In the beginning…
In the beginning was a dream. A dream I always think of, a desire to see the world, a passion to explore.
I woke up one day and found myself worrying about my age. Yes, I was not getting any younger and I wasn’t fulfilling my dream. Life has become a routine.
Wake up.
Take a bath.
Eat.
Work.
I was teaching highschool students. Sir!
Have coffee.
Lunch.
Work.
Go home.
Run.
Net.
Dinner.
Sleep.
I wonder if I can still call it LIFE. There needs to be change and I don’t expect that be given by boss, parents or colleague. I should stand up, run and chase that dream. That day, it was NOW or NEVER.
I didn’t pursue it without a plan, far from it. I was planning to reorder my LIFE, I was reflecting on what I love most (traveling and inspiring the young people) when I run, praying that somehow my life would echo into eternity.
I was running…
So before I’m done with my day job, I began to blog- it was at first a RUNNING blog, where I chronicled my first marathon training. I took up running because I want to see places and running is the cheapest way- its FREE and HEALTHY too.
At the finish line after running 42 kilometers, Dream Marathon 2010
The last cheque came and I was still enjoying abundance but then after some months of being unemployed I began to feel my poverty. My savings almost depleted. It was the time where I focused on my DREAM again.
I looked for my old Philippine map, the map that was hanging beside my bed when I was still in college. I pinned it where I can always see it. Day in, day out it was a reminder, a goal, a target.
The last money…
I checked on my balance and if I remember it right, it was less than Php4,000.00 Yep, I was that poor. That was my last money, no nothing more. So I thought about my dream and how to pursue it. I have to do it now or never. I should try, my last money would be spent while I stay home anyway. So I posed myself a challenge- 14 Days Solo Backpacking Challenge. Here are some of my words 2 years ago,
“Come July 6 (Tuesday), I am embarking on the longest backpacking journey yet in my life. Armed with courage, confidence, backpack, running shoes and camera… I want to do this solo because I don’t want to be in a hurry, stopping if I want to stop, take more time in some places, meet and make new friends along the way. My route would be Negros Occidental – Guimaras – Iloilo – Capiz –Aklan – Boracay – Carabao Island – Romblon – Batangas – Laguna (home). I will be bringing my 35L TNF bag, clothes good for 7 days (I will do laundry along the way), hammock and running shoes of course. The hammock will serve as my room/lodging most of the trip to save money. Challenge: Simple but almost impossible, to spend no more than PhP250/day or less all-in (US$6/day). At first, I’m very hesitant on this but because I want to encourage everyJuan that traveling is not only for the rich and famous, I will try my very best to do this. This means that I will be spending P3,500.00 (US$80) for the whole duration of the journey.”
That 14-Day Solo Backpacking on Western Visayas back home didn’t came easy, but it was a success.
After that, I was broke but was satisfied of my accomplishment. From the beginning of the planning until I write my blogs about it I felt LIFE. I was living my life again. I was not doing my regular routine, I was spontaneous, I was pursuing my dream, I BECAME ME.
Photos during my 14-day Backpacking Challenge
So I began to love writing, blogging and I thought it would be great to pitch my adventure to magazines. I joined blogging contest and worked hard to be noticed. This is the JOURNEY That Made Me a Travel Blogger.
In between…
Please visit my ARCHIVES, please check November 2010-December 2011.
PHOTOS from TRAVEL SERIES: Palawan Chronicles, Catanduanes Misadventures, Visit Batanes, Pagadian Adventure, Mindanao 400, Secrets of Northern Samar, Northern Mindanao Escapade, Visayas Trails, Napintas Ti Pangasinan
Wait, I almost forget that I was part of Lakbay Norte 3.
One of the 10 things you should do before you die: PLANT A TREE
Fast-forward.
ISANGDAAN Journey
Because I was doing what I love doing, I felt no pressure. I was smiling. Opportunities came, lots of and I continued to find of ways to improve and up the ante until I finally reached one of my dreams- to travel the whole Philippines. And that is what JourneyingJames is most known for: ISANGDAAN: The Most Epic Travel Challenge in the Philippines- A Success!
Now that I’m enjoying life to the fullest would I stop? NO WAY.
