcases, they can be tipped backwards and pulled but they can also be kept upright and rolled in any direction, making them particularly useful in tight spots.   Pushing the bag sideways, for one, can come in handy in a narrow airplane aisle. Truly a great buy!

Since our luggage were just a size over the regular carry-ons, it forced us to not over-pack. It took a few trials of packing and unpacking to finally decide on what were essentials or not. Heeding the advice of travel experts, we brought travel size toiletries and made sure our clothes were easily mixed and matched as well as weather-appropriate (Note: regularly check the weather forecast of the places you're visiting). Although we originally planned on getting some of our clothes washed by the hotel laundry service, their steep prices (about $12 for a pair of jeans?) were so discouraging so we ended up washing them ourselves in the bathroom sink. Therefore, make sure your clothing pieces are easily washable and quick to dry. I would suggest washing dirty clothes upon arriving at the next location so you'll have enough drying time. Bring a small container for detergent and also use the hotel's liquid soap for washing. I'm proud to say that we never had to spend a single euro for laundry this time. Back to the basics (kuskos), ya'll ;-)

One other tip that I can't stress enough is picking the most comfortable and durable footwear possible. Traveling around Europe means a LOT of walking and most often on cobblestone streets and paths. Your feet will thank you if you wisely choose practicality over style or fashion. If they are a new pair of shoes, break them in first before the trip or you'll have painful blisters to deal with. Not the best way to enjoy your vacation at all.

Once you are all packed up, go through the checklist and  make sure your travel documents are in order. Make two copies of your passport identification page to facilitate replacement if lost or stolen. Do the same with the debit and credit cards you're using. Leave one copy at home with a trusted relative/friend and carry the other with you in a separate and secure place. Also leave a copy of your itinerary with family and friends at home so you can be easily contacted in case of an emergency.

One more thing that is important is to familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries you are visiting. While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. Knowing a few common phrases or words in their language can be helpful as well.

Hmmm... what else? I'm sure a lot of readers out there can add more to my list. Feel free to do so. It will be much appreciated, I'm sure. So, for those who are in the process of planning for their first or next trip, there's no need to stress yourself out. There's so much information out there. Don't forget to load up your Ipod with your favorite tunes, take as many photos or video footages and blog about your adventures if possible. It's always fun to read back on your entries and relive your journeys all over again. Happy trails, everyone!

Bohemian Rhapsody

On our last day in Praha, we planned on visiting the Jewish Quarter to view the Old Jewish Cemetery but due to the long lines, we decided to pass up on it and headed over to Mala Strana instead. With only a few hours left, we just didn't have enough time to spend standing around waiting in lines.

Mala Strana was just too picturesque for words. The cobblestone side streets, quaint burgher houses, boutique shops, churches, Czech pubs and restaurants all contributed to its charm and history. It's one place that we would definitely like to revisit again soon. In an attempt to aptly describe the place , here's another slide show for you to view.

 

As recommended by Kenny's brother, we decided to go back to Mala Strana late that night. Most of the shops were already closed and the crowd have trickled to a few night time revelers and tourists. Some cafes were still open so we ventured into one of them and dined on Beef Goulash again (my third one in 3 days!) I think I might have been born Czech in a past life, don't you think so? ;-)

While strolling through the Nerudova Street and climbing up to the Prague Castle, we can't help but acknowledge why this place is a favorite setting for films. In fact, actress Angelina Jolie is presently in Prague filming the movie Wanted. I was secretly hoping that I'll run into her or Brad Pitt. Hey, I'm available for adoption too. Yeah, I am such a dork ;-)

Lit only by a few streetlights, one can easily imagine being transported back in time to the 17th to 19th century. The buildings, churches and palaces took on a sinister aura that was almost tangible. I let my imagination run wild and thought about the movies I've seen that were probably filmed there. I almost half expected Jack the Ripper, Dracula or some ghoulish creatures to jump out from the shadowy alleys and suck the life out of us. Booo! 

When we got back to the hotel, I did a little research and found quite a long list of films shot in various locations of Czech Republic. Had I known this, I would have paid more attention to the backgrounds and settings. Anyway, here's just a few examples:

The Brothers Grimm (2005)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe (2005)                                                 
Oliver Twist (2005)                               
Shanghai Knights (2003)                                    
Blade II (2002)
The Bourne Identity (2002)                                     
A Knight's Tale (2001)
Spy Game (2001)
Mission: Impossible (1996)

Well, there you go. I hope you enjoyed this trip as much as we did. Thanks for coming along ;-)

Czech Me Out!

