Affiliate disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links and will deliver a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase through the links presented. Meredith San Diego only recommends products and services, however, which she genuinely supports and utilizes for her travels.
Christmas songs hum over the internal speaker system of the aircraft as bodies pile into coach. I’ve counted five non-Asian faces on the plane as I shuffle down the aisle towards my seat, mine being the only one of color. Calluses have long grown over this irritation⸺being the only person of color in a small space⸺but my acute awareness to the reality constantly battles to rule the forefront of my thinking. Instead, I settle on thoughts that encourage change in this regard. Like the fact that I am forging forward to change exactly that. I think back on the countless memories I have of ally-ship and love. The resolve of this thought pattern carries me to my seat with a smile, diligent in being that face; that solitary presence, for now.
The sun sets on approach filling the sky with champagne pink and lilac colored clouds; my favorite color schematic for a sunset. The present illustration heavily assisted by the typhoon raging to the north, no doubt. Slicing through the clouds, the delicate pastels bounce off of the metal wings, cascading from warm undertones to a cool grey as the aircraft drops in altitude to prepare for landing. This, my 50th country visited in my lifetime, will be packed with island hopping, waterfalls and plenty of gastronomic fare. Achieving this travel goal once seemed impossible. But here I am.
Endearingly referred to as Tagalish, locals combine their native tongue of Tagalog with both English and in certain areas, Spanish. Often times, all within one sentence. The Spanish influences of old spill over not only in the last names of locals and the language, but is apparent in the architecture and overall color of the city. Businesses are often painted bright pink, blue, yellow or green. The West no less present with a strong hold on fast food chains or giant malls featuring products only westerners could afford. The growing presence of capitalism overtly overpowering local vendors, restaurants catering to tourism with fresh seafood or a few local favorites.
Residential properties, especially those in small towns in the jungle mountains, appear to have been built by hand. Held up by broken fragments of wood, bamboo shoots or sheet metal. Grown men stand on the side of the road, midriffs exposed in hopes of catching a breeze that may serve as a reprieve from the humidity. Children play in the gutters to catch frogs in abundance from the sporadic heavy rains of the season. Humbling emotions run through me as I observe how humans and nature coexist in a tropical fusion.
Poverty is the reality for the masses here. Families of six or seven sharing a small home with only four walls, often one giant open space with an outdoor kitchen area and an outhouse. Emaciated dogs with swollen tits, bulging eyes or random masses all over their body clutter the back alleyways. Children are resourceful and manage to entertain themselves while playing sports with imaginary balls and nets on loose dirt.
Meredith San Diego around Palawan, Cebu, and Bohol islands in the Philippines
The beaches of this island paradise are the primary focus of tourism. Wading out to a boat moored in the shallows my clothes and body are constantly soaked by the salty sea. A fulfilling paradise, indeed. Nautical. Island bound. I’m wrapped in sunlight and feeling my bliss. The sea surface glitters from the hot sun like a dozen diamonds were sprinkled upon it. The ocean is an emerald green, which melts into a rich combination of teal and evergreen and I can no longer see the bottom. I whisper to myself internally, good morning world.
I honestly felt like I was there with you when reading this post. You painted such a vivid picture when recapping your visit! I also did my ancestry and ironically got an update not too long ago. I’ve always been told that we had certain ethnicities in our bloodline and it has been really cool to see it show up in those results.
As a global citizen with more than 57 passport stamps, my adventure mandatory, serial-expat existence offers intuitive insight into globetrotting as a solo Black, female.
Whether it’s by plane, boat, moped, bus, or train, I LIVE for traveling.
100+ travel apps for wayfarers
Get your free copy of A Wayfarer’s Mobile Application Checklist!
101 mobile apps for travelers, from flights and accommodation to tours and sustainable travel.
Bag Lady Meredith San Diego is always on the move! Completing her 57th country in 2022, where can you spot Meredith San Diego adventuring in 2023? Stay tuned to find out just where in the world is Meredith San Diego!
FREE DOWNLOAD
Get your free copy of A Wayfarer’s Mobile Application Checklist!
101 mobile apps for travelers, from flights and accommodation to tours and sustainable travel.
This free guide covers all the apps you will need to make your solo travel easy!
Thank you!
Please check your email to get your free checklist!
By entering your details you will be added to my mailing list. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Where in the world?
Bag Lady Meredith San Diego is always on the move! Completing her 57th country in 2022, where can you spot Meredith San Diego adventuring in 2023? Stay tuned to find out just where in the world is Meredith San Diego!
Thank you!
Please check your email and confirm your subscription.
9 Responses
I live to one day have 50 passport stamps ( getting my passport soon). This is a great post, very well written.
You WILL have it!! Thanks for reading!
I love how you brought me into your story with your descriptive terminology!! What an experience!
I love storytelling and creative writing so I use both skill sets to bring you with me on my adventure🙋🏾♀️ Thanks for reading!
You paint such vivid and bright images with your words. You truly have a gift!
Highest praise 🙏🏽 Many thanks
I honestly felt like I was there with you when reading this post. You painted such a vivid picture when recapping your visit! I also did my ancestry and ironically got an update not too long ago. I’ve always been told that we had certain ethnicities in our bloodline and it has been really cool to see it show up in those results.
That’s great! It was sort of the opposite for us! The ethnicities we were told
Should’ve been there really weren’t 😳
Thank you for sharing your travel experience. You write so eloquently.