Hozier - Take Me To Church

Hozier - Sedated

Soliloquy [Hotel Room Rants]

If only I got one interesting story to tell. Something that can make you stick around for another sec. Something that could make you realize that I am of worth to hear out. But I have nothing but rants about the maladies life offered. Could I even be more thankful?

Hotel rooms have been my sanctuary these days. The solitude it inflicts, the ‘me’ moment it brings. Hearing my own breathing is but lovely. Green Day is telling me, ‘One 21 gun lay down your arms give up the fight’, on the other side. I do not know what he is trying to convey. Music hardly penetrates the core of my being lately.

There’s beer on the fridge but I do not know how in the world will I get it open. Lots of peanuts on my side but it’s starting to dawn into me why in the hell do I have a dozen of this rounded sweet nuts when I do not eat such. Isn’t it a sarcastic humour to either have things you still have to reckon the purpose or to have things you have but you hate? But such is life they say. If not irony, surprises. And I am bored so I rant about such.

And here goes that rectangular robot screaming like hell for me to pick up. Really, I have nothing against phones. The very invention of it took communication to a very different level. Communication has never been this easy, handy, convenient, and all the adjectives that connotes it. But it also is the very reason why people over communicate and get misunderstood.

20:09 11/24/14 

24-Hour Life in Dalaguete, Cebu City

Considered as the Vegetable Basket of Cebu, Dalaguete fervently treats inhabitants and tourists alike with

Ocean Bay Resort and Hotel, Dalaguete, Cebu

the splendour of its sparkling blue waters and majestic uphill vista. The old edifices, the laidback life, the sound of crickets at night… These are worth coming and coming back for.

I just boarded the plane with no certain destination in mind. I should have utilized the more than an hour flight reckoning where to head but I just slept. Dalaguete was just one of the places that came to mind when the steel bird landed to Mactan Airport hence, I headed South.

Transportation:            

Cab from Mactan Airport - South Bus Terminal (more or less P200)

Ceres Bus with Moalboal at the sign board or ask the driver which bus passes through Dalaguete (P95)

                                   

Dating with book, shore, and sunset.

I got off at Ocean Bay Resort. This is haven for both domestic and international tourists for their affordable accommodation, foreign owned restaurant fronting the pristine sea, and scuba diving.  Room rates start at P1, 000 - P3, 000. The 3-hour ride standing in a non-air-conditioned bus was insanely exhausting and starving so indulged with a plush Filipino breakfast or I would say brunch while reading Water for Elephants (book of the day) as the humid breeze drenched me with sweat which I washed with iced cold orange juice.

My tummy was happy but my back was not. My bloodshot eyes needed a rest before frolicking Dalaguete. Intuition said I wasn’t up staying at Ocean Bay so I walked around and ended up at BB’s hideaway. It wasn’t much of a luxurious treat but you'll have access to a pool and an air-conditioned nipa hut for a night at P700. Aside from having a refrigerator where you could store booze (yes, I’m a drunkard), the best bargain I got for my stay was walking down the highway  once in a while  and exchanged ‘Bie’ (‘Good evening’) with the community people amidst the dogs barking and crickets chirping signaling the night is getting deeper. Such a love!

Seashells, Shore and Sun

Late in the afternoon, I decided to catch a glimpse of the beautiful sunset while relishing the saltwater.

Mother and child on the shore checking out litub for dinner.

My very intention was just to read somewhere at the shore but I saw a bunch of locals collecting litub, a seashell, so I asked one of them to teach me how to spot one. My back numbed after an hour or two of wading the shallow water for good finds and so I halted to sit, read and just savour the picturesque of the blue sea bathe in sunset’s hue. I was alone on the shore so I shamelessly practiced my vocals singing out loud with Alterbridge, Paramore, Halestorm, Jake bugg, and Cold Play until the last piece of pale orange light.

Laid Back Dinner at Food Lane

I vowed not to dine at fancy restaurants because 1) I am on a budget travel and have to be frugal with my expenses; and 2) I need to be out of my comfort zone and see what is beyond the well-listed menus, cocktails, and sophisticated ambience. Tatay (as I called the caretaker of the inn) told me to go to Food Lane for good food at affordable prices. Going there was such a treat because you’ll passed by the Municipal Office of Dalaguete which very Spanish. It has a plaza before it where teenagers fancy hanging around. Food Lane is situated in front of an old church (indeed, Cebu is full of vintage architecture) and is an eatery chain. You’ll have the karaoke competing with the sea waves ruffling as background. Both residents and tourists obviously love to dine here. It is under development and will surely turn to a boulevard in few years time.

