A morning farewell and William's final advice
Today's the flight! I woke up at 11 a.m. Took a shower like usual. My familiar roommate came in and said good morning. I think we made eye contact about three times already. I was getting ready to leave, so he asked, "Are you leaving now?" and I said, "Yeah." Then I said 'Have a nice day' and walked out of the room.
The laundry I did yesterday was mostly dry, but only my pajama pants were still sticky. That was really disappointing. From now on I'll bring pajamas that dry more easily.
So, off to William's place! Today was the last time I'd see him. I checked out and decided to leave my luggage at the hostel. After that, I headed to William's restaurant. I ordered the same thing as before. This time there was no broccoli. It really depends on who makes it. And it also depends on whatever ingredients they have at the time. But that was fine too. Another full day!
Warm advice for travelers
When I said I had a flight later today, he replied, "I see, I see." Then he asked, "How long are you traveling?" and I said, "For a year!" He was really surprised. I told him which countries I'd be visiting: after the Philippines, Vietnam, then Cambodia, and after that... India...
He told me, "India is really dirty, so at least buy some medicine before you go! Be really careful!" He also said taxis are expensive, so when you arrive don't go to Arrival — go up to Departure on the second floor and grab a taxi from there. It'll be cheaper. That was a big lesson. He's right: everyone waits at Arrival so the price goes up. If you go to Departure, it's the same as for locals. I got an amazing tip.
Language as a bridge of the heart
William said he was made to learn Spanish, Chinese, English, and Filipino from the age of five, so he's really good with languages. He said once he learns something he never forgets it. He also told me that when you travel, learn how to say "thank you," "hello," and "How are you" in that country's language. People are creatures of the heart, so you can build connections with things like that. That was another great lesson.
While I was eating he said I'm left-handed. Because I'm left-handed, he praised me like, "You can be that clever, you know?" Thanks.
The final meal and a gift that stayed with me
It took about 30 minutes for the food to come out, and during that time I kept talking with William. The soup was really delicious. That taste — you don't often get that in the Philippines. Maybe it's because it's William's restaurant that it tasted so good. Still, the soup was really delicious. I got a lot of vegetables and was full of minerals.
There was a banknote on the wall, so I told him that Japan's 2000-yen bill is really rare and not in circulation anymore. He was surprised. Apparently a Japanese person had brought it and he showed it to me.
At the end I asked the cook girl to take a photo, and I took photos with William. Then with his phone. And finally with my film camera. I wasn't as embarrassed as yesterday, and I gave the souvenirs I brought from Japan: Bikkutsu and kabayaki snacks.
Then William was my number one. I gave him my business card: 00001. On the back I wrote a message. I also printed and gave him the selfie we had taken together before yesterday. I hope he'll like it. After paying I said, "Thank you!!" and we said bye-bye.
Chaotic domestic flights and the reality of the Philippines
I hurried back to the hostel and took a taxi to the airport. There was no traffic this time, so we arrived quickly. Then check-in. That took forever. Since it was a Philippine domestic flight, there seemed to be a lot of first-time travelers who didn't know the rules.
At the counter the attendants asked if I had a mobile battery or laptop in my bag, and some people only realized then and opened their suitcases to check. Some people were paying extra for overweight luggage. Because of that, it took about an hour.
Seeing things like this overseas makes me proud of Japan. Japan is wonderful.
Finally I managed to check in, got my ticket, and entered the gate. The gate area was packed with people. I wondered why domestic flights always have so many people.
Also, there are no convenience stores, so to buy water you had to join the long line at the donut shop or the tapioca shop and ask for just a bottle of water there.
In Japan, domestic flights usually aren't crowded, so it's really the opposite.
Anyway, the flight was delayed by an hour and a half, but I managed to board safely and arrived in Puerto Princesa!!
I booked with AirAsia, so a free in-flight meal was included!
Because it's a rural airport, we walked from the stairs across the tarmac.
Also, I accidentally bought the wrong ticket and ended up coming here, which was actually kind of funny. I feel like there's some fate to it, something to sense. Anyway, I'm going to enjoy it. Enjoy — that's all. Just that. Don't forget your work, though.
The tricycle and the baptism of foreigner prices
When I arrived and opened Grab, there were no taxis! Apparently this place is known for tricycles, and you have to ride one. Maybe it's not developed enough to even order from Grab. The airport really was a rural airport.
So I waited outside for a tricycle. Apparently it was 200 pesos to GUNI GUNI HOSTEL. I thought that price was a rip-off. But it's foreigner pricing, so I couldn't help it. Then I arrived at GUNI GUNI HOSTEL!
A fateful encounter with Irish Tony
There was a nice encounter at the hostel. Tony? Tomy? I forgot which, but he was from Ireland. While I was organizing my stuff in my container at the hostel, he struck up a friendly conversation. He said he was in the Philippines for a two-week trip. He'd be in Puerto Princesa until Friday and was going on to El Nido.
He said he lives in Australia now. In Ireland the pay is good but people work really hard and are very busy. Australia is slow life and very comfortable, he said.
A man like Cillian Murphy
I learned something I didn't know, which was useful. He was muscular and had a face like Cillian Murphy, so I thought Irish people are cool. Anyway, I came to Palawan Island and met Tony. His gestures, his vibe — really cool. I thought he was genuinely cool.
He said he's traveling alone. He has friends in Australia, but he also seemed to enjoy solo travel. When I said I'm on a trip around the world and the Philippines is my first country, he was very surprised. "Really? Your family? They must miss you," he said.
I wondered how old he was. He told me he works as an electrician doing wiring jobs. I told him I want to become a content creator and that I'm currently doing web-related work.
After that he said he'd take a shower and go have dinner, then said bye. It was a really good meeting. I was glad I asked his name. I'm still a beginner at starting conversations myself, so I'll work hard to be able to say "Hi, how are you" as smoothly as he did. I can do it. I believe that.
The fear of a town wrapped in nighttime silence
After that I decided to go out and have an experience, so I left GUNI GUNI HOSTEL. I walked a bit to a restaurant, but after only a short walk the area was so dark it felt too scary to keep walking.
All the shops and stalls were barricaded — it felt like South America. I realized this place probably doesn't have great security. The air wasn't that bad, but it didn't feel safe.
So I turned back immediately and returned to the hostel's restaurant. I went to get my laptop and there was someone on the lower bed, so I said, "Hi!" But I couldn't start any other conversations. I was shy. Well, it's fine; I'll get used to the environment more and more. That's all. Just that. Everything changes with the environment, so I don't need to worry.
A night facing myself, resolve to change
At GUNI GUNI Hostel I ordered the rather expensive pork chops. Also mango juice. Today I'll be fully nourished!
Then it was time to work. I still have a lot of unfinished work, so I just tackled that.
While I was eating, Tomy — the one I had talked to earlier — was already eating with two German kids, the three of them together. He makes friends so fast! I thought I want to be like that too. I'm sure I will be! It's only been less than a week since I started traveling, so I can't expect to change overnight. But I will get there. Everything depends on the environment, so I'll repeat this many times and overcome it.
Don't think and then act. Use your body, use your heart. That's fine. Be as you are. Be yourself, be natural. Don't be scary.
If, in the future, you get that opportunity, think about how much you'd pay for it. Don't run away. It'll be okay.
