Visiting Europe for the First Time For Free

It is exactly 23 years ago today when I first visited Europe. It was a trip that was unexpected. I wrote some research papers for the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) which my boss submitted to the International Labor Organization (ILO). He was also the one who happily informed me that I was given a fellowship by the ILO to attend the 7th World Congress of the International Industrial Relations Association in Hamburg,West Germany. That was in October 1986.

How lucky can I get? My boss was even the one who got the trip for me. A lot of my colleagues at that time were telling me how lucky I was to be given that fellowship. Since they were happy I thought maybe I should also rejoice.They were telling me not to go back anymore and marry a European.They gave me names and addresses of their friends and relatives who I can call if Im lost. Thanks to them I felt relieved going to Europe on my own.

My close friends in DAP were so excited for me that they mapped out my itinerary and told me where to go.Some of them even gave me tourist books to read and bring so that I can go around Europe after the Congress.

When I received by travel documents and welcome kit from Geneva I even became more excited when I found out about my huge stipend. At that time there was no need for Pinoys to have visas in Germany.

What followed was a string of adventures and mis adventures starting from my luggage being left somewhere in Bangkok. I was able to claim some money for my clothes. At my rescue was the Consul of the Philippine Embassy in Hamburg who lent me her wifes clothes(imagine that) since my luggage(with the handle torn) was delivered only a week after my arrival.

I stayed in the homes of the generous UP friends of my sister Maricel. Her friends Nygel Armada (now you know where I got my eldest sons name) and his best friend Jingle were both studying their doctorate in Hamburg and I stayed with them for a month.I think Nygel is now the Chancellor of UP Visayas and Jingle is also with UP Visayas.

AMSTERDAM

Anyway, staying in Europe for the first time was exciting. Every week end I get to travel by bus to Amsterdam where I was approached several times by men selling Huskies(I think its similar to marijuana). I didnt know marijuana was legally and openly sold in Amsterdam and visiting the place where Vilma Santos filmed Miss X was really thrilling and also a bit scary for me since I was travelling alone.

PARIS
I was also able to visit Paris with another Filipina friend of my hosts. Since both of us were new in the City of Lights we wandered around the Eiffel Tower,Arc De Triomphe , Notre Dame Cathedral and Opera only. One thing I can tell you is never go to Paris alone or with someone you dont know...Paris is to be enjoyed with someone you love.

EAST AND WEST BERLIN

I was lucky really lucky to still have visited when East and West Berlin was still there. We took a bus (this time I was with my host Jingle who was visiting a friend in Berlin) to West Berlin. Going to West Berlin you have to pass by Checkpint Charlie and East Berlin. We took photos of the famous Berlin Wall.

You could see the stark difference in the living conditions in East and West Germany when you enter East Berlin. When our bus entered young soldiers checked our passports (they were mere teenagers) and along the way you can see people in drab winter clothes digging ditches I dont really know for what.

Entering West Berlin was like you entered heaven coming from hell. West Berlin was spankingly opulent and extravagant. The roads were full of beautiful and new cars.

HAMBURG, NEUSCHWANSTEIN Castle, Nurnberg and Oberamergau.

These places are indeed beautiful just like I have walked through a fairy tale book.

My UP classmate Alice (who married a German) picked me up from the Nurnberg train station and brought me around Munich, neuschwanstein, Oberammergau and even up to the border of Austria and Germany. Lucky I have her since I wouldnt be able to see all these places.

I remember visiting the Neuschwanstein and the other castle of King Ludwig by horse drawn carriage on the way up the mountain.
She brought me to Munich to witness the Oktoberfest. We went to the place where the Nazis of Hitler congregate and drink beer . She was my tour guide for 2 days.

Reminiscing about these experience I am happy just reliving the memory of this one month sojourn that was absolutely free. A free vacation from my boss.I now believe Im really lucky to have been there.