Tags: Travel Tales and Tips
Marjorie Gorospe
MANILA CITY, METRO MANILA - Gay Emami didn’t plan on making a travel blog but her friends encouraged her to do so she can tell more people that traveling need not be expensive and inspire readers to visit more places in the Philippines.
She started her blog “Confessions of a Pinay Travel Junkie” in September 2009, describing it as a “reportage revolving around a Filipina backpacker’s adventures and misadventures”.
She recalls getting bitten by the travel bug back in 2002 when she joined an outdoor group, then driven by a desire to do different things. A trip to Sagada sparked her interest in traveling, even going solo.
“My very first solo travel was in Amsterdam where I spent my life savings,” she recalls, saying it was a total culture shock because of the differences between Asians and Europeans.
But that’s exactly what made that trip memorable. Since then she’s traveled to different destinations in the Middle East, parts of Asia and of course, in the Philippines.
“Until now, I can still remember the time when I went to Basilan. People there are very accommodating not because they want to make money from tourists like me, but because it’s rare to see visitors because the place is notorious for kidnapping incidents,” says the 29- year-old traveler, adding that the place is far different from its chaotic portrayal on the news.
While most of the travel bloggers have taken up photography as a hobby, Emami herself lugs around a camera but says she’d rather enjoy the trip than spend her time than worrying about taking a good photo.
“It sometimes takes away the experience and I don’t want to bother myself taking pictures a lot. I want to inspire people but I want to be happy with my travels,” she says.
She says traveling has molded her to become a practical person, bringing only what is necessary for travel and survival. She recalls often seeing fellow travelers bringing the latest gadgets (“They even compare flashlights or headlamps”) that, for her, takes away the feeling of “being home” in that particular place.
“Yes, you have these things and then you’ll see locals using only a gasera (lamp). How about spending two days living basic (like the locals), something that can make you feel home,” she says.
Her basic necessity? Bring enough shirts in your backpack. And always convert dollars to pesos when traveling abroad so you don’t end up blowing your budget.
Emami used to travel only on weekends but now enjoy taking long trips with her husband. Now that she’s six months pregnant, she’s taking it easy, which means more time devoted to filling up her blog.
She considers blogging as a sort of responsibility to her readers so she can dispense advice about particular destinations they may be interested to visit.
Read more about Gay Emami’s travels on her blog Confessions of a Pinay Travel Junkie. You can also visit her Facebook fan page for updates.
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Congratulations for being featured, Gaye!
You’re really such an inspiration to me and to other travelers, too.
idol tlga!=) same here, no flashy gadgets, not even an ipod or mp3, i bring a book to entertain myself when i’m bored! haha but i’m guilty of the photog thingy.
and i agree w/ you on that. but I guess when travel blogging or travel photog is ur job, then traveling is not just a passion, but it becomes ur job. so u tend to spend more time in getting pix of beautiful sites or sunsets or research and tke pix of most establishments or hotels/hostels you see. but i cnt blame them, it’s their job. and readers benefit frm those pix and info anyway. =) thy’re blessed to hve such jobs, they get to do what they love to do, travel and mke a living out of it. and i will be forever thankful for the the beautiful pictures and info that they share.
and as for long term travelers like you & fipnomad… I’ll be forever thankful coz,aside frm the ‘getting there help and travel tips’.. in a society where success is measured by ur bank accnt, status, power and assets, you & flipnomad truly inspire me to keep on walking….and do what I love to do, free from the expectations of the society!
thank you Gay! =) u are truly valued! Much love! =)