It’s been a week since I got back from the Philippines after my 2-month trip in Europe. The trip did not only change my life completely but I have learned a lot of life lessons from this travel. I know that you guys are so, so sick of my everyday drama telling you how I am so blessed and this whole trip was a miracle because I am self-made. It’s true, though. If you were in my position, you’d understand. I don’t know what I did in my life to be this blessed! That’s why I am sharing you this blog post about the things I have learned from this travel.

1. It’s okay to not be a solo traveler and to join a group tour

With my amazing friends around the world traveling Europe, sharing loves and laughs

Believe it or not, there are some blogs who are shaming other travellers saying that you are not a legit traveller unless you are a solo backpacker and I believe that is a huge BS. As long as you are traveling and appreciating the places you go, YOU ARE A TRAVELLER. I didn’t have anything planned when I first came to Europe. All I thought was that I’ll stay in Germany and then visit the neighbouring countries such as Netherlands and Belgium. That’s it! I am bad with directions and I know that I will 100% be lost that’s why I didn’t bother to check out other countries.

You know what happened next?

I found God’s blessings through Tinder.

Girl, what? What? What?

I know. Tinder. I use Tinder mainly just to advertise my blog. I swipe every now and then but I never meet up with guys because it never progressed. Anyway, a few weeks before I left for Europe, I saw a guy on Tinder and his photos were all around Europe. I asked the guy how much he spent for the travel and he told me “I am not sure because everything’s handled by TourRadar – they are an online marketplace for tours.” I had no idea what TourRadar was but I’ve been seeing their posts on my Facebook every now and then. I went to their site and scrolled for some European trip and was amazed with a bunch of selection from different parts of Europe. Hold up, guys. Just a disclaimer: I am not being paid to say this. I just love TourRadar so much because they let me experience a once in a lifetime (hopefully not just once, though.. lol) adventure that I would never forget.

I searched for a trip that will let me travel to multiple countries including the accommodation, transportation, guide, and meal and I found this 10 countries for 14 days Europe Jewel tour. It was worth it and I would pay even twice the price because it’s that good. 

If you wish to book any packages from Tour Radar, I have a code you can enter upon checkout to get 5% discount. Just enter TRIPCOMETRUE.

I’ve learned in my life that if you’re an introvert then go ahead, do solo travel if you wish to but if you want to meet new friends and stay in a good hotel and not just in a hostel, then feel free to book tour packages. It’s up to you and no one can shame you just as long as you’re having fun.

I had a great time with my good friends from the tour and I’m so happy that we’re already planning our next adventure in Asia next year. Traveling 10 countries in 14 days with my sweet and loving friends made this trip 10x happier. I am so happy that I stumbled upon Tour Radar and that they helped me from booking the tour to meeting the tour group in Amsterdam to checking me if I’m having fun. I did and I will do it again.

2. Different culture, different personality

I have met people from literally all around the world. I even met Keri, which was from Zimbabwe. I mean, she’s the first Zimbabwean that I know personally so that’s really cool. Different nationality, different culture, different personality that’s why you never take things personally. My roommate, Natasha, who is a British lady from South Africa but is currently based in Dubai first striked me as a condescending girl because she doesn’t talk to me that much even if we were roommates and this upsets me so much because I thought we will be inseparable. Breaking news: Honey, it doesn’t work that way. Filipino girls tend to be very clingy with each other and I expected the same with other culture and that is what’s wrong. Natasha doesn’t stick with me 24/7 because duh! She wants to mingle with other people aside from me and it makes me feel so stupid for expecting a person on a group tour to always be with me. LOL. I sound like a creepy roommate. Anyway, Tash is a very very sweet lady and we even cried the last day of the tour. She accompanied me to the train station and we promised to see each other again. YES! We will see each other again this February! I’m so excited, I love herrrrr!!!

My point is: When you travel and for example a person raises her voice, don’t panic and think she’s belittling you or what. Maybe she’s German and her voice is just naturally like that hahaha.

