what?
A few months ago, after I gave birth to my daughter, some chord in our brains got struck and the partner and I suddenly decided on living a nomadic lifestyle. But, like most dreams, these plans are mostly just good (READ: smooth and free-flowing) in theory and also in an idealist’s mind. In reality, it doesn’t happen all the time.
Finding a good – and cheap – place to stay every two weeks or so? Not getting ripped off by scammers in the new place? Getting a location-independent job – and getting that job done on time, every time? Seems like a utopian dream.
For now, we are dealt with the facts of life: 1) we have no assets to sell off or savings to shell out cash from to jumpstart our nomadic plans, 2) nomadic living abroad seem also farfetched because of Visa, travel itinerary, place of stay and show money requirements, and 3) getting location-independent work is very difficult if you do not have the specific skills that employers need.
When we had the chance to go off somewhere, as a family, we decided to go after careful decision making. We weren’t in quite a good financial position that time because we didn’t want to touch our savings. However, I figured out that if we wanted to pursue our plans, we needed to know how to face challenges be it physical, emotional, psychological or financial. This was the perfect time to test the waters.
Now, enough about that really serious intro, it’s time to get on with business.
We boarded Supercat, a popular fast craft that had a Cebu-Leyte-vice versa route. Tickets cost PHP (~USD) each for a two-way trip for adults. Infants (children below two years old) can board for free but a terminal fee of PHP (~USD) at each ports had to be paid.
The trip was scheduled at 5AM. It took about two and a half to three hours to travel from Cebu to Ormoc, Leyte plus another hour is needed to get to Isabel from Ormoc. We were there for a friend’s son’s baptism, by the way, and I was chosen to be one of the godparents.
asleep, yet again, on the way to Isabel from Ormoc City
We almost didn’t bring the little miss with us because her grandmother wouldn’t allow. But, at the last minute, my mom decided that they were going to be busy that weekend and had no one to look after the baby. Hooray! We felt really ecstatic.
a quick diaper change
braving the cold
fast asleep
friends asleep, on board
Right after we arrived at the port, we immediately hired a van to get us to Isabel. We were a bit of in a hurry – we were almost running late. The baby seemed to be very fond of travelling and going out and about. She many times we place her in her baby carrier, she doesn’t seem to mind. Either she enjoys looking at the view (she hates being placed in the carrier facing the one carrying her) or she falls asleep.
finally in ormoc city
le partner with the baby
…and me
We were finally at our friend’s house in Isabel, Leyte. We only had about an hour or so to take a rest and change to our clothes for church. The partner and I were all hot and sweaty from the trip and had to take turns changing while also changing our daughter. The juggling act is quite fun, I tell you.
with her batchmate
I know they’re too little to have this shot but they look pretty cute here, don’t they?
looks like he’s about to kiss
Did I mention that the baptism ceremony was a special one (or so I guess because we were the only ones there) and that it had no mass. I was really envious. We wanted to get a special service during our daughter’s baptism about six months ago.
with family, godparents, friends
The reception for the event was held at a pretty posh place just nearby. It was really hot out – we could have dipped ourselves into the pool for a short while. All we did there was eat, though. We were rushing to get out (including the parents of the baby being baptized) and get to our next destination which is still about an hour or two away.
baby asleep at the reception
That’s it for now. Haha.
I’ll tell you on the next post where we went next.
Stay tuned!
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Big thanks to Chessa for the pictures in this post.
