Vienting Out the Vienna Experience

Because we really wanted to take advantage of the holidays and because we know where to buy cheap transportation, we went straight to Vienna after Krakow. So, we've "VIEN" to Vienna. (get it, get it?)

While I really want to write something worthwhile about our experience there, all I could remember was how extravagant and luxurious their royalties were. After the depressing experience in Krakow, we were then shown rich-ass plates and linen in Vienna.

It's common knowledge that life is unfair. During the 40s, the Jews in Krakow were struggling just how to fit in a standing prison cell; while in the 19th century, Princess Sisi and her family had numerous larger-than-life mansions. The earlier's goal was to either survive or die quickly while the latter's depressing problem was that she had to smile in public. And because she did not like royalty even if she was royalty, museums were built after her.

I'm sorry. It just does not make sense. But I guess that's how life is. It is never a fair competition. Thus, the only reasonable competitor is yourself. It is not healthy to compare yourself to others because you are not on the same battlefield. No one is in the same battlefield. The only real challenge is to make yourself the best that you can be taking into consideration all your assets and liabilities.

 This is how they set up royalty dinners.

This is how 3 students on a tight budget eat on a high-class restaurant: 
3 people sharing one slice of cake.

Krakow's Cracked History

Because Hungary had a 2 day national holiday and our school decided to make it a week-long holiday, we traveled up north to Poland.

We went to Krakow and our hearts bled as we were exposed to Schindler's factory, Auswitch and Birkenau concentration camps.

It is normal to have such disdain and contempt towards Hitler but this tour actually made me respect him as a leader. Don't get me wrong, I hate him as much as you do (unless you're a Nazi) and I believe his views are sick and twisted.

But you got to give props to the guy's leadership. I mean to have stupid ideas like that and yet convince millions of Germans to follow you and even build allies from countries like Italy and Japan, you must have had mad persuasion skills brother.

He was able to fool the Jews by letting them literally pay for their own deaths through his well-thought out schemes. Sure, he must have had intelligent tacticians that did this for him but he was still the leader. He must have had some charisma to attract these brilliant people to work for him.

I still think that Hitler is one of the worst people to ever set foot on this world but he is an artist in his own right, a con-artist that is. If you want to improve your leadership skills and persuasion abilities, you might want to check him out as an example. Just don't get contorted ideas like him.

Some Jews paid for their train tickets to go to the concentration camps.

Prague-ing Rights for Czeching the Republic

We went to Prague for the Feb 26 weekend as back-packers. (Technically, I only brought a mini-sling-bag, so does that make me a sling-bagger?)

It amazes me how the aura of the people in Prague differs to that of the Hungarians, despite their geographical proximity.

Hungarians are generally reserved and serious. When you buy something in a restaurant, they just want to get the transaction over with. (Of course, there are exceptions) This is not necessarily a bad thing because it makes things more efficient.

The people in Prague however are generally warm. When you order in a restaurant, they try to initiate a conversation with you. I don't think it's because the Czechs are better English-speakers; because there were those that didn't speak English well that still tried to talk to us.

I don't know if it's because of the difference in history, income, tourists-exposure, or culture. All I know is there is a difference.

The main point is that there is a variety of cultures out there. Not all Central Europeans act the same way. Just because they are generally Caucasians who live in Central Europe, doesn't mean they act the same way.

Even Hungarians have different sub-cultures. Not all of them dread the past, as what they are stereotyped to be.

In conclusion, I'm Prague-ing that I've been to Prague. :))

Special shout out to Kristian of Hostel Downtown for having the energy to entertain us.

 This does not do justice to how beautiful this place was

Parang Ilog Pasig lang... 200 years ago.

Pinoys Togeder Poreber

Filipinos (or Philippians as how they call us), like most Asians, have a collectivist culture. That means they always stick together and got each others' back. Sometimes, personal satisfaction are sacrificed for the benefit of the group.

This is not unique to Filipinos. Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, and others also stick to each other. In some aspects, their collectivist culture is stronger than ours.

But what I really find unique for most Filipinos is when they see another Filipino abroad, they have the need to talk to each other even if they do not know one another. It seems obligatory to initiate a conversation which usually starts with, "Pinoy?"

It must be that aching desire to talk Tagalog (Filipino to be politically correct), Bisaya, Ilonggo, or Waray once again. Some Filipinos are now fluent in speaking the language of the country they are in but it always feel great to say, "Hay nako, diba ate?"