Consider for example someone who is very thirsty after walking miles and miles up in the mountains. Then he finally finds a spring, would you think he would be satisfied in just finding it. He would come to it, drink from it, pour some on his forehead, enjoy it, revel at it. He would come for more!
That’s me who found a spring and I want more…
WHAT’S NEXT?
____ ____ ____
epic and walang makakatalo! pak na pak ang first backpacking pala. i started reading ur blog nung mindanao challenge mo na. and ezcited sa susunod na chapters. continue inspiring us. what made me adore you more is because you stay grounded and humbled. dabest
ps: sa libro na bibilhin ko sana mi signature mo *wink wink*
grounded? im soooo mayabang shugah.
signature? signature nalng muna, saka na ung libro
waiting for the book sir james!
im excited
i hope i have the courage to do the same right now… but i guess, its not yet my time.. i know my perfect turn will come.. and when it does, ill make sure that the first place ill go to will be my favorite from Isand Daan..
ill always be happy that you chased your dream.. and will always whisper a prayer for you other dreams..
thank you for bringing the Philippines closer to the hearts of many..
there is no perfect time or turn nikki.
cheers nikki, see you someday soon!
no perfect time or turn? di ibig sabihin di ko yun magagawa?
actually, right after i posted that i saw a tweet from paolo coelho showing a clock which says that the right time is now..
basta, magagawa ko din yun..
yah, see you someday soon.
i will just echo coelcho: the right time is now
Such an inspiring post. I will support your book. All the best! God bless!
wow, thanks in advance natthan. will keep you posted
You really inspire everyJuan kuya JourneyingJames who wish to experience life through traveling. Go lang ng GO.
thanks for this comment Zhian!
kakainspire bigtime!:)
pashare din po ha:)
Hi James!
You remind me of this quote by Paolo Coelho: “Traveling is never a question of money, but of courage.”
I love reading your blogs. You are an inspiration. Thank you.
thanks for this quote. i googled it and found a load of insight.
i actually tweeted the quote, haha
i wonder if this will be enough to justify a resignation
)
one day. soon. i will travel. with a purpose. for a cause
haha! make that very soon cathy
cheers!
Can’t wait for the book to come out James! Make sure you throw a holler at me when it’s out!
You are an inspiration. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Proud to be Pinoy!
will surely do Jenn! thanks for sharing the blog on FB.
apir. enjoy Istanbul soon.
Boggacious ever! Ikaw na james and thank you so much for the inspiration! Excited na ako sa libro mo!
do pray that i will be able to finish it agad.
I’m just recently seen your website.. I’m still continuously reading. Enjoying it. I love out-of-town travel and planning to visit 72 Philippine provinces and numerous tourist spots & hidden spots. Your blogs & websites can be a big help. Prospect places to visit in a cheaper and relaxing ways.
jhe, its 80 provinces
glad it helped you!
Thanks for the info. Wew… further provinces to be visited.
Kababasa ko lang, kasi hinuli ko talaga yung sau. hehe.
Nice to know ang mga epic travel, kainspire naman.
Ok save the best for last. Your hardwork is of worth
Keep ‘em coming hammock boy!
Can’t help but be amazed.
thanks edmar for hosting the blog carnival! effort talaga, good job!
You are an inspiration to many especially to those who believe that traveling entails fat bank account. I hope to read your book someday, James!
thanks roman! will keep you posted on the book
anggaling kuya, hardcore! this is really inspiring lalo na sa mga katulad naming nangangarap ding sumunod sa ganireng yapak… helps build my courage to make it sooner… Salamat po!
go go leandra! you can do something like that too.
This is inspiring, James. On the last leg of my 7-week backpacking trip, I made the commitment to pursue my passions – writing about traveling and life insights to make a difference and, of course, traveling.
It is not easy, and yes, there is the very real issue of money, but I want to see this through. After being in bliss and fully blessed for 7 weeks, I don’t want to go back to the old me again. This blog entry of yours made me smile in a not-so-easy day. Thanks!
thanks for the warm feedback claire!
i love reading your blog. kudos to your passion.
i hope we can travel together one of this days
i wish i was that brave as u are! ;( but I’m learning, hope to see the things u saw around the Phil.
Very Inspiring.!
Dreams do come true. Thank you for inspiring me to travel again. Hope i’ll have my own travel blog soon.
let me know your URL if ever ha china.
hope you reach for your dream too!