Peeking Osmeña Peak

Call time is 5:30 am but the driver I agreed to bring me at the peak fetched me at 5:00 to ensure I’d be

Osmeña Peak, Dalaguete Cebu.

able to watch the sunrise. I was a bit pissed (because I hate waking before the sun) but I realized it worked for my favour. It was really a freezing climb (that justifies to be called Little Baguio) for it made me realized how incompetent my jacket was. Waaah, I missed my shawl.

Osmeña Peak I guess is the chilliest climb I’ve ever had. As per trekking. Hehe. You’ll just have to walk your way up for 10-20 minutes. Cabbages are abundant here. Residents farm them with spring onions, chili, sayote, and other leafy vegetables.

Since cabbage is a staple here, I asked Lyka, my 13 year-old guide, how they usually cook it.

Ingredients:     Chopped Cabbage, Garlic, Onion, Salt, Oil, Water (Optional: other vegetables and meat )

How To:          Sauté onion, garlic in oil. Put the cabbage. Season with salt, add water and simmer for few minutes.

That simple!  I failed to ask what the dish called but one thing is for sure. It is healthy!

Transport: Hire single motor P250 (advisable to have company to avoid paying double)

Guide: P50 will do  but if you have extra cash, a bonus will be much appreciated of course!

Life Lessons at Obong Spring

Clockwise: Tatay Sally showing me the sahid method of catching fish.
Freshly caught tuyom, Ah! That spiky bad boys!
Two generous men teaching me how to get the meat and eating them for free!
With my newly found gulp sessions pals.

There is no other chilling way to end up my stay in Dalaguete but get drenched at Obong Spring. Yet more than splashing at the freezing water was having the opportunity to learn a fishing method called sahid (where you are to trap small fishes in a net by fencing the net around the rocks where they hide). I’ve watched Tatay Sally do it a couple of times with so much expertise. It’s quite a tedious thing to do because at the end of every trap are just a number of kicking small fishes. The half bag of those fishes was just sold for 50 pesos and I could not imagine how long he did get them.

Realization: I should not waste any single dime. Money is hard-earned. No matter how I tried, I fall victim of unnecessary spending. Now every time, I find myself lavishing, I would think of that 50-buck fish and the hardship it takes to get it.

Life in the sea is pretty much interesting. After the fishing lesson, I met these guys hanging around cleaning tuyom (spiky black sea urchin). I wish I was able to join catching these beautiful, thorny bad yet sumptuous creatures but I was a bit late. The cleaning lesson was more than enough though. It’s quite a feat for me to get the meat, dip it in a spiced vinegar and (uggh,my mouth waters) savour! You could taste the sea, the fat, the … gush I cannot explain it.

Lesson:            That tuyom has one devilish turquoise eye at the center. Darn! They are amazing. Sure thing I’ll learn them from books but discovering them first hand is a totally different thing. Unforgettable!

Residents here are very much willing to farm fish and other sea foods but dishearten by the fact of having no sure buyer for their goods. Should they have one, I guess, they need not have to leave their families to earn a living.

The view, the people, the culture… These are worth coming and coming back for.


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Flat Talk

Challenging Gravity by Ross Jaylo.
Philippine Contemporary Art Fair 2014. Makati City.

Come to think of it, how are you lately? I invite you to sit, grab a cup of coffee if you want and let’s have a chat. Also, there’s few cookies left in the jar, get if you fancy and suit yourself on my lonely tattered couch.

Yes, I know. You do not reckon what you are doing here but maybe you are bothered with life’s generalities that you keep on walking, looking for answers, ending up in my flat. You do not need to go away, run away and be far away to have the answers. No, I do not have them either. It is within you.

Relationships, family, careers—these are what boggle you, right? C’mon! You do not need to nod. Just be comfortable there. Sleep if you need to. That won’t make a difference with me ranting.

So how’s you and Joey? Still afraid to tell your mom about you two? Yes, of course, I perfectly understand it is hard to fail society’s expectation. You won’t believe me but it is freeing, sweet pea! You do not owe them any explanation of your choices.  No, do not stare at me like that. I know what I am talking about. Are you happy? Yes? So what is bothering you? The thing is, the ticket to life’s journey does not depend on the mode of transportation but your mood during the transport so choose well.

