Forest walk with 2 elephants, Luang Prabang

The Aftermath. So much excitement happening as the society was unleashed back to the world after the pandemic two years ago. And just like that, all seemed right in the planet again. First stop out of our little bubble, a trip to Dubai. Long awaited visits to families & friends in Manila and France. A wonderful Golden Year celebration in Laos. While the world is slowly emerging, it was the best time for reunions and travel. A time which cannot be replicated anymore again.    

What a Kilometer Makes. It has been over a year since we moved to our new place, just about 1.5km from the old one, but it already made a significant difference in our state of mind. The 3kg I lost from the move was totally worth it. What with an amazing rooftop from where we can see the stars again. A living area with so much sunlight. Singapore have experienced a hard surge of rental rates just when most are recovering from the economic fallout. Some have to downsize, move to less central areas, or leave. Luckily for us, it was a wonderful blessing.   

Overtourism, Senso-Ji Temple, Tokyo

World Records. On the news in France, it says the temperatures are "les plus chaudes jamais enregistrées," which was the case a year ago, and for just last week. Looking back to the past couple of years, the news are littered with the worst-ever recorded phenomenons, and breaking numbers with our society. Staggering pandemic profit for shareholders. No pause on wars. Skyrocket prices on life's essentials. Astonishing record on air travel surpassing pre-pandemic times. Over tourism in post pandemic world. A world that almost saw the end of it, but survived and now it goes like there is no tomorrow. Just a tiny glimpse on how earth repaired itself when for a moment the world stood still. And it was beautiful.

Social Media Absence. It has been about 3 years I just stopped being active on the only social media platform I have. It has such a positive impact. As if it's a different world. Finally seeing more details and not only on "content worthy" vision. Taking in more of your senses and actually just being there. On a recent trip to Japan, walking in Tokyo I saw a wonderful view of old wooden houses on a small street void of people and quietly took a photo. A young woman who seems to be in a hurry, stood beside me and just started snapping the same shot before she darted off again. She will then examine her photos and probably wonder what the hell this photo is before finally deleting it.

Community. Our helper started the year with a broken leg falling from a mango tree. Hospitalization and surgery bills, and in a household with one helper taking care of an 87 year old is somewhat a disaster. But a heartwarming show of community in our small village reminded me that "bayanihan", that sense of community helping each other, still exists. Our helper's friends hospital visits and help for administration needs. Neighbors sending food, helpers doing market errands and chores, until this day, 5 months after the accident. To express our gratitude to all the neighborhood helpers who extended their assistance, we invited them for a meal gathering. It was not a fiesta but with our heartfelt acknowledgement gave them happiness, and laughter around the table. It takes decades to be a part of a community, which probably is impossible now to find. But if we try to extend a hand first, maybe, just maybe it will grow to a society we desperately need. 

Fire trees, our somewhat version of cherry blossoms in Manila

Children Suffer Too. We have always made it a point to visit our ageing parents as much as we can. Doing a proper holiday to somewhere new once a year, and the rest go to seeing them more. And every single visit is becoming more & more difficult, leaving them behind, even just for a couple of months to yet see them again. That happiness and sadness in their eyes. It is always said how hard it is for parents to see their children go, but nobody wonders about how it is as painful for children to leave. There should be a handbook for this.

Novid No More. After dodging covid for 4 years, my immunity finally succumbed. Only halfway through the year, we have welcomed visitors more than we did in the past years combined. A file with three or four plane e-tickets at the same time. So much for carbon footprints and tourism pollution this year. It's not surprising my body finally sends a signal to rest. It took 6 sets of friends & family to visit, 130km of walking in Japan in 10 days, low quality sleep, extreme weather changes, a trip to Manila, and low-grade stress. So I find myself here, still testing positive on day 10. Even if I am perfectly fine and with no symptoms for now 7 days. Thank you, my body! Imagine the horror of catching it early in the pandemic. But it's likewise no walk in the park even after 4 years. There are no protocol in place anymore. Nobody can still really say until when you are infectious. While still waiting for a negative test in isolation, I was told to take it like a common flu. And all we have is social responsibility from a disease that scarred us with fear. But who really cares now?