As I checked on my friends’ pictures of their travels abroad on my friendster, facebook and multiply accounts, a pang of envy engulfed me. I have never traveled abroad, mainly for financial reasons. Ouch. It hurts but it’s true. It will take the five of us in the family thousands of dollars in just one travel.

I should have been happy with my life now. I have earned my Master’s degree, I have a good career (not best, but it is okay), a decent home, a growing family (just gave birth to my 3rd baby three months ago). But deep inside my heart is the longing to do what any person probably wishes to do: travel abroad. I want to travel with my family abroad.

I want us to personally see Disneyland in Hongkong, the Merlion in Singapore, the Petronas tower in Malaysia, Bali in Indonesia, the Great Wall of China, the exotic bonsais in Japan and perhaps the amazing Tibet, which is one of the favorite settings in the movies. Later, we would explore Egypt and its famous pyramids, Dubai’s popular malls, the Holy city in Israel. Of course we would not want to miss Europe: Italy and its cities, Paris of France (I really want to be kissed in front of the Eiffel tower), Germany and Greece. If there is still time, we could see New York, Washington D.C., Hollywood… Whew! It really feels good daydreaming about those places.

Not that I have not traveled anywhere. I have reached almost all the key cities in the Philippines, from North to South mainly because of my job. I have spent the night in the midst of the world-renowned rice terraces of Banaue, I tasted the famous longganisa and cassava cake in Vigan for a number of times. I have visited the fascinating Baguio city, spent some nights at Legenda International Hotel in Subic and at Hotel Stotsenberg in Clark Pampanga. I have been to the island of Palawan and explored the subterranean river. I went to Tagaytay City several times, I have personally seen the famous Mayon Volcano in Bicol, I have visited Bacolod, Cebu, Bohol, Zamboanga, Davao City — which is my favorite, and a lot more.

I regret that I have not brought along a camera to take pictures during those travels. Probably because I was thinking that the travels would only be for work and not for pleasure. I was not fond of taking pictures in my travels. So the pictures are only in my mind. I admit I had fun moments in my business trips, but unfortunately they were not documented. I should have documented those trips. Well I cannot undo what was already done. I promise myself that next time, I will not forget to bring a camera. Who knows? My next trip might be out of the country already.