lifeisatrip's VirtualTourist Home Page

I travel to soak up the culture, meet people, savor exotic foods, and enjoy sights. But most of all, I travel, in a quest to find myself. My husband says I just have the "restless feet" syndrome. But don't you pay him any mind. (Update: He came upon a German word that he says describes my affliction-- wanderlust)

I grew up in the Philippines, and migrated to the United States of America in my mid-twenties. Although, I am very proud of my Philippine heritage, I can't somehow completely identify with it. Growing up, I always had the feeling that I did not belong there and so felt out of place for the most part. And this has me baffled to no end.

Is it possible that I was born in the wrong culture or country? Am I maybe from a different place in my first life? That is if we truly reincarnate after death. Was I a peasant? A warrior's wife? or . . . . . a leper on the side of the road (eooww!). I fancy this one: Maybe I was a royalty. I have the makings of one; just ask my husband. He sometimes refers to me as "your highness". :)

In the course of our travels, I found out I genuinely enjoy my interactions with people from different places, learning about and from them. People are not so different from each other. Our outside appearances may vary, but within, we're almost the same. We have the same needs, emotions, aspirations, struggles, etc.

Traveling makes life so much more interesting. What is life without setting foot outside your comfort zone? Boring with a capital B!

After having visited several countries, I still haven't come close to finding that place that will embrace me and vice versa. And so the quest continues . . . . . .

The baby in the picture is our beloved and precious granddaughter, Ava Jacquelyn, whom we lost to a tragic accident last year (2007). We miss her so much. It seems the pain never goes away. It's been almost two years since, but the memory still burns in our consciousness and our hearts like it was just yesterday.

She is now with the angels looking at us. God has better plans for her.

November 27th would have been her second birthday. We miss her a lot!

On 28 May 2009, I happened to be in Sofia, Bulgaria and had the opportunity to light a candle in remembrance of her in the largest cathedral in the country, the Alexander Nevski Cathedral.

Dr. Jose Rizal is the national hero of the Philippines. The pictured statue was erected in his honor in Wilhelmsfeld, Germany in Baden-Württemberg, a small village 11 km NE of Heidelberg. Dr. Rizal attended the University of Heidelberg (1886-1887) during which time met Pastor Ullmer and later went to live with him and his family in Wilhelmsfeld in order to learn more of the German culture and the language.

There is another statue of him in Madrid by, I believe, the same sculptor. (next photo).

Dr. Rizal traveled extensively in Europe. He attended classes at the universities of Paris, Madrid, Heidelberg, Leipzig, Berlin, & Vienna. He was a master of 22 languages. Besides Tagalog, Malayan and Spanish, his linguistic proficiency encompassed seven European languages, plus Greek, Chinese, Japanese, Sanskrit, Hebrew and Arabic. A versatile genius, he achieved recognition as a novelist, anthropologist, linguist, biologist, zoologist, sculptor, painter, jounalist, illustrator and physician.

He became a hero to the Filipino people through his fearless exposure of the injustices of the civil and clerical officials mainly through his writings, especifically his novels "Noli me Tangere" & "El Filibusterismo", provoking the animosity of those in power (Spaniards). He sought social and political reforms through peaceful means, however, the authorities accused him of plotting and leading the armed revolt. After a mock trial, with "bought" witnesses, he was convicted of rebellion, sedition and of forming illegal association. In the morning of December 30, 1896, Dr. Rizal, 35 years old, was executed at Bagumbayan Field, now known as Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines. This was a man, who proved he could equal or surpassed the capacity/ability of those in power (Spaniards). The Philippines haven't had an individual of Dr. Jose Rizal's genius. What a waste of talent.

When we visited his monument in Madrid, I couldn't help but get emotional. There it was, in Spain (sort of our motherland), a statue honoring him. It's hypocritical; the Spaniards were the ones who had him executed!

Update: 20 June 2009, Wilhemsfeld, Germany

Mike and I attended Dr. Jose Rizal Fest sponsored by the Order of Knights of Rizal and the Ladies of Rizal, Wilhemsfeld-Heidelberg Chapter. There were speeches (of course), wreath-laying ceremony, followed by a program of knighting of a new member, cultural dances, and a one person-act of the significant women in Dr. Jose Rizal's first novel, "Noli Me Tangere". As with all Filipino gatherings/celebrations, there is eating. Yum-yum. Ethnic Philippine foods were offered. (Photos of the fest in my Personal Albums titled Dr. Jose Rizal 2009 Fest).

