20thof November 2008. One day before my trip to Europe..I woke up with a heavy fever…I refused to believe it was happening to me. Not this time when its only one day before my MUCH AWAITED trip to Europe! I can’t be sick. I prepared myself as needed for work at 2pm, but this time I took taxi to work as I felt that my body was so weak. I ignored whatever I was feeling. At work, I started chilling. I bought 17dhs fresh orange juice which I don’t usually do on ‘normal’ circumstances as I am so tight when it comes to money spent while on duty, but this time I had to, to prevent my condition from getting worse. I went to pharmacy and bought 36 dhs medicine for fever. I told the pharmacist I cannot get sick! At 10pm, right after my duty, I was already so weak. I slept right away. I had to rest. By 2am, I got up feeling worst! This time I had given up my travel plans…I was too weak to go. I took 2 capsules again and went back to bed….I woke up at 5am and changed.
EURO TOUR FIRST STOP:
“On a Budget”
By hook or by crook, I reached Munich, Germany at 45 past 12noon with my friends Maricel and Arlene. Arlene and I planed this trip up to early morning during and after our work, almost everyday, searching the net for the best deals. I can’t let this chance pass by just like that!
Only a few minutes after our arrival, as we wander through the train station, we started feeling cold. One old lady even reacted upon seeing my ”shoes” seemingly amazed, then i realized that everybody was wearing boots or at least closed rubber shoes. Their clothes weren’t also same as ours. We looked for a corner and opened our luggageand took out “additional clothing”, and this is not only for the purpose of blending with them but because we felt it was necessary as it was freezing cold! 
From Munich International Airport we took the train at 8.50 euro each. The Wallis Hotel was just a walking distance away from the train station. Check in process was very quick. We were given a room on the first floor, it was a cute green room for 3 persons and a bathroom with a bathtub. Not bad for 113 euro a night.
Immediately after dropping our luggage in our hotel room, we moved and explored marienplatz and the old town residence, although just a walking distance away we didn’t manage to walk back to the hotel as it was freezing cold! We decided to take a taxi at 6.30 euro, split into 3. It was always a relief whenever we are inside a room or any closed space as there are heaters installed there . After gaining back enough”courage” to face the cold weather outside, we again went out to eat dinner in a Chinese restaurant just across our hotel. We ordered 2 platters of fried rice, a bowl of hot soup each, and stir-fried beef, which we didn’t finish as it was too much for the 3 of us. We paid 38 euro split into 3. Before our first order was served, our excitement heightened by the sight of snow fall! Yes, coming from a tropical country Philippines, and an alien residence of sunny Dubai, it was our first time to see snow falling from “heaven”. 
EURO TOUR SECOND STOP:
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
“…Of Apple trees and Snowflakes”
Surprisingly, we didn’t pass through passport control in Copenhagen International Airport. Before we knew it, we were already in Denmark! Maricel’sfather and uncle, both based in Copenhagen fetched us from the airport. In only 5 minutes or so of drive, we reached her uncle’s home and our “home for two nights”
Since we have a host family in Denmark, we felt very relaxed. There, we didn’t have to carry a map, asked for directions nor plan where to go. We experienced “serviced de luxe”! Thanks to the Matunog Clan.
The front yard of the house was covered with snow. There were apple trees too! Since autumn had all the leaves gone, winter didn’t keep us from seeing green apples hanging on the apple tree. Though the house was typical Danish outside, inside of it didn’t hide the Filipino look.
Ever heard of Christmas Market in Europe? Though it was -3 degrees, we headed towards the Tivoli Garden and experience our winter wonderland Christmas!
Entrance to the Tivoli Garden was 12crooner each, rides are paid separately. Only Maricel and cousin Mikey tried the rides though, as we thought it was too cold to manage.
EURO TOUR NEXT STOP:
PARIS, FRANCE
“Amazing Race?”
Nah, this is not my version of Lovers in Paris, but it will come soon, tsk..tsk..tsk.
Ours was actually like an Amazing Race. We were in Paris only for 2 days. We got to Paris via Air France. We flew at 10am and arrived after almost 2 hours. We checked in at Perfect Hostel, in a private triple room at 75euro a night after a train ride where we saw Paris “not at its best”. Vandalism was everywhere. I don’t know if it was part of their expression being known to be artistic or just plain rage. Whatever it is, i don’t find it nice. Unlike our first two stops, Paris was more diverse. Much like London (the first European city I’ve visited). But like in Germany, to speak to them was a challenge! Not much speaks English. They speak only French. Anyway, we managed….
Of course, a visit to Paris is never complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower. After having dinner in one of the Restos in front of the Louvre Museum, where we ate pasta at 6.50 euro each plus a slice of pizza, we passed by to a souvenir shop then headed to the Eiffel Tower by train at 1.50euro each. But due to slight rain and windy night, we decided to leave…
So the next day, we came back to see the Eiffel Tower then rushed back to the hotel to check out and left our luggage in the train station for 9euro and proceeded to Disneyland Park Paris!
My second visit to Disneyland Resort still left me disappointed, for again I didn’t get to fulfill my dream of getting a souvenir photowith Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck!
“They call it Autumn-Winter”
Strolling along the streets full of yellow orange leaves scattered on the ground, a very cool breeze kisses the skin, or pearly white snow showers the ground, yes this is what they call autumn winter. Now, after soooo long, on an autumn winter day, Ive been there….
Among my siblings, its only me who likes to accompany mama to the wet market. Mom doesn’t go anymore to Pasig Market but this time, on a Saturday morning I asked her to go there. Philippine wet market is always annoyingly noisy and literally wet, overly crowded to the point that I almost fell down when somebody just blindly passed by me. Mom jumped from one stall to another looking for fresh meat, and fresh means ‘mainit-init pa as in bagong katay’. Wow! Everything is fresh from fish, meat, fruits, vegetables…another face of the Philippine wet market are the vendors of all ages. I pity the small children who, instead of playing at home are there, roaming all over the market selling plastic bags. At the same time, I was so proud that at such a young age they learn the value of hard work.
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