Prague, finally! As I've mentioned previously, I've tried to visit this place twice before and didn't make it due to visa requirements. You can just imagine my relief when the border officer stamped my passport with nary a question. Having a US passport truly made it a breeze to get in and out of countries when traveling. Well, there was a little glitch during our transport to Prague from Vienna. We already had our train tickets but didn't think to verify what station the train will be leaving from. We just assumed it would be the same one we arrived at in Vienna. Big mistake! We got to the train station with plenty of time but we didn't check out the board for the departures so we found out too late that we had to take a tram to another train station about 10 stops away. We missed our train by minutes but had to wait for more than 3 hours for the next one. Grrr!!! Anyway, we whiled the time away surfing the net and hanging out at the lounge for 1st class ticket holders. That made the wait a bit tolerable but I was just itching to get going.

I have to admit that I had a rather disappointed reaction to Prague on our arrival. It can be mostly attributed to the rather unimpressive surrounding at the train station and the unpleasant experience of dealing with the taxi drivers who seemed out to take advantage of our need for transportation. We were already forewarned about this so we tried to figure out the map for train routes but after much confusion and exhaustion, we gave up and coughed up $50.00 plus for the 20 minute drive to our hotel. The short drive didn't make me feel any better either as we passed by a lot of buildings with graffiti and streets littered with garbage. In my mind, I couldn't believe how so many people can be so wrong when they raved about how beautiful the city is. I know I should not have been too quick to judge. First impressions can't always be right.

After a much needed sleep and hearty breakfast, we were ready to explore Prague. Luckily, our hotel was just less than a block away from the Metro A station which could take us to the places we wanted to visit. We bought a whole day train pass and made our first stop at the area where my brother-in-law used to live to take some pictures for him. On our way out of the station, we ran into a sticky situation with the transportation police when they asked to inspect our tickets. It turned out that we failed to get it stamped before we got on the train. Kenny was already cautioned by his brother about this but he just didn't see or know where the stamping machines were located. Although it was an honest oversight, the officer proceeded to penalize us for the violation and we paid an extra 500 czk ($25.00). So, for those who are planning to visit Prague in the future, keep this in mind. They don't take these things very lightly at all.

Refusing to let the incident spoil our day, we started our sightseeing on foot at the New Town. It is the more modernized part of Prague but still has a lot of impressive structures to impress tourists like me. After what seemed like hours of walking, we stumbled unto Old Town and were even more amazed at how well preserved the buildings are and the intricacy of their details. As soon as I thought I saw the most magnificent architecture of them all, we turned a corner and another one easily took the words out of our mouths. I was practically reeling from everything that I saw in a matter of 4 hours.

With legs aching and growling stomachs competing for attention, we decided to take a lunch break at a restaurant that serves Czech cuisine. I opted for Beef Goulash with Dumplings and it was definitely one of the best meals I've had so far during this trip. Kenny was equally satisfied with his Roast Pork with Dumplings. I mentally promised myself to request my mother-in-law to prepare the same meal when we get back to the US.

We spent the rest of the day walking down the famed St. Charles Bridge. It was already very crowded by then but we still had an awesome time viewing the sights and the many statues lining the bridge. There were also souvenir stands and street musicians. Being at the bridge also provided a great view of the Prague Castle. At the end of bridge was Mala Strana which we planned to visit the next day since we were already quickly running out of steam.

We headed back to our hotel but not without a hitch. Kenny almost had his wallet pick pocketed in the train. Apparently, pickpockets are quite notorious in Prague. That's one more thing to watch out for. I was just glad that the episode didn't get out of hand. It could have turned ugly if the culprits didn't get off the train at the next stop after Kenny signaled them to leave.

Yep, the day was really full of adventure and it totally sapped out a lot of whatever energy we have left. We decided to have an early night as we anticipated another hectic day. I wish you were all with me to actually experience the sights. Anyway, here's another slide show to share. Enjoy!

The Viennese Waltz

Our two days in Vienna was sort of a letdown. Our hotel room was a bit too small than we expected and there was apparently no air conditioning system. What a disaster since the temperature happened to be in the 80s and Kenny's temper wasn't dealing so well with the heat. We ventured out to the center of the city to purchase some shorts for him, anticipating that it will still be warm the next day. We should have checked the weather forecast since it turned out to be a chilly and rainy day.  Anyway, we still managed to squeeze in some sightseeing and decided to make it a priority to visit the Schonbrunn Palace.

