My perfect travel companion

There was only once that I have traveled alone. Even then, it was not even considered being alone as I had friends picked me up from the airport, adopted me to the houses of their relatives (their sisters specifically [shout out to Achi Irene and Ate Jenny]) and showed me around the city.

That experience was so much fun. It was very spontaneous and liberating. I was in total control of the places I wanted to go. I loved it (I love power! Kidding). I had a list of places to go, activities to do and things to buy. I must say, in that trip, I was able to do them all (except for that one side-trip because my friend Ira got scared of riding the bus all the way there. I love her though and we’ll be back to do that) and more!

During this time, as well as all of the other vacations that I’ve had (so as long as it was more than an overnight), I was with a company of my favorite stuffed toy. Meet OINK, my micro-beaded, pig-shaped pillow.

Naturally, I cannot bring it when I’m exploring whichever city I’m in. I use it mostly during flights (because I’m almost always asleep) and when I am elsewhere and ready to call it a night.

The little thing may be a form of safety blanket for me. I easily miss home when I’m away, and when I have a thing from my house that stays with me wherever I am, it comforts me and reminds me that I’ll be coming back and that I’m not too far away.

What OINK is to me may be in a different form as yours. But I think it’s safe to say that there is always something from home that we bring wherever we go.

Side note: In that trip, there was only this one day that I was totally alone in a city full of strangers (because some person went back to Manila ahead of me! Haha). I just roamed around and tested myself if I could in fact go from one place to another by not mixing up the messed up trains in the city. I was proud of myself that day that I rewarded myself by buying Godiva’s triple chocolate drink that was oh so good ($5 per 12oz., but who’s counting? Haha).