Travel in a time of crisis

Seemed like out of the blue, the price of a kilo of NFA rice skyrocketed as the price of gasoline yo-yoed throughout the preceding months. Dazed we all are as we still grapple with the reality not only of our situation in the Philippines, but more ominously that of the whole world!

The first thing out of our agenda is leisure travel as we have always considered that as non-basic, luxury even.  But think again: now, more than ever, is the best time to do it! Everything is on sale, even airline tickets…did you avail of Philippine Airlines’ buy 1 take 2 FREE domestic tickets to any destination? Had you gotten a one-way ticket, you could still have gotten 2 one-way tickets for free!  Of course, like all “good deals,”  there are limitations:  you have to book on specific dates.  And the offer was good only for a short period.  I think booking was within two weeks, but the flying dates covered the next four months, till September.  Lucky for me, I was in the PAL office area for some other errand, so I went in to look for my friend Chris Lebumfacil as my “suki” Marivir Villanueva was on leave.  Chris told me that the offer was good until the next day so I had overnight to plot my itinerary for the next months and was able to call my travel mate Honey Loop who also availed of the promo.

Going to the U.S. can be very attractive at this time when the dollar is low and our peso has strengthened.  There are mall-wide sales all over the continental USA and sale out there is really a bargain, unlike the “sale” we have over here.  Europe is still expensive, as the Euro is strong, so that can wait for better times.

At the moment, one’s financial management comes to fore. If you have been constantly saving for a trip to, say, the US, then you must now have the necessary dollars in your bank account or in your safety deposit box.  So, what keeps you from making that trip? The best salve to a crisis is to give yourself a treat, if you can afford it. Then after the vacation, you can have a better mindset & more vigor to face the challenges that await you back in the home ground.

Nothing is more depressing than depriving yourself a pleasure you have long dreamed of.  For as long as you have saved enough to be able to travel, then do it. Even now.

Go to your favorite travel agent.  It is cheaper to buy your international ticket through an agent than going direct to the international airline office. And your agent can make suggestions to make your trip more convenient by customizing it to your personal preferences.

Bon voyage!