The vast complex of Schonbrunn Palace, together with its park, covers 176 hectares (435 acres). The palace itself is one of the city's most imposing sights and we practically spent at least half a day to explore the buildings and the grounds. Having said that, Kenny and I agreed that after having visited the Chateau de Versailles in Paris last year, Vienna's Schonbrunn Palace paled in comparison. We appreciate its history and unique features especially the gardens but we have to pick a favorite. That's just our humble opinion. We surely are no experts on history and architecture. Anyway, we had a great time taking pictures and exploring the vast area. Midway through our tour, the skies darkened and rain came pouring down but we didn't let it deter us from going through the Maze Gardens and we had fun finding our way out of it. We pretended we were competing in the Amazing Race and that was our detour challenge ;-)

Despite being cold and wet, we decided to push our endurance and find other places of interest and we came upon the St. Stephen's Cathedral. It is situated in the city center and for centuries has been the heart of Vienna. Built in 1147, Stephansdom is one of the city's famous landmarks and its most important German Gothic religious monument. Its dark and gloomy features were oddly appealing to us. Unfortunately, our camera doesn't seem to work as good when it comes to interior shots. Although the Duomo Cathedral in Milan, Italy was magnificent with its spires and intricate details, the St. Stephen's cathedral is a force to be reckoned with and was surely worth seeing.

Next, we strolled down the shopping hub of Vienna centered on Karntnerstrasse, the Hofburg, Kohlmarkt and Graben. The theme is upmarket, with a plethora of art and antique shops. This is also a prime area to sample the city's famous coffee houses. After some negotiation, we stopped at the Fratelli il gelato to sample their wide selection of high-caloric goodies. Well, after having logged a lot of hours and miles of walking for the past few days, I deserved a big bowl of ice cream while Kenny settled for a little caffeine pick-me-up.

Tired and worn out from the day's adventures, we finally headed back to the hotel for a much needed nap (yeah, we seemed to be doing that a lot on this trip). We woke up hungry late at night so we braved to try the Yellow restaurant a block away. Feeling sated and rejuvenated, we got ready for our train trip for the last leg of our vacation (Prague, Czech Republic). Even with the stress of travel, I couldn't deny the excitement and anticipation of finally seeing the place I attempted to visit twice before but was unsuccessful due to visa issues. The third time's the charm, I hope.

As we prepared to leave Austria behind, Kenny and I discussed a few things that we liked and disliked so far during this trip. Firstly, we liked our stay in Salzburg a whole lot better than in Vienna (no offense meant to people living in Vienna). I suppose we preferred the relaxed vibe and the countryside feel of Salzburg compared to the hectic hustle and bustle of a big city. With due respect, Vienna felt like any other city in the US despite the language difference. Sure, it has some interesting architecture and points of interests but it seemed to lack a distinct character to set it apart from the other places we've visited. Maybe there's more to it than what we saw but we felt like we could have omitted it in our itinerary and we wouldn't miss it at all. It just didn't have that "awe factor" that we had with other places such as Venice and Rome.

The one thing we did like was their transportation system. The constant presence of trams, buses and trains made it a breeze to get around. We had an easy access to amenities since our hotel was situated in a very busy district of the city. It also seemed to have a diverse population. I've come across a few Filipinos in stores and on the streets. It was almost like in Milan, come to think of it.

One more thing that we noted was the prevalent use of a wireless system in restaurants. The wait staff has a hand held device on which they just punch in the orders. Very cool! Also, you can directly pay for your meal to the wait staff who carries around a folder wallet, ready with the appropriate change if needed. It's apparently popular and widely used in Europe. I wish the US food establishments will start doing the same. That would really be neat and efficient. Hmmm, what else? I think I've chattered enough for this entry. I hope I haven't bored you to tears yet ;-) Anyway, here are more photos to share.

So Long, Farewell Salzburg

As we boarded the train bound for Vienna, Austria, I couldn't help feeling a bit forlorn that we're leaving Salzburg behind. The last 3 days had been a great start to our journey and I was anxious that anything else from here on will be a letdown. Yeah, that's just me being a romantic pessimist. I surely don't expect every place we visit to be magnificently gorgeous or scenic. Every country or city usually have their share of seedy or boring areas so it's unrealistic to believe that every place will be impressive. That's one of the things I like about traveling. It's an adventure as well as an education in itself.