3. It’s okay to be lost

I don’t like to travel alone because I think I will cry if I get lost. I got lost in Prague and look at me, I’m still alive and typing this. It’s okay to be lost because what is the worst that could happen? You ask for direction, they point you to the right direction, you’re back. AC, my Indian friend and I got lost in Prague because we were too busy taking photos. We lost our tour leader and the rest of the group. We tried following their path but we ended up in a dead-end! I was panicking and almost on the verge of crying. Czech do not speak English that well so lucky me that I got a pocket wifi from My-Webspot which allows me to be connected 24/7 everywhere in Europe (use my code EUROPECONNECT for a discount – again, I’m not paid to say this hahahaha!) to translate and ask people the right direction. Direction to where, though? The rest of the group were heading for dinner and we didn’t get the name of the restaurant. We had to call our tour leader but my EU sim card only works in Germany. What we did was to find a small restaurant and ask anyone that looks approachable if we can call. A lady my age works as a seller in this pastry shop and agreed to use her phone to make a call. Imagine? She let two clueless Asians to use her phone without any hesitations! Faith in humanity, restored! Never be afraid to get lost because it’s kinda fun. LOL.

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4. Go ahead and spend

Go ahead and stuff yourself with the fanciest food, shop for your favorite brands as it’s cheaper in Europe, pay for that expensive museum. Go ahead and spend. STOP FEELING GUILTY BECAUSE IT’S YOUR MONEY. I used to spend only a little portion of my money per day in Europe because I feel guilty spending and I kept on thinking that it will be better if I just send this money to my family. I am very fortunate that my family told me to just enjoy my vacation and spend whatever I can spend. This is your vacation and you worked so hard to earn money just to afford this so go ahead and spend your money on this food with flowers. Hahaha, this is my friend’s food, though. I just took a photo because it looks cute!

5. You have to remove toxic people in your life

I have lost a lot of friends because of this Eurotrip. Some people just can’t seem to be happy with other people’s success and I can’t be friends with those kind. I have just graduated last year and people my age can’t seem to believe the fact that I have already traveled while they are still working to gather enough funds to do the same. I know that it is a millennial dream to travel especially to Europe and they can’t believe how I afford to travel. I always say that I have been working since I was 12 and 100% of this trip was funded by me. Yet, there are backhanded compliments from my former friends saying that I’m lucky because I have no responsibility at home that’s why I can travel. Girl, what? Even when I was in Europe, I made it sure that I’m giving my family the financial contribution right on time. You can message my mom and dad for proof of my remittances. HAHAHA! Some even jokingly said that I have a foreigner boyfriend who financed my trip and that made my brows raised up to my hairline. WHERE ARE YOU GETTING THIS CHISMIS? SERIOUSLY? Imagine posting a photo on Twitter and then after a few seconds have your “friend” subtweet “Look at this girl. Traveling the world! How’s you and your foreigner bf financing your trip?” I don’t need that negativity in my life. Blocked and unfriended in real life. Bye, Felicia and enjoy your miserable life. Say anything about me but you can’t change the fact that you’re drooling over my Europe photos. 😉

5. It’s okay to not like a place and it’s okay to cry how beautiful a place is

You are not obliged to like a place just because there are people who like it. I felt that way with Paris and I am so sorry to say that I don’t like Paris, I just don’t. I find it boring and overrated and I know that’s not how it is depicted in movies and books. Surprisingly, most of the people from our tour group find Paris underwhelming, too and that’s okay. You like Paris and I don’t and that’s f i n e. You do not to change your opinion because of other people. You are not expected to gush over a certain place if you don’t like it.

On the other hand, you can go ahead and cry when the place is too beautiful. Cry and cry like I did in Switzerland. I looked like a fool but that’s okay as there were people – even big, tough guys – who were crying too. It’s that beautiful. When we went to Jungfraujoch (yung-fraw-yok) I had goosebumps seeing people at the top doing the sign of the cross and overhearing how blessed they were to see the place. I cried and cried and thanked the Lord of his blessings. It’s so beautiful in there! Everywhere you look at is just like a painting. I got my railway ticket Jungfrau.ch. It’s on the pricier side (click here for the rates) but it’s worth it and I will do it again.

I enjoyed my trip so much and I feel like a different person now. I am happier and more positive because if I made it to Europe without depending on anyone, I’m sure I can make it anywhere again! 🙂