I feel free when I am on that brink between exhilaration and contentment. I feel joy when I walk that less than an inch slippery rope under the sheeting rain. I feel excitement when I climb that blue roped wall with splinters cutting through my skin. I feel elated when I am up on air, strapped to what seems like a backpack, travelling several meters whilst suspended at a great height. Like an angel, I seem to glide with the wind and that is what makes it more glorious. I feel ecstasy when I am on my knees and strapped to a board as I am being pulled to have water splattered all over me. With my feeble wrists, I struggle to be strong to propel myself towards the direction I want to go. And just when the thrill ceases, I am let free to swim back to the sands. I feel invincible when I go on a ride meters from the ground and slowly see the breath-taking view of the city, a scenic beauty only seen from above, then all at once, plunge into a heart-stopping fall back to the ground. The moment when you’re above seems like a quick escape from the cold reality, and the few seconds of bliss seems like eternity. And after the adrenaline calmed down, I don’t just feel relief for having gone through it, I feel happiness for succeeding in something that might have originally given my confidence an ounce of doubt. For some fractions of my life, I feel brave. And to have a moment of bravery is an achievement worthy of being pinned on the wall of one’s home where every visitor will be inspired by its grandeur.
It may seem like I have been to many places, gone to several adventures but to be honest, I have not been able to travel to a place which is farther than my region. But all the emotions I have stated above, I have felt all that. All of those except one transpired in places that are not more than two hours away from my home. So I believe that what I want others to know is that we do not need a huge sum of money just to feel these wonderful emotions. We can feel happiness even in the vicinity of our hometowns. Though having felt all that, I now wish to expand my horizons and witness the sunset of a different sky. To be able to breathe the air exhausted by a plant newly-born in spring which was watered by the freshly melted snow would be an absolute pleasure. Navigating the borders of the Earth with my heart as the compass, the needle would have spun around crazily, pinpointing places that calls for my heart’s delight.
Every time I watch videos of various travelers, I feel my heart soar in a mixture of euphoria and desire. While I am sprawled on the couch and tediously flipping through the channels, I always stop to watch those which exhibit the splendor of various cities. Like any other person, my stomach always stirs hungrily at the thought of savoring the mouth-watering and exceptional delicacies of Italy. My heart fills in wonder at the thought of securing my love at the bridge of Pont des Arts. I dream about meeting the beautiful people of South Korea and enjoying a fashion show in Milan. I hope of riding a seemingly menacing Ferris wheel or roller coaster in Japan. I want to go skiing, wall climbing, water rafting, snorkeling, scuba diving, sky diving, and even cliff jumping. I want to build an Olaf at the foot of Mt. Everest. I also want to experience hiking several mountains and taking camp there with the only hope of surviving from the animals I have hunted. I want to go to caves and underground rivers. I want to watch a live circus show where there are lots of acrobats and tight-rope walkers, people who throw knives at people and people who wrestle with wild beasts. But after the adrenaline calmed down from travelling to all the places, I want to end my day with my least life-threatening desire of all: to jump from a colorful vinta or a modest banca, and then head back to the shore of one of the Philippines’ renowned beaches to taste my favorite inihaw na tilapia and then drink the refreshing juice of a newly-reaped buko. This is the simplest yet this is what I desire the most – an adventure in my own soil.
Now as this summer comes to an end, I bid goodbye to the couch which has now become the cruise ship which takes me to my heart’s delight, for I have now reached the pier bound for a new adventure.
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