Who said vacations are supposed to be stress-free?
Unlike most people my age (24, if you're wondering), I still enjoy the luxury of a summer vacation since I'm still in med school. But med school lasts only four years, and sooner or later, carefree summers would eventually give way to 24 hour shifts and the trudging year as a full-fledge working adult. This being one of my last vacations, I was determined to make the most out of it.
First, where to go?
Travel shows bombarded me with a thousand and one places to go, but the hassle of visas thankfully narrowed it down to a few destinations. US and Europe with their strict visa rules for third-world citizens like me, were naturally the first to be ruled out. Budget and current events eliminated the rest. (As much as I wanted to visit Babylon, Iran and Nepal, my parents would never hear of it.) Russia and South Africa, exotic as they were, were far too expensive. South America too far and relative alien to most travel agents that they simply stared at me idiotically when I asked about Peru. Apparently, that country has yet to exist in their consciousness.
My mother suggested Singapore. Nah -- too staid and modern. China? My father, who follows the Tibet issue, refuses to pay for a China trip. My brother insisted on Damascus. Maybe. I started the season partial to the Middle East (it being after the Holy Week) and I was alos looking into Petra in Jordan.
Eventually, I settled on India. I've always wanted to see the Taj Mahal after all. Unfortunately, despite it being geographically closer to the Philippines than Europe, it might as well be in another continent. A nice travel agent agreed to look for a tour for me. It was already mid April. Naturally, I was not expected to go traipsing around India by myself. I had to find a travel partner.
This was even harder than finding a destination. Friends was an alien concept to me. Simply put, I had none. My brother obviously became my de facto first choice. He responded by doing all he could to dissuade me from going. Why in the world would anyone want to visit India, he asked, when Indians themselves were coming to our country. Well, if they would take the Taj along, I'd be happy to stop trying to get there.
I gave up on him and turned to my cousin instead. Unlike my brother, Gwen was always game for a good adventure. Unfortunately, her tight funds did not match her vast zest for life. Unless I would pay for her, I would have to go solo.
And so, I checked my funds.
A plane ticket alone would set me back $900+, plus the tour, plus our food, plus pocket money and a possible side trip to Darjeeling. My mom gave the ok sign, but I knew paying for two would be too much. Thus, weeks of itinerary planning, tour researching and studying India was for naught.
I gave up India.
May is just around the corner. I haven't even left the country and I'm already worn out from all the planning. I don't think I even have the stamina to plan another destination, to do all that research and visiting travel agents, let alone actually go on a trip. These days are supposed to be stress-free; ironically, I haven't had a decent sleep in nearly a month. The heat is killing me. All I wanted was a perfect summer trip.
I suppose I should have just settled for Singapore.