Aside from the tours that we took, Kenny and I spent most of our evenings exploring the city of Salzburg, most particularly the Getreidegasse. It's about a 15 to 20 minutes walk from our hotel. The charm of the Getreidegasse, probably Salzburg's most famous shopping lane, is not only generated by the high, narrow houses tightly nestled together, the enticing shops and the wrought iron guild signs, but also the romantic passageways and courtyards. Since most stores are closed by 6:30 pm, we just contented ourselves with looking at their display windows and be blown away by their tag prices. An umbrella can cost 120.00E (about $140.00) at one of the high end stores. I wasn't really motivated to indulge in retail therapy since that wasn't what we came to Europe for. I was more than happy just being in a place I've dreamed of visiting. Alas, we can't stay there forever.

Since it's only been more than a year since our last trip to Europe, a lot of the things I find different and peculiar were still fresh in my mind. The first time I requested for water in a restaurant, I quickly remembered to ask for water with no gas. The other kind will be one that has fizz in it and tastes like a very watered down Sprite. We also had to acquaint ourselves with their train and bus lines so we can easily get around to places. We did notice that bikes were predominantly used by the locals and tourists. I can't blame them. Cab fares can take a huge dent in one's budget if you rely heavily on taxis. Anyway, most places were accessible enough on foot. It was a fun way to workout and burn those extra calories from pizzas, ice cream, pastries and beer. We can't help but wish that our dogs were with us. They'd surely enjoy the walks as well. Oh, we do miss them terribly!

Those who have read my travel blogs from last year know that I have the penchant for taking photos of garbage cans or bins. I don't know where this interest came from but I just find it fascinating to collect these images. I guess it helps remind me of each places and their similarities and differences. Aside from that, I also like to snap pictures of things, places and people that caught my fancy for some reason or another. Needless to say, we were almost always with a camera (with lots of extra batteries) and a videocam (fully charged) so nothing gets missed. Here's another slideshow for you to view.

Climb Every Bavarian Mountain

As if the Sound of Music tour was not enough, we signed up for another guided tour last Sunday. This time, it was an excursion to the Bavarian Alps including a visit to the Salt Mines. We opted to take the afternoon schedule to give us time to catch up on our sleep and relaxation. By the time our bus left the Mirabell Square at 2 pm, the temperature has risen to the high 70s and for some questionable reason, the a/c wasn’t turned on. Thankfully, a strong breeze wafted through the opened sunroof and kept us from being extremely warm and uncomfortable.

We crossed the Salzach using the main city bridge and passed alongside the baroque old city. We went along the Alpenstrasse to the old Austrian-Bavarian border crossing (to Germany) at Marktschellenberg. We followed along the King’s Lake river through the picturesque Bavarian Alpine valley. Through the scenic farm villages and past romantic farm-houses, we arrived at the Obersalzberg (approx. 3000ft or 1000m above sea-level). This was where the rulers of the Third Reich once resided and was where the road leading up to the Eagle’s Nest (Hitler’s former Conference Centre) starts. The Eagle’s Nest can be reached by means of a coach and elevator. Anyway, that’s a separate tour altogether and I don’t think I can handle the high altitude at all.

The highlight of our tour was the over 450-year-old Salt Mines. Wearing the traditional miners’ clothes, we entered the mines on a special train. Throughout the tour, we heard historical as well as legendary tales of the fascinating underground world. Using the same slides as hundreds of miners before, we descended to the grottos, the magical world beneath the surface of the earth. There was also the romantic raft sail on the salt lake, a truly amazing experience. On the train trip back to the exit, a group of people in our tour harmoniously sang like a choir and their beautiful voices echoed through the narrow walls of the mine. It almost seemed like the music was played in a surround-sound system. What a treat!

After the Salt Mines tour, there was a short visit to the town of Berchtesgaden where I enjoyed the most sinfully delicious slice of Apple Strudel, coupled with a tall glass of iced coffee. I never thought an apple strudel could taste that good! The rest of the trip back to Salzburg was mostly spent gazing at the breathtaking scenery while listening to classical music. I can’t help but wish I live in a place like this. Anyway, the daydreaming came to an end soon enough. We trudged back to our hotel and took a much-needed nap. After all, we just climbed a lot of mountains ;-)

Somewhere in My Childhood

As I've mentioned from the last entry, I am such a long-time and huge fan of the movie "Sound of Music" that I know almost every scene and songs by heart. Yes, it was indeed a dream come true when I actually saw and visited some of the locations where the movie was filmed or based on. It was a wonderful tour with breathtaking views of the countryside while listening to the original movie soundtrack which made it even more exciting and poignant. Here are the key points of the tour:

Mirabell Gardens. Maria and the children were seen dancing around the statue of the Pegasus, the winged horse, and throughout the gardens singing "Do-re-mi". If I wasn't too bashful of a person, I would have run around the gardens and belt out a few notes myself ;-)          

Leopoldskron Palace. The front exterior of the palace was used as the Trapp family home, the children were boating on the lake and fell into the water. The Venetian room was copied from this palace and used as the ballroom. I wouldn't have minded if we can also cross the lake and fall into it. Hmmm... maybe not. I'm sure the water is still cold at this time of the year.    

