AND so you are just contented and happily reconciled to life until one day, a friend sent you a personal message via Facebook messenger inviting you to go gypsy-ing somewhere on this beautiful Philippines. Being a working millennial who has wanderlust, you are enticed to go.
So you saved money and marked the date for the travel and apply a vacation leave earlier to make sure everything will go as planned until boom! Your travel buddy is suddenly sorry that he or she can’t make it.
Bitter? Not really. LOL. There are just things you need to accept.
So this 2017, you better be more discerning and must learn to distinguish a “travel buddy” from a “trouble buddy.”
1. Read between the lines of their Facebook status
It is easy to tell if your “supposed” travel buddy is going to ditch you nowadays. With the emergence of hi-tech gadgets and the social media, the ditching signs are clearer. Hahaha.
You will know that it is time to panic when the agreed travel date is already drawing near and your travel buddy posts a Facebook status like this, “Waiting for the next payday be like” which is accompanied by his or her selfie photo.
Don’t miss to read the hashtags too.
Bes, mag move on ka na. Wala siyang panglakad dahil hindi siya nag-ipon.
2. Beware of the something-came-up Facebook notifications
With excitement already creeping in your veins, you can’t help but send a personal message to your travel buddy a day prior to the travel date to inquire about the time and specific place for the meet-up. But all you are getting as a response is:
“I think I’ll cancel our trip tomorrow. Something went wrong at the office. I need to check on it first. I’m sorry but you can go even without me.”
Bes, huwag ka nang umasa.
3. Forgetfulness attacks
“See you on Friday. I can’t wait to explore Asik-asik Falls!” You told your travel partner but she or he suddenly gasped in shock and said “Wait, may lakad pala tayo! Kailan nga iyon?”
Pak! Ganern! You know that acquiring Alzheimer’s disease is a hopeless case.
Tumawag ka na ng Psychology experts, Bes. Malabo yan.
4. Unforeseen sickness
Dysmenorrhea and fever are just among the few excuses we can get from our partners as to why they cannot make the travel with you. What a surprise! Why did it have to fall on the same date where you were supposed to go and travel? You can’t help but wonder.
“Bes, sabi ng mga bituin magkakasakit ako ngayong Friday. Sorry Bes, hindi ako makakatuloy sa lakad natin.”
Wait. What?!
Itawa mo na lang yan, Bes. Laughter is the best medicine ika nga.
So what’s your ditching story? Are you a travel buddy or a trouble buddy?
Whichever you are, you should not take everything personally. If you really wanted to travel, you can always do it on your own or with others (the right ones please). Above all, be discerning to avoid bitterness.