Last updated on February 17, 2023
There is so much preparation before I can grab a hand carry suitcase of 7 kilograms and fit my whole world in there. Then, fly to a place I have never been before. But, recently, my whole world shifted. I bought “LT”, short for lieutenant. A hybrid bicycle that I use daily to travel 30 kilometers to and fro my work place. The first month was gruesome. Now, the consistency paid off.
One of the pay offs is (1) PRACTICALITY. I don’t worry anymore of the 3 to 4 hours drive to work and the high fuel price.
Second is I found (2) JOY IN EXPLORING THE CITY I LIVE IN. The last weekend of 2022, we went to Malabon, to Dampalit bike trail. The trail is being paved and it’s almost done.
I wondered how this trail looked before the concrete road. At a glance, who would know that this wide and open space where karaoke noise from distant thatched houses can be heard, birds chirping and aiming for the next catch, where fishnets house the next many families income and small boats of fisherman are in the boundary of Metro Manila.
Third pay off, and probably the best thing that happened to me is (3) CLARITY OF MIND. I smile more often, I talk to people openly, I get to go and pause for a while to observe my surrounding, and I sleep better.
I realized that the beauty of exploration is not bounded by what I can fit in on my weekend off, not of how much extra money I have, and not even of how many kilograms I can bring and fit inside my luggage bag. I only need to have an open mind, the courage to get on and ride my bicycle, and enjoy what is available around me.
I, like many average Filipino, dream of going around the world, meet people, go on a food tour, witness amazing things, be in awe of nature and so many more wonderful things that truly makes us alive. But that dream will not wait for me, for you, and for us. So, let’s go out and make that dream possible.