Now do not get me wrong but I know you aren't here to hear my rants. Oh, I should have been a good host, offering you beer or empathetic hugs while saying, ‘It’s okay’. ‘Everything is gonna be fine…’ But no, I won’t utter those. Because you need to hear what you ought to hear. No sugar coating. No whitewashing. What for are you here?

Now eat this soup while steaming hot. Misery is better faced full. And this time I cannot offer any better but this. At the end of the day, you will be the one making the decision. Stand up. Eat.

Are you sleepy? Hang on a sec, I’ll just get you a blanket. This time of the year is quite cold. Oh, sweet pea, you need not apologize for being here. We all have our down times and one explodes with no one to implode. Here take this and sleep well through the night. A good night sleep makes a difference. 

Imagine Dragons - Radioactive

Jake Bugg - Someone Told Me (Acoustic)

The Best of Mozart

Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin

The Best Of Bob Dylan Full Album

Must Check in Dipolog and Dapitan, Zamboanga Del Norte

Bored waiting for my flight back to Manila so might as well use it storytelling…

Once upon a time… Geez lame! Crap that because I’m still pretty nostalgic on my quickie with Dipolog City. Stayed here for 3 days now and yet there is too little time for leisure. Well after all, I came here for business.

As a budget solo backpacker, I find this place really, really interesting and worth coming back for more. It’s laid back yet teeming with life powered by nature, people, and culture.

Hotels

Dipolog and its nearby city, Dapitan (just 15 mins away) has a lot of budget hotels, inns, and suites to entertain travelers of all sorts.

Mibang Hotel is on my checklist for its pool and food. It is just 12-minute ride from the airport and less half an hour from the port.  It is also affordable.

D’Hotel with their ‘We make people happy’ battlecry really live up to it. In fact D’Hotel is awarded as the No. 1 Hotel in Dipolog City by Trip Advisor for its excellence. Great ambience, service, and food maybe were their tickets in winning the traveler’s heart.

Royal Farm Resort, Gulayon Dipolog City

Royal Farm is a good option if you are up for budget rooms with free swimming pools.  Room rates start at 700-3000 pesos. This is surely a love for kids because they have a clean, wide kiddie pool. Food here is very affordable too though you have to be patient waiting for it as it takes a million years to be served.  

Food & Recreation

If are you are craving for pizza and want to lavish a bit, diss out the usual pizza chains and try UrChoice Bistro Café Restaurant.  They have the best pepperoni pizza that goes best with wine. Ahhh, I can’t resist the cheese sending heaven to my mouth. Don’t miss their buffalo wings and steak boasting imported herbs and spices as well. The owner, a foreigner, is very accommodating and attends to customer first hand. Thanks for bringing Italy in Dapitan man!

Dipolog City Boulevard

Sound Central KTV Lounge, Dipolog City

Now if your appetite demands for street foods, I guess there no other place to go but the Boulevard. The place for loners and lovers and joggers, and eaters (haha), and anyone. Here you can find balut, isaw, betamax, etc, that you can devour while watching the dancing light from homes across the shore. Cafés also abound here. Best of two worlds I would say. Because a few meters away from the mouthwatering grills are coffee shops and restaurants. It’s very cool to jog here to fill your lungs with fresh sea air. And if you are lucky, you can join Zumba sessions to burn the calories of the sumptuous meal you had.

For groups on a budget who want a room for themselves to rip their vocal chords and drink like hell, I would suggest Sound Central KTV Lounge. At 450php in two hours you can have a big place to rock on and get wasted. It is just very close to the Boulevard. Okay here’s what you really want to know. They have thousands to choose from on the songbook (though not really all of the song I fancy is there) and screaming sound system. 

Oopsie! I hope to end here but the most awaited announcement on airports has just been said: “Guest of____ we regret to inform that your flight has been delayed….”

What the!

Others

Best to Enjoy by Day

Fifteen minutes away from Diplog is Dapitan where the Phil National Hero was exiled. Oh! history rant detected. Anyway, for a day visit, a historical tour to Rizal Heritage Site must be on the checklist just like any History classes. Hehe.. It is just cool to catch a glimpse of the past in a confused present…

If Bohol has their river cruise, Dapitan has cruise boating too. Allowing guests to enjoy not only foods that wakes hypertension but the pristine water and breathtaking splendor of the island while the fresh breeze brushed your face.