Pages I have started:
Poland (Krakow)
Ireland (Dublin, Cork, Killarney)
Czech Republic (Prague)
New Zealand
Netherland (Amsterdam)
France (Paris, Mont St. Michel, St. Lo, Periers, Lessay, Countances)
Spain (Marbella, Ronda, Granada, Madrid)
Hungary (Budapest)
Germany (Heidelberg, Wurzburg, Koblenz, etc.)
Russia (Sankt Petersburg)
Italy (Como, Milan)
Switzerland (Basel)

I have been updating my site regularly. I post more pictures of each travel location in the Travelogue (bottom of each travel page).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For those of you who would like to read about Borneo adventures, check out

"With Pythons & Head-Hunters in Borneo: The Quest for Mount Tiban" by Brian Row McNamee

Winner of National Best Books 2008 Award under the category Travel: Cultural
http://www.usabooknews.com/bestbooksawards2008.html
To order:
https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=44602

About the author:
www.xlibris.com/BrianRowMcNamee.html

Brian is a friend of ours, a very adventurous man who's living his dreams; never a dull moment in his life.

The book talks about his adventures from his two expeditions to Borneo.

Review on the book:
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/1436324203/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_img?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

I am a 'dog' person. There were only a few years in my whole lifetime when I did not have a dog and that was when I lived in a dormitory, then later when we lived in a small apartment.

I found that my dog is the only friend I have when we move to a new place, and move we do a lot. She's the equivalent of a cheap psychiatrist. My dog had saved my sanity many a times. I talked to it a lot, especially when the kids were in school and my hubby at work. And even after I start meeting new friends, my dog remains my best friend. And now that our kids are out of the house, my dog fills that void in my life, as well.

Kiyoko came into our lives in June of 2005 when she was only eight weeks old. She was an itty bitty puppy, whom I found in a young woman's arms in a pet shop. I went there to buy a Shi tzu that I had seen the week before, but it was already sold when I got there. I was dead set on going home with a puppy. And there she was, the one for me! I couldn't get my eyes off of her. She had a very dark face, but very cute and she has big beautiful eyes. The young lady noticed how I was staring at it and asked if I wanted to hold it. Once I took it in my hands, I did not let go. It was love at first sight.

After she and I got home, I went to fill her water bowl in the kitchen sink. She followed me and stopped close to my feet, looked up and made a sound telling me something. I couldn't forget that incident- this tiny puppy looking up at me. I didn't know what she was trying to say, but I picked her up and put her against my chest, soothing her and talking to her at the same time. She could possibly be saying, "Thank you for rescuing me from the hullabaloo of the petshop". Ever since, she has been communicating to us in her own way, a different whine for different whims. She is a very special dog, and very smart; she had us trained to do her bidding. :) My husband and I just love indulging her. She is so awesome!

We still had Mr. Max, our 14-year old Golden Retriever, when she joined our family. And the strangest thing happened. Kiyoko adopted Mr. Max as her mom! Mr. Max had a skin overgrowth below his neck (wart-like), and Kiyoko sucked on it like she was nursing. Mr. Max welcomed her like his own and most times they snuggled up together. Sometimes Kiyoko became too much for the aging Mr. Max and he would let her know. We since lost him; a sad memory for us. Kiyoko seemed lost and did not eat for almost a week.

Kiyoko has since turned a lighter color. She had her third birthday on 08 April 2008. She's a puppy no more, but cute regardless!

My husband and a group of American cyclists from Heidelberg and Kaiserslautern, Germany, and Belgium participated in the 2008 Liberty Trail Bicycle Ride in Normandy to commemorate D Day. It was a 3-day event starting and ending in Periers, traversing several towns and covering a total of 362 kilometers. To experience the many celebrations in the area was a very moving experience, even for me as a non-rider. My perception of the French people changed dramatically. They, in that region, were very receptive and warm towards Americans. They welcomed us with open arms with their small town hospitality.

For the three days, 6-8 June, many towns across the area had celebrations. American flags were flown all over the place, and in private homes as well. There were parades showcasing old American military vehicles, wreath-laying ceremonies, and many locals in their WWII period costumes came out to join in the revelry. Music of the period played in the background, giving one a feeling of being in that point in time when victory was declared. I could feel their gratitude towards the Americans, who on that day came to save them from the ruthless German rule.

In Cauquigny, there was a re-enactment of the paratrooper drops right on the field where it actually happened. An American vet, one of the few surviving original paratroopers, goes back to the town every year for the ceremony. I had the honor of meeting him.

We would go back again, given the opportunity. Unfortunately, 2008 may sadly be the last Liberty Trail Bicycle Tour in Periers.

We had the opportunity to see Omaha Beach and the monuments of WWII.