Hellbrunn Palace. The glass pavilion in the gardens was reconstructed here for the pleasure of those fans still returning after more than 40 years. "I am 16, going on 17"...  

Mondsee Cathedral. The wedding scene was filmed here. Maria, led by Liesl, walked down the aisle to meet the baron in front of the main altar. "How do you solve a problem like Maria...". Gosh, I must have dreamed of that scene so many times. I tried to have that song played for my wedding march but the church won't allow it because it was apparently a nonsecular song. I was crushed! Anyway, the main altar was undergoing renovation at this time so I was unable to take a better photo.     

St. Gilgen and Lake Wolfgang. Scenery shown at the beginning of the movie was filmed at Lake Fuschl on the way to St. Gilgen. The tour also took us through the most beautiful part of Salzburg, the Sazkammergut, with its lakes and mountains, villages with century old churches and houses profusely decorated with flowers on their balconies. I took quite a lot of photos so feel free to view the slide show for more.

Due to time limitations, we weren't able to visit the Nonnberg Abbey where Maria was a novice. The Baron and Maria were actually married here in 1927. The scenes from the movie included the opening with the nuns going to mass and Maria arriving too late. I would have love to visit the abbey and perhaps listen to the nuns singing. Oh, well.. maybe next time, right?

A Few Favorites

Just want to share a few photos from our Sound of Music tour this morning. It took almost 4 hours and at the end of it, Kenny and I definitely saw more of Salzburg than the movie showed us. It was easy to see that the place has inspired the film and the music. It was amazing how famous the film really was as evidenced by the variety of nationalities of the people in the tour bus. They have probably seen the movie numerous times before like me. I swear I can most likely play the whole movie in my mind. Anyway, here are a few scenes to refresh your memory. Enjoy!

The Hills Are Alive!

Guten Morgen, my friends! After almost 12 hours of uncomfortable plane travel and sleep deprivation, Kenny and I finally reached the first leg of our trip, Salzburg, Austria. As what I have posted in my new year's resolution entry, I resolved to make another pilgrimage to Europe this year. We originally planned to travel with my mother-in-law and brother-in-law but due to some circumstances, they couldn't make it this time. I suppose it worked out for us since Luke (bro-in-law) agreed to watch our dogs for us while we're away. I definitely feel better now that I know they will be looked after by somebody familiar.

There are so many places in Europe that we would like to visit and explore but we picked Austria (Salzburg and Vienna) and Prague for the simple reason that Kenny's ancestors originally hailed from there. For myself, I've always dreamed of being in the place where my favorite movie "Sound of Music" was filmed. Kenny saw the movie DVD for the first time last January which is a great thing so he'll at least know why I might belt out a tune or two (ex: " The hills are alive with the sound of music..." and "How do you solve a problem like Maria?...") during this trip.

When we were about to land on Salzburg, we caught a glimpse of the mountains that seemed to surround the city below us. The lush greenery was quite a huge contrast to the cityscape one usually see when approaching Chicago's O'hare Airport. We knew right away that we made the right decision in coming to this beautifully scenic place. We were even more convinced when we reached our hotel and viewed the mountain outside our balcony's windows. We could literally hear the birds chirping outside. We woke up to the same sound at 4 am and spent the early morning hours watching the sun brighten the horizon. The environment has definitely invigorated us to be ready for the day's activities. Even Kenny, who's not such a morning person, was up and ready to go for breakfast downstairs.

We booked ourselves for the Sound of Music tour today. We definitely looked forward to this since we started planning for this trip. It might not be as interesting to some but I would be glad to share our trip and photos to you guys in the next few days. As long as I have Internet access, you know I can't stay away from Friendster for too long ;-) Till next post... Auf Wiedersehen!

Homecoming Queen

Below is an edited version of a comment I left in my cyberfriend Makis' blog in response to her post on "Looking New". I just thought I'd elaborate more on this as I am about to do the "balikbayan" thing again in a few weeks. I might get a little flak from people who might get offended but rest assurred, this post is not meant to be derogatory. Just my honest take on what it's like to be a "returnee".