For island hoppers, skip not Buay Island trips. You will surely be amazed of the corals and the sea life in general. Go snorkeling! Go diving!

Night or day Dakak Beach Resort has made it to tourister’s list since a long time ago.

Best at Night

Gloria de Dapitan is not a strange place in Dapitan. It’s actually one of its main attractions. Fun and spooky rides at Fantasy Land is a love by children and children at heart alike. If you are into art and enjoys theatre presentations Gloria de Dapitan has it as well.

Finally, if you are a coffeeholic like me, then you might also fancy visiting the hub for Italy’s best Coffee, Lavazza!


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Broken - Jake Bugg

Down - Jason Walker

Echo - Jason Walker

You Only Live Once - The Strokes

Two Fingers - Jake Bugg

Lone Climb Turned Out Trio at Mt. Maculot Batangas

Feeling queen of my own empire at Mt. Maculot, Cuenca Batangas.

Excitement is an understatement when an officemate mentioned about Mt. Maculot. It is barely an hour and a half from Pasay and can be clambered at a minimum time. Just perfect for a quick lone getaway.  I cannot wait! No itinerary. Just me, myself, and I dating nature. But like any other story, there was a wicked witch—my darling, darling sister. She found out I would be mounting alone and just taken back her words of allowing me to do such thing. Darn! Why in the first place did I mention I’ll go alone. I mean, what is the big deal? I’m an independent woman (chos!) and I can handle myself. Many people do the same. But I do not want my family to worry so I did find two on the go buddies. By the way, lesson learned. Never mention where to go and who’s with you to avoid 'gala' plan disrupted. 

The Experience

Dismayed that my first plan did not materialize, I thought I'll journey up totally flabbergasted. Thanks to Ipay and Ryan being the 11th-hour amazing travel buddies it turned out otherwise. Mt. Maculot is just a chill climb and even chiller if you have 'not maarte' and 'go lang' company. The ascend is lung-friendly which I enjoyed given I have a weak one. Thirst is surely quenched with iced cold buko juice at every station and if you are lucky enough hitch a shot of Emperador with the locals.

How to get to Mt. Maculot?

Jam Liner (Buendia) bound to Lemery and get-off at Cuenca (P149)

Ride a motorcycle to the registration area that will also get you to the jump-off

Motorcycle Fare P20     

Registration 20

Note: Bring ID

There are guides on queue at the registration area so worry not if it is your first time to go up. Minimum fee is 300-400 pesos.

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Watch Over You - Alter Bridge

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If I am to Write a Song

If I am to write a song

I’ll pen it nice and long

Until you get tired of hearing my affection

Until you get sick of je t’aime in each line

If I am to write a song

I’ll accompany it with a gong

So you’ll get on your feet

So I’ll get to dance with you

If I am to write a song

I’ll do it full of wrong

To awake the grammar police in you

To have your complete attention

But I no longer write songs…

35th Manila International Book Fair

Manila International Book Fair ignites passion. Books.

Books, books, and many books. Mental indigestion is all I can anticipate as I stepped at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. The Manila International Book Fair is now on its 35th year to pioneer in bringing book enthusiasts altogether. Housing the largest collection of literature for academic and leisure alike, the said affair never missed to make it on a bibliophile’s to do list  every        September.

The Book Museum at the MIB.

Thrilled to see a chord book for The Book Thief's piano solo then I saw Bieber.
Darn! Why do these two should be that close.

Breeding a generation of readers. I really hope so.

Just because I am a music fanatic.

As a full blooded Mindanaon and MSUAn this book about Rido just intrigued me a lot.

No, I did not take it. But the the title just made me lol.

The sight of books calms me down. It's like ice cream on summer. Music in silence. Now I am getting melodramatic here. But hey, a 20-peso entrance for an affair plus the million possibilities of having good books at bargain is not a thing to pass.

Food Hubs to Check Out at Iloilo

My obsession to twiggy models is about to end! They are simply irresistible—I mean the calories. I am no foodie but when I travel the craving button just automatically turns on. Who could mere watch an authentic iced chocolate perspiring coldly in front of you as if waiting to be licked? Wait what!

