It was only a small writing assignment that needed a little bit of research but it bloomed into a hunger to explore the world and find my way into this ultimate dream destination someday.
I was working in a PR firm and I was writing an article on the special SMS service of a client. One of the services was a personalized text message to subscribers from a celebrity on his day-to-day goings-on. I signed up for the service to experience it first-hand and make my writing closer to the truth.
The first text message I received from the actor (supposedly) was that he’s on his way to spending his second honeymoon with his wife at Oia, Greece. I immediately looked it up in the worldwide web to check some background information of the place, so I could add certain details to the article I was working on.
What I found in the internet took my breath away. White structures with blue-domed churches that fill the hills of Santorini along with the picturesque blue sea made me want to fly with the said actor and see the place myself.
I was salivating at the thought of visiting this place one day. For many days, I’ve been looking up images of the Greek islands at Google and checking the Wikitravel for pertinent details. I read about Europe and its historical places as well as the Greek and Roman philosophers and mythology. I have been storing up travel magazines in my apartment, taking in every story and picture in my mind.
Everytime I watched movies set in Greece or whenever I came across things pertaining to Greece, I toyed at the idea that fate was egging me on to take that leap of faith. Even my travels around the Philippines seem to remind me of chasing after my dream travel destination – the dome of the cathedrals in Manila and in the provinces; the caldera of Taal volcano; the cliffs of Batanes overlooking the sea; the sloping roads of Bagiuo – they all gave me a taste of Oia.
With the appetite to see the world and learn about its culture, I ventured into traveling outside of the Philippines trying to fulfil my dream inch by inch and hoping that for every place I visit I bring myself closer to the essence of Oia. I’ve made plans with some friends to go to Europe. We’re trying to do something concrete to carry out our plans. We’re even thinking of pooling some funds just so we surely save up for this trip.
That will be the day when I will bask under the Greek sun, lie down by the white veranda, and look down at the caldera. They say it’s not about the destination but the journey. Oia represents a goal in my life. Every place I’ve been to and I’ve seen – the Angkor Wat, the Terra Cotta Warriors of Xian, the Great Wall of China – they are milestones for me to reach and the end goal is discovering more of the world and unraveling more of the deeper part of me.
For now, I can only wish to be part of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
This is an entry for the April 2012 Pinoy Travel Blog Carnival with the theme “My Ultimate Dream Destination and My Pledge To Turn It Into A Reality” being hosted by Robx Bautista of The Traveling Dork. For previous blog carnivals visit Langyaw.
I’ve been there just last month and Santorini is really as wonderful as you think it is. I stayed 4 days but I really wished I could have stayed longer! Best time to go is spring; not too many tourists and things are cheaper. 🙂 And it’s not necessarily expensive to travel in Europe. I wrote about it in my blog. You can certainly do it, roomie!
Hey roomie! Yup, I’ve been reading about your Europe adventure. You should share with me some tips, budget, and people I can contact should I go to Europe. 🙂 Send me a private message so I can shoot you more questions. And I wish you the best on your radio interview! My internet connection is acting up I wasn’t able to comment in your FB post. Let’s have coffee when you get home. See you soon!
Hi Claire! I love Greece and I would love to go there with you! When???
2014? Or is that a bit of a long wait to fulfill our dream of getting to Greece? 🙂
I also heard that it’s not that expensive there. And that it’s also a 3rd world country so expenses wont reach a staggering high. Which is weird cause I’ve always thought of Greece as another high-end country because of it being the birthplace of Greek Mythology. Hahaha.
Me, too! That’s my impression of Greece as well. 🙂
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loved Greece from the movie ‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.’ such a great place to be in, picturesque. i hope i can go there too someday 🙂
Hope we get there soon! 🙂
Beautiful! Ako rin, wish ko makapunta sa mga obscure but beautiful places out of this country but there are so many beautiful places here to keep me occupied for now. Haha dream ko makapunta sa Serengeti. Nung bata kasi ako feeling wildlife photographer ako eh. Hahahha!
Yah, there are many beautiful places just in the Philippines alone. Still, it’s good to explore other countries as well. 🙂 Where’s Serengeti?
Oia!
Another destination added to my bucket list.
Thanks for sharing Claire!
I hope you get to go there soon. 🙂
Thanks so much!