Out and About: Chronicles of a First-time International Traveller

Yep! That’s right.

I have never been out of the country for a vacation or even a job assignment. 

Is that even unusual?  Maybe for some, yes. But, not for me though.  Let’s just say, it’s a luxury that I wasn’t able to afford immediately.  Right now, it still remains as a luxury for me. 

A family opportunity came and on December 1, 2016, I finally understood why most people, no matter how hard, would invest in travelling.

Surprisingly, I have been to three countries – Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Armenia - in the last two months.  There are two sides of this story.  But, it’s always better to look at the brighter side, right? 😉

So, here are a few things that I learned from travelling alone to a foreign land for the first time:

1. Research and Ask.

Whether you’re going abroad for some R & R or for good, it’s always best to read about the country’s history and current situation. It’s best to know what type of culture, rules and laws are going to welcome you when you arrive.

What’s good about social media is that there are a lot of people who are willing to share their experiences, too. Visit Pinterest or YouTube for visual sources of travel blogs, vlogs and tips on how to go through your travel. Or if not, Google is your ultimate friend.

If you have family and friends who have already travelled to your destination, don’t hesitate to ask. Nothing beats first-hand information with a personal touch!

As for me, I was fortunate to have family and friends who were willing to guide me through every step of the trip – from the documentary requirements, transportation routes down to explaining the type of people that I’ll be dealing with along the way. 

Smile and ask a stranger! You might gain a friend. :)

2. Complete and proper documentation is a must.

Yes, this part is definitely the most important part of international travel.

Getting a visa is already a challenge. Don’t let your efforts go down the drain just because you left a piece of paper.

To start off, make sure you have the following basic documents with you:

• VISA - Some countries issue a stamped copy of the entry visa. For some countries, such as the UAE, an e-visa will already suffice.

• Passport - Make sure that your passport is valid. Check the validity requirements of your destination. In the UAE, for example, the government requires you to have a valid passport for at least 6 months to enter the country.  Also, if you have already travelled to the same destination and had your passport already renewed, make sure to bring your old passport. This will be a plus point when you reach the immigration.

• Ticket - Do I need to say more? Well, yes. If you’re on a visit visa, the immigration will definitely look for your return ticket. So, make sure you have one. 

• Hotel Booking Voucher or Receipt - If you’re on a visit visa, this will definitely come in handy. Some immigration officers check this as an assurance that you will not overstay in the country.

If you’re only visiting and have all these, then you’re good to go. But if you look a little suspicious, the following documents might be asked from you:

• Proof of employment or business in the Philippines
• Proof of relationship with the person you’re visiting (PSA birth or marriage certificate) or affidavit of support 
• Letter of invitation from the foreign company if you have a commercial visa
• NBI clearance

Make sure you have this, just in case the immigration officer feels like holding you a little longer. Okay?

3. Foreign Exchange, Communication and Electronics

These basic items change from border to border. 

Most airports have money changers, so it’s better to have your cash exchanged ahead of time. If you’re a forex trader, I’m sure you know when’s the best time to do this. If you have no idea whether the money changers accept Philippine peso, it would be best to have it exchanged to dollars. And oh, most of them don’t accept coins. So, if you’re going back to your base, make sure to have all your coins collated and changed to bills.

If you have a postpaid plan, make sure to contact your service provider about its roaming services. But, using these services is much more expensive than purchasing a local sim card. Plus, most hotels and establishments now have free wi-fi, so communicating via messenger applications should not be a big problem.

Sockets may change from country to country. That’s a fact. Haha! Though connecting to the internet was not a problem for me, looking for an adapter was one. If you will be frequently travelling, make sure to have a universal adapter with you.

4. Check the weather forecast

Coming from the Philippines, I only brought the clothes that I love and feel comfortable with – jeans, shirts, a few cardigans, blazers and sneakers. It turns out these are not enough for some weather conditions.

Kuwait has surprisingly extreme weather conditions. When I came in December, it was already winter and the temperature would go as low as 3°C. Yep! The scarves, boots, gloves and beanies are not just for fashion anymore.

Knowing the weather forecast will definitely help you pack the right stuff. Also, don’t forget your vitamins as this would help your body in adjusting from season to season.

5. Travelling allows you to see the world in a different light.

Cliché? Yes. But, definitely true.

I have never imagined my first international travel to be solo. Now I understand why solo backpackers say that travelling alone is one of the most liberating and fulfilling experiences one could have.

I have met interesting people along the way and I think that was the best part of my journey. 

When I left Kuwait for the UAE on January 1, 2017, my flight was delayed for hours since no captain was in attendance. Imagine my horror when the announcement was made in Arabic by a security officer! This unfortunate event led me to making friends with a local Kuwaiti, who was so kind and surprisingly fluent in English - no traces of Arabic accent! He offered to carry my luggage, invited me for a cup of coffee and had one of the most interesting conversations.

“Everything happens for a reason,” he said. And that statement alone turned the stressful morning into a good one.

As I went along, I have heard tales of grief and joy from our fellow Filipinos. I have listened to stories of a liberated Muslim in a Christian country over a glass of wine. Overheard an argument of a deeply religious Christian Armenian with a Muslim Iraqi about the Bible and the restrictions of alcohol.  Some of them I still kept in touch with and connected with Facebook.

All of these made me realize that it’s more than just the things I read. Everything is happening. And it’s for a reason. ❤