Fix Gastronomic Issue at Floyd’s BBQ House

Starving and looking for a wallet-friendly place to entertain your gastronomic lasciviousness? Then Floyd’s Famous BBQ should be in your food hub checklist. Located in front of SM Delgado-Iloilo, this humble resto fancies to treat you with barbecued beef, chicken, fish, and pork. At less than P150 you could have the thirst quenching four seasons beverage, Java rice and barbecued bangus with atsara. They are affordable and offer beer buckets so you will see a lot of parokyanos here. Just be careful not to over drink or over eat. Vomit fee is P200. Much costly than your meal J

Coffee Break for a Break

Book. Coffee. Chocolate. Break!

Easy, that’s because as of this writing (aside from being bored), I have gulped one iced cold coffee and devoured two beehive chocolate from Coffee Break. Damn, I just can’t help it. I never missed this when I am in Iloilo. I have this soft spot on cafes. And I could say that over and over again. Coffee Break is a favorite here for aside the warm crew, the goodies are so affordable and darn sumptuous. Don’t get me wrong. I am not paid a single dime to preach the good news about them. I am just a choco-coffee junkie who likes to rant what salivates me. So when you visit Iloilo, don’t cha go home without even a bite of the sweet tooth provoking devils.

Soup Treat at Ted’s La Paz Batchoy

So I was really damn curious why Lucky Me Supreme have to adapt that La Paz Batchoy of Iloilo that I decided to taste the authentic one myself. And where else is their main food hub located but at La Paz.  I am not a noodle fan but might as well try to tell the tale. Turned out it really is tasty. I ate everything except the noodles J

Revisiting the Tracks I Go Gaga Then and Even Now

Your Quick Guide to Mindanao State University-Marawi

MSU Golf Course fronting Lake Lanao and the mysterious Sleeping Lady.

MSU had been my home for four years and I can’t simply get over it. The breathtaking scenery, the varying culture, the freezing December nights—nostalgia is an understatement. So when I had a business affair to CDO, I sneaked out for a quick trip to the so called Melting Pot of the South.

It is only barely two years since I stepped out from the campus’ premise and yet I already encountered a problem of where to pass the night. I surely have few acquaintances left but I decided to not inform them anyway. It’s difficult and I ponder it is even harder for first timers. So here goes my quick tour to you.

Transportation

From Iligan City Camague Terminal, ride a jeepney going to MSU. Fare is only P50. It will take you inside the campus. The last stop will be at the Commercial Center (ComCent). If you are not sure where to get off, this is the safest way to do so and from there ride a tricycle (P10 minimum) going to your specific destination.

Where to Stay

This has been my ultimate problem when I got there. Unlike metro areas where bars and inns are ubiquitous to accommodate you, MSU has none or if not have very few of it. The place is already quiet at around 8pm. If you know someone where you could stay with then better. But if none, you may consider passing the night at Yuri’s Inn. It is located at the Commercial Center just above Land Bank. It offers room accommodation from P300-P500/night with Wi-Fi, bathroom and air-condition. Just don’t expect a lot. Rooms are poorly designed but fair enough than passing the night on the streets. Nyay!

If you have extra bucks, you might want to stay at Marawi Resort Hotel. It is just a leap away from the Commercial Center and offers better accommodation.

Torogans at the Marawi Resort Hotel.

Where to Eat

When it comes to food, MSU has a lot to offer that will surely fit your budget. The best for me is still Jeco (located at the Commercial Center). Aside from their spicy fried chicken and onion beef that are way better than the others, you will also be treated with an array of abstract paintings.

The Dining Room is a quick option as well if Jeco is full (as always). For shake and café-like ambience, go to Rhatsuos Capade (if I spelled it right).

For more affordable food, you might try Mishka’s fried chicken. At less than P50, you could devour newly fried chicken wings that is perfect with palapa (a native Meranao condiment) served with yellow rice. Along the ComCent is Triple J where you could lavish to vegetables, meat, fish, and many others at a price that won’t torn your wallet.

And dare I forget not, the Fifth Street is the epitome of food in MSU.

Yours truly having a good time at the MSU Grandstand.

What to Visit

Aga Khan Museum

The Golf Course

MSU Botanical Garden

MSU Grandstand

Marawi Resort Hotel

Nearby Mosques

Quick Notes

Speak Filipino to be surely understood (Not always necessary though).

