When Travel Becomes "Unfair" To Others

With the Muslim women in Cotabato City

There's only one fear that almost stopped me from pursuing travel blogging years ago, that I may run out of what to write about. You see I am not this seasoned traveler who can go on a trip anytime and anywhere I want. Without travel stories to share, how can someone be called a travel blogger? I worry if one day I am no longer produce blog posts just because of my limitations regarding road trips, plane rides and train hopping, this blog is going to die. But I know that deep inside, this is what my heart desires and this is what makes me happy. For someone who is just a dot in the blogosphere, it is important to have a branding like having an identity which I chose to be a travel blogger instead of being an ordinary owner of a lifestyle blog who just writes about anything under the sun.  Though I admit my blog is 30% lifestyle as like I said I just can't travel at an eye blink's notice so I need to supply more content to my blog too.

I was browsing some articles to read a few days ago and this one caught my eye big time, that I freezed for a while  before, during and after reading this.  Captioned as "After leaving his 9-5 job, this 31-year-old built a company that's earned $1 million while he travels the world", how will I not read this when in fact this is one of my dreams to be a digital nomad? This is the growing population of millenial people who works and travels at the same time. Now for this to become feasible, the job should be online usually so you only need a laptop and internet connection to make money. Of course you don't need a physical office  so with this kind of lifestyle is very much possible to work anywhere so that gives you more reasons to travel. 

I posted it on my Facebook wall to inspire me and others though this seems to be and my dream of being a digital nomad is as far as the horizon. He IS just my age and started blogging + travelling years in the same as mine. I would say we have the same passion to be an online entrepreneur and crazy about travelling. We share a lot in common but life seems to be unfair.  

One friend commented and lamented exactly the same thoughts I have inside. I was only waiting for someone to affirm it. In reality for a typical Filipino traveler and blogger, this is way, way impossible. Most of grown-up Filipinos are usually tied with a familial obligation, would have to acquire a day job to be financially stable and when it comes to wider visa entries around the world, we have a very weak passport in hand.  

This made me jump to a conclusion that life indeed is unfair when it comes to travelling. That in every success story like this, there are another thousands of hopefuls who share the same dream but just can't because of restrictions imposed by the society we did not have a choice to select when we were born.

These persons who are usually featured in this kinds of news are usually North Americans and/or Europeans who came from first world countries. They were  born in an environment where the technology is advanced, practices independence and the opportunity to travel are endless. While Filipinos like me, this remains a dream that I wish and pray to happen. Anyway the dream of mine, is not stopping  at least for now :) After all, dreaming is free right? 

Having said this, here are the rounds of travel-related things that keep me perked up:

1. Travel Bloggers Exchange in Thailand this October
I am literally drolling over this because this is a worldwide gathering of travel bloggers. I know as someone who is crazy about meetups I know this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I will be beyond stoked to know fellow travelers who have conquered the world alerady. Just that this remains to be a wish, I would need at least Php30k or $600+ for my trip there that includes flight, accommodation and allowance.  I have started scouting for the cheapest flight but still have not found one plus there is a $150+ registration fee. Let's see what's gonna happen next. 

2. Flight confirmed for my (5th travel assignment as a mystery traveler)  Tuguegarao trip. Will only spend a day and a night there on July 25-26. I have a crazy work schedule in my full time job so I am only spending this over a one day off.

3. When I'm not blogging, I am still online and ... joining travel  contests :)  Do you know that I have stayed to a luxurious 5 star hotel in my recent birthday that costs way too much  and had a half day spa gift from a top spa in Asia? Wish me luck as I join more.

My room in Shangrila, costs $400+ per night here

That's it for now. And oh by the way keeping a travel blog gives me so many restless days and short sleep nights... I am always in front of the computer or my mobile phone.  I would say the past years, I have spent more in front of the computer than physically talking to a live person. This is what I am working on... As I know I am not getting any younger anymore and had to attend to my overall health as well. I am while dreaming to travel the world also wishes a balanced life.