1 year and a half

I'm writing this as I find myself back in the hustle and bustle of Sydney.

The last year and a half happened so fast... and that was all filled with Western Australia memories.
Perhaps 1 day I'll have some time to write down what has transpired.

Now, I once again start another adventure. half of 2017 starts back in Sydney.
Let's see what the Universe has in store for me this time.

They say .. "Third time lucky"

The Year that Was (2015) and The Year that Will Be (2016)

2015 has been interesting. A lot of challenges that pushed me to my limits, mentally and emotionally. I was out of my comfort zone in the early half of the year. But I embraced it with appreciation of the maturity I've gained from the experience.

2016 has just began... well it feels like it... but seems to be ages ago. Now January is almost done.

I'm writing you from the Western side of Australia. and yes, I'm back on the Road trying to figure things out again.

Meanwhile, I'll enjoy what's out here..... coz it's absolutely amazing!

Lonesome Traveler

Just wanted to share this with you. One of my latest songs which was finished 2 weeks ago. 

https://soundcloud.com/jowe-esguerra/lonesome-traveller-mix10

I've been playing the same tune and melody for over a year...trying to find the right words that I felt was fitting for the groove and emotions I had in mind.

The lyrics to this is the third version.... which I finished @ 1am on the 25th of November 2015 somewhere in Auckland, NZ

This was an acoustic recording @ The Depot Sound Recording Studio , Devonport ... utilizing the one hour free recording I won in one of the talent quest singer/songwriter competition last month. 

The song was inspired by the book of Jack Kerouac "Lonesome Traveler". A collection of his short stories telling tales of his travels On The Road. 

In a way, I sort of relate to his eccentricities and thoughts..... 

The lyrics was written based on his stories...and in combination with a few of my thoughts... 

Planting Roots

2013 seems like gazillion years ago. But the feeling before I chose that path is now haunting me again.

Planting Roots. Nesting. Settling.

For me all of these BIG words connotes commitment. Standing Still.

After years of vagabonding.... I think I've worked myself out.

The fear of attachment could be traced to the fear of getting left behind. Which makes me want to leave places again and again, acknowledging that possibilities of people moving and going is quite common. So rather be left behind, I'd rather go.

It's getting worse.

And this..NOW... is my way of fighting it all. telling myself that it's about Time to prepare a Nest. my own ground I can go back to, my own space... where I've stored all of my life belongings.

But then again, as with everything in life.... there's a lot to do with Timing.

I'll see how I go in the next few months.

and if the Universe means it for me, I know everything will just fall into place....As it always Does... at the Right Time.

The Top End - Venture North and follow the rugged coast

Tucked Away in the Top End is a wide expanse of beautiful Mother Nature. To be explored with awe, humbled by the majesty and ruggedness, silenced by the whisper of the wind, coloured with the mixture of red, green, white sand then scented with the salty ocean and pure air. The wide stretch of rough coastlines inviting as it can be, can be treacherous with the wild life that lurks around. However, as someone did put it, “This would be just like any other typical Resort if the dangerous wildlife were not around”.  It was then I appreciated their presence. Looking at things from a different perspective. Meeting a few locals and understanding the way of living of the people of Larrakia.

The abundance of Nature.. at its best….To live off the grid, to live off the land. Fishing for our dinner, learning how to spear wild mud crabs and eating fresh oysters off the rocks…exploring mangroves on low tides and crossing crocodile infested streams (not doing that one again for sure!)…. uninhabited. Back to Basics... the fundamentals of living. Far Away from the harshness of big cities. Energized by everything that Mother Nature can offer.

Have a view through my eyes….. click here for some of the photos >>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/nomad-jowe/sets

Note: The Venture North Camp is family-owned and is the only group who has access to the site and allowed to maintain the camp because of their relationship with the traditional Aboriginal owners of the Land.
Check out their amazing trips!! https://venturenorth.com.au/

In preparation for my trip back home

I'll be flying out tonight to Manila. Last time I was there... September 2013. That was when I was supposed to do the volunteering but had to put it in the back burner for an assignment in Melbourne.

 

Now.....this is it..... I'll be joining the group IDV - International Disaster Volunteers in Tacloban, Leyte, where the Typhoon Haiyan / Yolanda struck last November 2013. Still the situation is yet to be assessed when I get there. However, based on recent feedback, there's still a slow and sluggish improvement. But then any improvement is better than none at all. There are discussions between the Philippine Administration and Local government regarding funds to be released and action items to be planned out. As always, these are all politically driven.. and in a third world country... its "who you know"...

 

I've listed out the things I need to pack, whilst checking against the main packing list IDV provided. A wish list was sent over, which I'd most probably just buy once in Manila/Tacloban. Better to help the local community, besides, it's more expensive in New Zealand.

 

I don't really know what to expect. I look at the photos of the activities and it all looks promising. I may sound jaded a bit. These all comes out of a few volunteering experiences I've had, where expectations should be managed. I pray and hope that this will be a fruitful endeavor.....

 

Please pray for the success of this mission. I will try my best to record everything I see and experience. No sugar coating.... No filters... just the plain reality. Till my next entry.

Towards the End

It all started last March 21, 2013. Thinking of it now makes me realize how time passed by so swiftly, enriching my life with so many stories and experiences.

When I planned the Nomad Enroute, living on the road for a year, I was supposed to be in the outskirts of some unknown village in the Philippines... volunteering... as the culmination of my trip. I even had my return ticket booked from Manila to Auckland. That was the plan.

But you see, things doesn't always go as planned. A detour was granted and I acknowledged its presence, willingly giving in to the opportunity that presented itself.

I instead chose to grab  a 6-month assignment in Melbourne, a city that almost everyone raved about, a city that everyone said I'd like and learn to love, a city that "might be" my settling ground.

And so there I went. I do admit that the city is charming, lavished with vibrance of arts and music, designed with tram lines and flowing waters, flowered with numerous opportunities and enriched with the diversity of cultures.

I liked it. and towards the end I learned to love it.... perhaps part of it was because of the people I met who I wished I've met earlier on and not when I was leaving. The irony of life. However, isn't it that people become nicer when someone's leaving? Appreciation is the key. and I dearly wished that Love would have made me stay. But as it always goes for me, there wasn't enough convincing... nothing to get me grounded.

Through the months that I've been away I've learned a lot in terms of acceptance, expectations, hopes and letting go. and of course, there's a lot to do with the saying "Everything Happens For a Reason". I hold on to that everyday.

I am towards the End of this Nomad Enroute Trip. I'm back in Auckland and in a few days will be back in the Philippines to do what I was meant to do, to fulfill the mission I was supposed to and to give back to the community as I've been so blessed that I could do those months of traveling.

This will be my way of paying it forward, of showing gratitude......

I'll be in Tacloban, Leyte where the typhoon Haiyan struck last November 2013. My mission is to do as much as I could to help. I expect frustration, as it is always the case regardless if it's a first or third world country, much worse maybe this time... my basis established from feedback of recent volunteers. But then, i'll just focus on the goal .. to help and to share.

I don't know how I'll go after Nomad Enroute. A lot of people tell me to stand still, to plant roots and stay in one place. I thought I'd feel the urge to do so after the trip. I've been proven wrong by no other but myself. I don't know. Maybe this feeling will change in a few months.

I guess at the End of the Day, do what makes you happy....... life is too short. Live the Dream without forgetting to let the people you hold dear know that you love them.

Towards the End, it's genuine Love that truly Matters.