Wear wardrobes with sleeves and as much as possible refrain from short shorts (especially to girls when strolling)

Just be open-minded. MSU is not chaotic as it seems. 

Photos from

http://www.mytravel-asia.com/pois/101503-Msu-Golf-Course

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eazy360/7362286306/

How to Spend Leisure Hours Productively

There is no question that we get effing busy once in a while but for sure, upon tidying up one’s schedule, there is always space for leisure. As unique as people are, there are a lot of options to choose from on where we are to put our remaining time and energy either for mere pleasure or personal growth. For the past few months, here are the few things I've involved with to remedy boredom and break life’s monotony.

May and June readings.

Reading books (always). When I was a student, I vowed to graduate on time so I could work and have additional hours for my reading. However, the reverse happened. I have less time for reading because I have paper works to finish and places to travel in relation to my job. Unlike when I was still a student waiting for allowance to be wired and could skip class in exchange of a gripping book, now I am earning my own dough and cannot merely say I got to pass work for a good book. I see to it though that I am able to finish 2-3 books a month to feed my brain cells.

The alphabet.

Taking a language class. It has always been my dream to learn a foreign tongue. It is also one way of meeting new people.  There are various institutions offering foreign language lessons in Metro Manila like  Alliance Française de Manille , The Bridge, and International Language Academy Manila. There are also universities that offer foreign language classes one of which is University of Philippines-Diliman. Their Department of European Languages offers extramural language courses. Other department also offers classes in Asian languages. As I have nothing much to do on Saturdays, I decided to take a three-hour session of French. 

Toastmasters busy evaluating speeches.

Attending Toastmasters. If you want to improve your leadership and public speaking skills the fun way, then I guess, you should try visiting Toastmasters meetings. There is certainly a toastmasters club in your area where you can club hop! Here you will meet seasoned speakers who are willing to mentor and give encouraging comments on how you could improve to be a better speaker. Members came from different backgrounds and fields of expertise.

My Top 10 Travel Essentials

Travelling light and easy.

A hand-carry bag, a backpack, and a pouch—you could see me balancing all the baggage whenever I travel even just overnight. I have this disease of bringing my entire wardrobe for a two-day affair or drag a stroller if it takes three days or a week. Traveling light is an art and for me it took time to learn. Now, whenever I pack, I ask the basic question, “Do I really need this?” For a week of travel, I am now proud to say I can survive with putting all my stuff in a middle sized backpack. Here are my top 10 travel essentials.

1.    Backpack. A comfortable and durable one with a laptop compartment. My Swiss backpack has served me well for years. I choose one with a laptop compartment as it is convenient and safe for me. It spares me the hassle of hanging my laptop bag separately.

2.   Flexible pair of shoes. I choose a pair of leather booties when I travel for trainings and any others. It is always ready to go and can carry different looks. Pair it with a long sleeve and jeans and you’ll have a semi formal look. Pair it with shorts and  sleeveless and you are ready to go for an afternoon stroll.

3.   Wardrobe essentials.  Clothes made from light materials like cotton are preferable as they are fold-able to the minimum size without the dire need for pressing. Jeans, jogging pants, shorts, t-shirt, a dress, one nighties, and lots of undies.

4.   Toiletries.  In a mini handbag, I see to it that all of my basic stuff like toothbrush, toothpaste, bath soap, shampoo, mouthwash, lotions, etc., are all in. I keep a mini size of all those to save space.

5.   Water. This has not been on top of my list until lately. Unexpected things might happen along the way and water is the safest stuff you could take to keep you alive.

6.   Headset. As a music fanatic, a headset is not a want but a need. Duhh, imagine a 24-hour bus ride or a delayed flight without anything that is preferable to you playing.

7.   Book. Sure, there are ebooks ubiquitously available with the invention of Android phones or you can read them straight from the desktop. But I am an orthodox lass who likes to flip pages once in a while and who is obsessed of book scent.

8.   Scarf. It is always multi-purpose. Scarves can serve as your blanket or towel, if needed. It is also a great way to travel in style without bringing too much.

9.   Good sunnies. The heat of the sun and wind might irritate your eyes. With neuralgia striking once in a while which makes me abhor glares, I could say sunglasses are functional fashion.

10. Slippers. I have a pair tucked on the side pocket of my backpack just in case I need them.


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