A week of withdrawal

The 18-hour flight going back to the Philippines was a torture due to the fact that I was being carried away from the country I called home for 3 months and a week.  During the two flights, I secretly cried in my seat, hiding it from my fellow passengers. It was such an overwhelming feeling. I was crying when I was saying my goodbyes to my mum and Dave. I couldn't help it. Even inside the holding area, while talking to my mum on the mobile, I was crying really hard. I really didn't care if people stared at me. 

I even cried when I saw the Makati skyline not because I missed it, it is because I was wishing that I was back in the UK, not here.

The first week back was the hardest. I cried during the first 3 days of being here in the house. I was so unhappy. To top up my unhappiness, I started reminiscing everything that has happened to me for the past 3 months and a week. I wanted to get out of the house. Thank god, one of my bff invited me to accompany her to her work and an instant sleepover happened. But the loneliness  

Slowly, I was letting Philippines, my home, in again. It was so hard to say goodbye to the hospitality of every Filipino and English I met there that I seriously wanted to live right there and there. Well, because my mum was there too. And this person I met.

Happy to tell you that I have not been crying. Deep in my heart, I know that my trip that lasted for 3 months and a week is the not last trip I am ever going to make. I will definitely be back. <3 

Monthsary

It has been a month since I arrived here in this beautiful country. I am loving every minute of it. I am very, very, very, very thankful!! 

I got hooked on the cycle craze! There was a week when all I did was cycle! I did cycle on a highway which was CRAAAZZZZZY (I will never do that again!) I would never do that back home but here, sige lang! I cycled on grass, asphalt, gravel, hay field, mud, uphill, downhill, under a bridge/rail track. I cycled under the rain which was fun and damp! I got stung by plants but kept going. I trespassed a farm in order to get to the pavement of a highway. I discovered lovely old towns like Alfriston. 

I must get a bicycle when I get home. I could cycle all day.

As a gift, I bought four books this week to celebrate my one month relationship with Britain. 

Next week, we'll be going to SCOTLAND!!! And the week after that, CORNWALL! And maybe a week after that, London naman or Harry Potter tour or Wicked musical. If not, I shall cycle all, er'day. 

Cheers Mate!

I am loving every minute of this trip. 

Becoming a National Trust member

National Trust iis a non-governmental UK organization that preserves and protects places, historical ones and green ones and everything in between. They depend on membership fees and donations for their income of their employees.

Most of the places that I want to visit are mostly part of National Trust like Basildon Park, and Stourhead Garden. All because of the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie. Oh Mr. Darcy! And most members are above 60 years old! I think. Talk about aging quickly.

Anyway, I commenced my membership at Bateman's, the home of Rudyard Kipling, the author of Jungle Book. My mom and Dave paid 25 pounds for, I think, a one-year membership. My membership card will be delivered at their place and I received this swag!

It includes a car sticker, a handbook, a map of Sussex and the whole of UK and some other stuff.

I've been to three National Trust places since I arrived here Monday, August 27.

Bateman's

Bodiam Castle

Sheffield Park

Free entrance to almost 400 places! As if I'll be able to visit every single place. I'll make most of my time here.

I hope that one day, we will have something like this in the Philippines. An organization who will preserve and protect historical places so that we do not have to tear down such beautiful structures to make way for new ones (yuck!). I know it is wishful thinking. I may not to leave to see that day happen. But I am hopeful.

Looking forward to many more National Trust visits! For the meantime, it is really time to visit Banksy!

Later mates!