When I first went home in 1998 after 4 years of living in the US, my skin apparently got lighter but I didn't really even notice it until my family and relatives brought it to my attention and when the mosquitoes made me a target of their voracious appetite (you should have seen where they bit me . It was quite embarrassing when they kept telling me that I look like a "kana" daw. Say what?!!! Well, I did feel like an American in a sense that I had this weird perspective of feeling taller than anybody else. Everybody just seemed shorter although I'm barely 5 ft tall myself. My first initial reactions were that the roads and highways seemed narrower and the traffic was a lot more harrowing than I remembered. And let's not even mention the pollution and the presence of garbage everywhere. After a brief period of reverse culture shock, I started feeling more at home again.

The one thing I did notice was the lack of common things to talk about with people I used to hang out with. It seemed like they didn't change much but it was kinda awkward when they expected me to be the same and pick up where I left off. I got flustered when asked, "Kumusta ang buhay America?" How do I respond to this without sounding like I was bragging or being a show-off? Also, there's just so much you can say about your present life and still keep the sense of privacy you've come to appreciate. My first visit was also rifed with disagreements with my family. I had a difficult time adjusting to the idea of telling them about my plans and whereabouts. After living independently for 4 years, it took me awhile to get used to asking for my parents' permission again. That and being woken up at 7:00 in the morning for breakfast. I was just so used to doing things at my own time and pace that it was unnerving to live with a family again.

On my next visit, I left around summertime here and had been spending more time outdoors so I was a bit more tanned. People then said that I was darker than my sister (who's living in Pinas). Ay, sus! Why do they have such fixation on my skin coloring just because I was galing ibang bansa? I just shrugged off those comments as I didn't see any point in a response. When in the Philippines, especially on the summer months, I prefer more casual wear (shorts, tees, flats) due to the warm and sweltering weather. As far as I'm concern, anybody is entitled to wear whatever they want but I honestly don't get the jeans and high heels that I noticed some girls were wearing at the malls or on the streets. It's just way too hot to be wearing denim. I can't also imagine being able to get easily in and out of public transportations wearing high-heeled footwear. But, that's just me. Maybe my fashion style is too boring and understated for the Philippines.

The one thing that most balikbayans have been criticized about is their tendency to speak English, be they fluent or not, with or without a strong Pinoy accent. I did notice that some really do make a point to be seen as such. It's quite obvious to see at the airports. But then again, I'm guilty about the "English-speaking" thing as well . During the first few days of my visit, I found it more comfortable at times expressing myself in English to my immediate family and close friend. I'm sure if any outsiders were listening or eavesdropping, they might judge me to be pretentious. I don't claim to have forgotten my native dialect (Bisaya), but after a reasonable time of being in an English-speaking country, one does tend to start "thinking" in English therefore speaking the language comes more naturally. There might be weeks on end that I might not have the opportunity to utter a single Bisaya word. No exaggeration there. Just imagine the scenario. I used to work at a unit where I was the only Filipino. No such luck at home since I'm married and living with an American. You go out to shop and you'll seldom see another Filipino. When I'm with my Filipino friends, Tagalog is the dialect of choice since we came from different regions of the Philippines. Come to think of it, we use English so much in our conversations too. So, before you snicker behind the backs of these English-speaking balikbayans, give them a little benefit of doubt (or A- for effort?). Not all of us are out there to rub it in everybody's faces. Okies?

Being a balikbayan comes with an expectation that you've been living a life in high style. My brother asked me once upon my arrival why my hair wasn't rebonded? Huh? Never heard of that at all. I'd be lucky if I get my hair trimmed at a decent salon twice a year. So darn expensive at $45.00. I almost never get my nails done at all because of the nature of my job (lots of handwashing involved). As much as I would appreciate a nice Swedish massage, I couldn't stomach paying the $65.00 or more for an hour. Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining that I am where I am now but there are just so many misconceptions about how we live here. Some of which might be propagated by the balikbayans themselves. Oh, well. To each his/her own.

Before this rambling gets out of hand, let me just say that so much have changed and as much as I consider myself basically the same old me, I can't deny that I have grown and evolved over the years. It's inevitable, regardless of the geographical location. One thing is for sure. Being a US passport holder will never change the ultimate truth that I was born and raised in the Philippines . That's a past I will always be proud of. One that I will always cherish and revisit.

