I woke up around 12. The hostel room could sleep about ten people, so people were getting up around 6 a.m. and leaving, which woke me up. I dozed off again and ended up getting up at 12. Today I have a meeting (MTG), so I grabbed my laptop and headed to an outdoor restaurant.
Meeting experience at a deafening restaurant
I felt very alive today. Even during the meeting I stopped worrying about the little things I used to care about. I think it's the influence of the environment. The background was extremely noisy and music was blasting, but I was still able to hold the meeting confidently. That was really great.
I still have a Japanese mindset — I haven't escaped it yet — so I want to shift to an overseas mood/mindset soon. There's something strong I can't seem to break out of. I want to somehow get out of it and push myself. With that in mind, I worked.
The hellish heat of 31°C and 70% humidity
Still, it's really too hot. Even working at the restaurant, I couldn't stop sweating. Today's temperature was 31°C. Humidity 70%. It was insanely hot. My concentration was being eroded. My battery also died, but there was a space inside where I could charge, so I worked there. But the inside had no air conditioning! Or rather, there was no AC at all! So everything was just too hot.
After finishing everything, I took a shower. I took the vitamin and mineral supplements I brought, replenished my nutrients, and then went outside.
Lunch: Fish & Chips
The reality of Puerto Princesa
What's really interesting about Puerto Princesa is that there are only a few hostels for foreigners, like the GUNIGUNI hostel, and other than that there's really nothing. It truly feels like a rural island.
It's completely undeveloped — to the point where I wondered if it might be a South American country. But that's interesting. That's what I like. It's different. Feeling that way, I walked down a road I had been too scared to walk on yesterday.
My first 'Hi' — a small step of courage
A child sat beside me and looked at my face. So I answered with a smile, 'Hi!'
They looked at me with a slightly strained smile. And I managed to say 'Hi' with courage!! It was really a small breakthrough. I challenged myself and cleared it. I was really happy about it. It's the kind of 'Hi' anyone could say, lol, but it actually takes quite a bit of energy. So I was really happy.
But that's fine. It's my own challenge. It doesn't matter how the other person responds. What's important is how I live. Whether I said 'Hi' or not — it doesn't matter whether the other person replies.
So I want to take advantage of this opportunity to travel around the world, use lots of chances like this to push myself and break out of my shell. I'm full of that feeling.
Searching for a cafe by walking 1.5 km
The cafe I wanted was about 1.5 km away, so I decided to go there. Only bikes, tricycles, or cars were available. So I chose to walk. I haven't been exercising recently, and during this morning's meeting there were slight shadows at the corners of my mouth. In other words, my cheeks have gotten really big. That's not good. So I decided to walk.
It was good that I could walk there. That's fine. I walked to the cafe. On the way, I saw a police officer. The officer was carrying a gun. That was scary. It really made me feel like I was in the Philippines.
With all that, this isn't Japan and it's not necessarily safe. I have to be careful and think things through.
Puerto Princesa really felt like walking through South America.
The problem of the cafe not existing
Anyway, the cafe had very good ratings, so I decided to go. But when I thought I had arrived... there was no cafe?! The cafe I was aiming for wasn't there! Why? On the left was a tattoo shop and on the right another shop. Huh? It's not there... Seriously?! So the cafe didn't exist.
I searched for another cafe on Google Maps. There was one nearby, so I went to it. I walked about 100 m. Not there..! I wondered what was going on here (lol) and decided that's enough, so I returned to the hostel.
There really was nothing. Maybe it's because I'm not adventurous enough and haven't been able to find things yet. But there really was nothing. There was a stall selling whole roasted pigs. I thought pigs must be famous here. Also, there was a slogan saying Puerto Princesa is the town where God sleeps, so I walked thinking, I see.
Meeting the Aussie group
Anyway, I arrived at the hostel safely. Then I showered and took a short nap. I was really exhausted. I had reached my limit. I really couldn't stand this heat. I realized I'm not good with heat, and I also wondered a bit whether I'll be able to tolerate India, where I'm headed next.
After that, while I was sleeping in my room, a group of four Aussies came in. They were the typical party-loving type. Which was interesting in its own way. They confidently took showers and put on their underwear under towels right in front of me. They didn't care about anyone at all.
Listening to the Aussies' English, their accents were so strong I really couldn't understand them. I even thought it might be harder than American English.
I said 'Hi' to them. I was writing in my journal on my laptop in bed. My bed happened to be close to the shower room, so our eyes naturally met, I guess (lol).
Living boldly
Actually, I like places like this. Bold and fresh. I decided to live boldly and freshly too. You really don't need to worry about small things. You should live more boldly and originally.
Because it's bold, it's interesting. Having a set route and following it? There's nothing so boring and predictable. Worried about what will happen ahead? What should I do? Will I be okay? Beyond those thoughts there's something interesting. That's really true.
My heart wants to go there, but my head thinks and keeps me back. That's no good. The heart actually understands you really well and knows you. So the heart truly knows what you want to do. Therefore, follow your heart, not your head. Follow your heart. That's really important.
Be bold, be fresh, don't worry about details. Be more easygoing and take it lightly. That's all.
While I was writing my journal, a grasshopper came. Even when I touched it, it wouldn't go away, so I half-jokingly thought it might be an ancestor (lol).
Chicken and rice for dinner. It was delicious!
