It felt like the longest 7 months of working, planning and working some more non-stop.
There were days I cried, days I fell ill, days I felt, "I pushed myself way too far this time". There are days when I got cranky as hell for just being tired and hungry or got seriously depressed ... oh for the same reason!
But as the saying goes, never give up. So I didn't. I pushed myself and pushed myself and pushed myself even further. I believe our elasticity can be compared to a rubber band, the only difference is... if we rest a bit and plan a bit more when the tension starts to build up, we divert that tension to strengthen our core. Then like a kid, as if the tension didn't happen, we stretch our reality even more, bordering it into a dream and fantasy.
There were days I cried, days I fell ill, days I felt, "I pushed myself way too far this time". There are days when I got cranky as hell for just being tired and hungry or got seriously depressed ... oh for the same reason!
But as the saying goes, never give up. So I didn't. I pushed myself and pushed myself and pushed myself even further. I believe our elasticity can be compared to a rubber band, the only difference is... if we rest a bit and plan a bit more when the tension starts to build up, we divert that tension to strengthen our core. Then like a kid, as if the tension didn't happen, we stretch our reality even more, bordering it into a dream and fantasy.
The idea hatched in November, one fine (boring) and very eventful (NOT!) day. I thought of how our lives here in Dubai have been and what explorations have we done so far. Almost 15 years and we have not really ventured out. We haven't really seen much of what the world has to offer. The only reasons why we were able to see other countries were either because of work, because it's along the way to the Philippines or because of relatives.
Then I thought, where's the closest place to visit? Somewhere different, somewhere we are purposely visiting and touring for the sake of history, culture and adventure. Somewhere my kids will be just in awe because it's something they only see in movies. I thought of Europe. Very few places in Europe where it seems like time stood still... then the idea hatched... "what about Prague?".
And the birth of multiple travel bug bites happened. I got totally infected by it and 7 months from its inception, I don't think I'm close to getting cured.
By January this year, the first trip's ticket and accommodation were paid for. Every month, during pay day, I enjoyed seeing my personal account full to the brim, just like a full figured woman who has just eaten a feast. Her bosoms spilling over, her waist a bit wider, she looked a little heavy but a lot happy. Then like having a food disorder, the same account gets depleted massively and without mercy as I settle payments and secure bookings every 2nd day of each month to be exact.
Like a child, I enjoyed ticking the boxes and colouring cells as I settle scores. Seeing how my "to pay for" cell gets smaller and smaller and smaller. What joy!
And the birth of multiple travel bug bites happened. I got totally infected by it and 7 months from its inception, I don't think I'm close to getting cured.
By January this year, the first trip's ticket and accommodation were paid for. Every month, during pay day, I enjoyed seeing my personal account full to the brim, just like a full figured woman who has just eaten a feast. Her bosoms spilling over, her waist a bit wider, she looked a little heavy but a lot happy. Then like having a food disorder, the same account gets depleted massively and without mercy as I settle payments and secure bookings every 2nd day of each month to be exact.
Like a child, I enjoyed ticking the boxes and colouring cells as I settle scores. Seeing how my "to pay for" cell gets smaller and smaller and smaller. What joy!
I planned for two months, last two months of 2013 passed me by without me even noticing. I studied my monthly income from work and my part-time worksssss. How much is plausible per month, where can we splurge and where should we be a smart traveler? Formulating a full spreadsheet with rainbow colours, comparing each and every possible transportation and routing, for trains and airlines, comparing travel dates against each other, non stop. When I cannot compare anymore and my head hurts like it will break, I sleep on it and continue the following night after a long and toxic day in the office.
Two months, I look forward to each late night studying the best places to see, the free places to see, the food we can try, connecting flights, hotels versus houses, if it's a possible scenario, I would have considered it.
Seven months down the line from that fine (and boring) day, Prague trip became a trip to 9 different cities spanning across Europe and the Americas. Bidding adieu to work every other month takes convincing management with a magical potion. Researching and projecting possible public holidays takes some awesome instincts.
I am super proud to say that whatever happens next in these trips, they were laid out so beautifully by moi,,, It is all my hard work, missing out on weekends consecutively with the worst recorded history to be 3-weekend gig. Working for 26 days straight was not joy but it's a job that has to be done.
I am not delusional. Something is bound to get screwed up sooner or later. But traveling is an adventure so I can just easily blame it on that :P
Join us in our adventure as a family, wander with us as we explore places we have never ever seen before, eat dishes we have never tried before or sample authentic ones we didn't know existed.
Get to know our journey, tour companies who assisted us, restaurants we have tried, hotels we stayed at or houses we rented.
I am beyond excited! Four days to go and we will get to see Prague and its old world beauty.
Two months, I look forward to each late night studying the best places to see, the free places to see, the food we can try, connecting flights, hotels versus houses, if it's a possible scenario, I would have considered it.
Seven months down the line from that fine (and boring) day, Prague trip became a trip to 9 different cities spanning across Europe and the Americas. Bidding adieu to work every other month takes convincing management with a magical potion. Researching and projecting possible public holidays takes some awesome instincts.
I am super proud to say that whatever happens next in these trips, they were laid out so beautifully by moi,,, It is all my hard work, missing out on weekends consecutively with the worst recorded history to be 3-weekend gig. Working for 26 days straight was not joy but it's a job that has to be done.
I am not delusional. Something is bound to get screwed up sooner or later. But traveling is an adventure so I can just easily blame it on that :P
Join us in our adventure as a family, wander with us as we explore places we have never ever seen before, eat dishes we have never tried before or sample authentic ones we didn't know existed.
Get to know our journey, tour companies who assisted us, restaurants we have tried, hotels we stayed at or houses we rented.
I am beyond excited! Four days to go and we will get to see Prague and its old world beauty.