Sealed and Shipped

As my trip to the Philippines is fast approaching (in about a month), I decided to fill up one balikbayan box to send ahead. When I told my Filipino co-worker, she suggested about bringing the box myself as I am allowed two luggages (with weight restrictions) during my international flight. I told her that the first time I went home and did something like that (1 luggage and 1 box), I had the most horrible time. Aside from the fact that it was difficult to transfer the box by myself from the luggage carousel into a cart, I became an easy target for porters who saw my obvious predicament. I felt intimidated into hiring one of them and paid way over what was reasonable just because my situation screamed "clueless balikbayan". Never again . Since then, I traveled with only one sizable luggage and the rest I would have already sent via a shipping carrier ( I use Forex). It's just not worth the aggravation to me.

For those who might not be familiar to the Filipino cultural phenomenon as the "balikbayan box", let me quote the Wikipedia:

A Balikbayan Box is a box containing novelty items brought by or sent by a Filipino that is returning to the Philippines from a foreign country. Typically, these boxes contain non-perishable food items, time saving devices, computer parts, electronics, toys, designer clothing, and other hard to find items in the Philippines.

Balikbayan means 'Returnee' in english and is usually referred to people coming home to the Philippines from an extended stay in a foreign country.

A Balikbayan Box is sized specifically to conform to airline luggage restrictions. They can usually be purchased at most Filipino stores and are sometimes available with a cloth cover and side handles for portability.

All these years, I must have sent quite a number of balikbayan boxes. I didn't just send them when I was about to visit or during the holidays. I had sent a box or two for when a spring cleaning or closet reorganizing produced a lot of out-of-season clothes and shoes. Those usually went to my sisters. Frankly, I can't even remember most of them until my sisters would wear them and remind me . I have to admit, the clothes look better on them. Now that I've gained considerable weight, I had to give up a lot of my favorite outfits. I tried to hang on to them for a long time (4 years?), hoping that I'll be able to fit in them again. It's not happening soon enough and I have to make room in my closet for clothes of my current size and figure . Therefore, my sisters are in for some good ole "ukay-ukay" for the second time this year. I also included some chocolates, of course . They are just too heavy for me to carry in my luggage and will take up valuable space.

This time around, I plan on packing light and not to go way over the luggage weight limit for the domestic flight. Although it might cost about $20.00 or less to pay for the excess baggage, I consider it a personal challenge on myself . After all, I was able to do it during our European trip. I would enjoy my trip more if I am not slowed down by a gargantuan luggage during transportation transfers. As I am traveling alone this time, there's no Kenny to help me out. Well, let's see what happens. If only I can keep myself from shopping for more "pasalubongs".

Anyway, here are Sidney and Lara. They just want to send their love to the family as well.

Traveler's Pass

Over a month ago, I finally got my act together and dropped off my documents at the post office for the application for the US passport. As I posted before, I took my oath of allegiance to the US last May. Instead of my original plan to apply right away, I dilly-dallied since I didn't have any immediate plans in visiting anywhere outside of the US. Well, as soon as I seriously contemplated about visiting my family, Kenny reminded me about the need for the passport. It was a fairly easy process but I was told it will be available in about 8 weeks. I received it sooner than I expected though.

Yesterday, Kenny came home from work and woke me up, waving a priority mail envelope. "Guess what's inside this envelope", he asked. Still sleepy, I didn't have a single notion of what it can be. When I opened it, I was just so delighted to see my brand new blue passport. What a relief as well. I can finally go wherever I want that Americans can go without having to apply for a visa. Going to Europe will be a breeze next time. In a way, I kinda thought I probably should plan on finally seeing Prague soon. But then, I know that I'll be feeling homesick again and will wish to see my family. Also, the idea of enjoying an extended summer sounds pretty good to me. The beaches are beckoning to me and it would be nice to see a few of nature's creations in the Philippines. I'm so stoked that I almost want to start packing now .

Heading East

When my medical scare started a few months ago, I began having a serious bout of homesickness. I voiced out my longing to go and visit my family in the Philippines to Kenny and although it's not exactly the ideal time to go on vacation again this soon after our trip to Europe last April, he understood my need to be with my family. My mother was also practically begging me to come home and was very worried about my health. Although I think my health issues are pretty much resolved, I still feel like going through with my trip. On the other hand, I kinda feel bad for Kenny since he will be left behind with two puppies to take care of.