Filipinos, also speak their native tounge better when they are in another country. When you're in Manila, you rarely hear someone speak straight Tagalog. Tag-lish is the common vernacular; while Jejespeak is another irritating topic. This must be due to the fact that when Filipinos talk Tagalog abroad, they do not want the others to understand what they are talking about, even if the others don't really care.

"Kapag nasa Pilipinas ka, nakaririnig ka nga ba talaga ng taong nagsasalita ng tuwid na Tagalog o sabihin na nating Bisaya? Bihira ang mga taong hiyang at matatas sa wikang Pilipino. I know right."

Eh, Taga saan ka sa aten te?

Of Travelling and Relationships

According to experts, you undergo 5 phases of Culture Shock Adjustment as you travel to another country

Stage 1 - Excitement
You get fascinated that you are in a different country. You appreciate everything there is to offer and while you may see a few glitches here and there, you let go of them

Stage 2 - Crisis Period
You begin to realize that the country you are in isn't all that. The glitches now become obstructions.You get irritated more than ever.

Stage 3 - Adjustment
This is the part where you now accept the negative aspects of the country you are in and adjust accordingly.

Stage 4 - Adaptation
The country you are in now feels like home.

 Stage 5 - Re-entry Stage
You go back to your home country and this could result into a positive or negative feeling. For others, they do not go back.


I believe that you undergo the same phases when you enter into a relationship


Stage 1 - Excitement
"She plays football, oh wow!" As if you love football! But it does not matter, you just appreciate and appreciate. If you get lucky, you enter into a relationship with her.

Stage 2 - Crisis
"How could you not like dogs?" Opinionated now becomes know-it-all, funny now becomes non-serious, and pushy now becomes nagger. Oh, such a tough stage!

Stage 3 - Adjustment
"Fine, let's compromise." This is the part where you now accept the other for who she is and give up a part of yourself. Wow, "give up". Such strong words but true.

Stage 4 - Adaptation
"I love you." Need I say more?

Stage 5 - Re-entry
"Will you marry me?" or "We need to talk..."


I don't want to sound like an expert. After all, I've only been in one serious relationship and a few, well I don't even know what you call it. But I do know about back-packing as I have visited a few countries now.

Back-packers are the best because they do not spend much money when they visit a country. They keep a tight budget by staying in hostels, taking public transpo, and handing out miniscule or zero tips. They dont stay long in one country so they only get the excitement phase. They only take the positives and leave.

A major caveat though is this can be very tiring. Travelling from one country to another and being always on the go wears out your body. Thus, back-packing is only for the strong, smart, and young.

After a tiring travel, you still search for one stable country to always come home to. Only, in relationships, a stable partner may not allow you to back-pack.

Back-packers' BFF

Better Late than Pregnant.

I'm 2 months late from the original plan of launching this blog. I was supposed to start blogging as soon as I got here in Budapest.

Unfortunately, I got into a sporting accident a week before my scheduled flight, which caused a tear on my right shoulder. Long story short, I had an operation and had to wear a sling flying here to Budapest.

I was really at my weekest, physically, flying here to Budapest. Imagine carrying a dead-arm with you. Ironically, I felt stronger than ever, mentally and emotionally that is.

I was told by people that I had an option of not continuing my studies abroad for now as I was really week. Post-surgery, patients are supposed to undergo rehab and I was not sure I could get a rehab doctor in a non-English speaking country (well, generally non-English speaking).

But I was determined, I dont want to go on with life thinking "what if?" I researched on how to do self-rehab (and mind you, I made a lot of mistakes which scared the sh*t out of me) and with the help of my mom and my aunt doctor, I had 4 weeks of doing self-rehab. After which, I found a kind Hungarian physical therapist, who may not speak English but is really great at playing charades. :))

And because of this accident, I really felt loved by the people around me. I guess its really during the low points of your life that you'll know who are the people that truly love you.

Special thanks to my mom who went out of her way and did everything she could to help me. If she could only keep me as a baby, she would; but she understands that I need to grow as a person so she trusts and supports me in whatever I do. Also, a special shout out to my mom's sister who has always been there to encourage me and help my mom in everything. And of course, thank you to the rest of my family, relatives, and my ever-loyal friends (y'all know who you are).

So, long story short, I had an accident so it was pretty difficult for me to write blah blah blah. But here I am now. This blog will be about my learnings as a young adult going around Europe.

Yes, I was advertising COI here in Budapest. Hahaha.