After much consideration and upon Kenny's encouragement, I booked my flight last week. The airfare cost seems fair enough at $860.00 via Asiana Airlines. I will be leaving towards the last week of October, right after our wedding anniversary. My family seems thrilled about it but I warned them that there won't be a lot of money spending on this trip. Yeah, right! Despite the perceived financial constraints, I found myself planning to go on sightseeing trips (around Cagayan de Oro and maybe Bohol, if time permits) and spending some "me" quality time at my favorite spa in Mandarin Oriental in Manila. I'd better sign up to work extra hours to finance this trip. Working overtime is not exactly my cup of tea but I just have to think about the pay off. A nice and sleep inducingThai massage sounds like heaven right now.

The European Travelogue

My husband and I went on a recent vacation to Paris and Italy. I'd like to share with you my travel blog which I'm still updating as I have to edit the photos as well. Here's the link :   http://rose_ck.bravejournal.com/ Hope to see you there.

Off We Go

It's just 10 minutes before we have to leave the house and pick up Luke. He'll come with us to the airport and will bring our car back with him. We are so excited. I'm hoping to be able to update my blog as soon as I get to the Phils but then I might be too busy having fun ;-) Adieu for now...

Final Countdown

It's just five days more before our trip. Kenny has asked his brother Luke to check on our house, water the lawn and pick up the mail while we're gone. We also offered for him to stay in the house if he wants. I'd feel a lot better leaving if I know that we're not coming back to an empty, ransacked house. Our neighborhood seems pretty safe but I'd still like for someone to be there.

We're just about done with shopping. I bought Kenny some new polo shirts and dress pants for those nice dinners we're planning to have at the resort or at some other restaurants.  I myself got some new stuff to replace the outdated clothes I sent home a month ago. Yeah, we're about close to going overboard on this trip ;-) The last time we went through this was on our honeymoon more than 2 years ago. We haven't been going for a lot of trips recently so this vacation is really a treat for both of us.

I still have to work for two more nights but I have to admit that my heart is not in it anymore. I feel like I've already mentally and emotionally gone on vacation. It's getting to be a drag to get ready and drive to work. More than usual anyway. Oh, well... just a few more days and the fun begins.

Flight Status

I just got off the phone with my sister Emily from the Phils and was informed that she was able to book our flight from Cagayan de Oro City to Cebu for the second leg of our vacation in less than 3 weeks from today. I am so psyched about it now that everything is already taken cared of like the hotel and resort accomodations and the airline tickets for transfers. We have been doing some shopping for presents and for new clothes for ourselves. It sure gave us an excuse to update our wardrobe for the summer. Most of my clothes had been sent to the Phils as they don't fit me anymore and they were so many last seasons ago ;-) I'm sure we're going to end up shopping for more stuff once we hit the malls but we're going to try our damnedest to restrain ourselves from emptying our pockets. My sister told me that my youngest sis Sande, nephews and nieces are very excited to see us but my guess is that they are more looking forward to hanging out with Kenny more than with me as I was just there more than a year ago. It is really nice to take this trip with Kenny under more pleasant circumstances. His previous and second trip to the Phils was for my Papa's funeral. It was a very dark, awful and sad day for the family. This time will be really a vacation and a family reunion. He is determined to make the most of it and have a great time getting to know the family more. I wonder what the kids look like now. These were the last photos I had of them last year...

           

Trip for Two or Four

I've been on the phone (overseas call) with a ticket sales rep for a domestic airline that we're looking at for our flight from Cagayan de Oro City to Cebu 3 weeks from now. It was a bit trying to obtain the necessary info and just sorta reaffirmed my opinion that customer service in the Phils still left a lot to be desired of. Although the rep was polite and helpful, he just wasn't knowledgeable enough to give specific details that should be readily available to customers. I'm beginning to think it might be better for my family to book the flight in our behalf so we're guaranteed tickets in a timely manner. Plus, there seems to be a tendency to hike the price up higher if the customers are not from the Phils (expats or balikbayans) or if they are "foreigner". This applies with hotel and transportation rates as well. (Sigh!!!)

We've been looking forward to this trip for more than 6 months now since we made the commitment with another couple (Tom and Mariah)    to vacation in the Phils for two weeks in June. We are going to spend the first week with our respective families and then meet up at a beach resort in Cebu for a week-long relaxation and self-indulgence. We're picturing hours spent at the spa and poolside lounging. I just hope that the weather or heat won't be too much to bear for the men. We are also looking forward to some sightseeing but will be equally content just being lazy bums for a few days before going back to the realities of life and jobs in the US of A. (Another sigh!!!)