My Journey Starts

I am very excited as I booked my ticket to Italy. I told my Mother that I have already booked my flight to Italy three days from now. I have to go back to Manila tomorrow morning. She agreed and that night after our dinner, I packed my bags. My Mother told me that she will go to Manila next week as soon as Atty. Garcia is done with the papers. This is it! I have mixed emotions going to the airport and seeing my ancestors in Italy. I opened the first letter of my Grandfather to see the instructions on where I am headed too.

My Child, It was a great honor for me that you are doing this trip. I enjoyed my trip when I was your age, I hope you also enjoyed it. Follow the map and let your heart's desires take you. Never give up. Never say no as you will complete your journey. Read the surface of the map and you'll understand where your first destination is. Always, Your Grandfather

I am so confused as I thought this will be an instruction on how to get to the places on the map. As soon as the plane landed in Italy, I went to the nearest hotel and took a rest. Tomorrow I will start to find my first destination.

The following day, I took heavy breakfast. I was looking at the map while sipping my coffee. It was cold here in Italy. My Grandfather knew that I hate cold places, but here I am, one of the coldest places on earth. After my breakfast, I checked out of the hotel. I followed the path and instruction at the back of the map. I headed to the train station at dawn. I have my backpack, my courage to find the cities on this map. My wisdom to understand their culture. My faith in self that I will be successful in my long journey. My choice is the town of Fides in the North.

I asked the ticket guy, "How long will it take to go to Fides?" "It will be a long ride, 2 hours of train ride and 45 minutes boat ride." the man explained to me. "What? That's how long it is?" I exclaimed. "You must be a new tourist?" he asked me. "Ye...Yes.." I replied very shyly. "You know kid, it might take too long to reach the town of Fides but if you are there, it's a whole new world for you." he explained to me. "Thanks for your explanation." I said. "No worries, young lad. Have fun on your journey." he told me.

After a few hours, I heard the bell rang and it was time for me to board the train. I felt so excited at the same time as a test of my patience. Two hours and forty-five minutes of journey was not my cup of tea. I'd rather sleep and so I did. After 30 minutes, I woke up and saw the scenery out of the window. It was a new experience for me so I took some of the photos and took it back with me when I got home.

After two hours of train ride, I started to get on board the passenger boat. Another forty-five minutes of my life to spend for me to get to this town. I felt so bored and sleepy at the same time. So, I took a power nap to regain some strength.

At last, with my power nap, I did not even realize that I am already at the Fides Port. Finally, my first destination. I felt so fulfilled and excited to see the downtown. The port was decorated with turtle doves, a graffiti wall filled with sweet notes, and two angels kissing on each post of the port. I was amazed and I couldn't take my eyes off the port. The man that I talked to before I went here was right. This is a new whole world. Inside the port, there are five different shops. The first shop is a stationary shop selling different types of papers in all colors and sizes. The second shop is a souvenir shop where you can buy turtle doves and kissing angels. The third shop sells pens, the fourth shop is for digital ads, and the last shop sells padlocks.

I am so amused on what to buy as it was overwhelming. I said to myself that I needed to see the town first before I bought any souvenir from the town. I tried to use my phone's GPS so that I won't be able to get lost in the city. However, my GPS is not working. So, I decided to go to one of the shops to buy a map of the city. "Hello, good morning." I told the old lady. "Hello there. How can I help you?" she asked me. "I am looking for the town's map, can I buy one, please?" I asked the lady. "Oh, the map. I do not have the map, but on the port at the right side, you can see a vending machine and you can buy the map there." she instructed me. "Thanks, you are a good help." I told her. "It seems that you are new here?" she asked me. "Yes, I am." I replied. "I would suggest getting the tourist map will be a great help for you." she told me. "Thanks, again. That will be a really great help." I said to the lady and bid goodbye.

I went to the vending machine as she instructed and was shocked that they have 15 types of map on their vending machine. I was very lucky that I am not that lost as it was arranged alphabetically. I was so excited when I opened my tourist map. Looking at it, there are five destinations listed and I cannot wait to see those five wonderful places.

I get out of the port and look for a hotel to stay. I am planning to stay here for three days since the town of Fides is just small. I checked-in to the nearest hotel to freshen up and sleep for thirty minutes to regain my strength. When my phone alarmed, I woke up and took a shower. I went to the hotel's dining area for me to have my lunch. The food at the hotel is amazing, as I love beef and shrimp is one of my favorites. It was really a five star experience for me.

I forgot all my worries back in Manila. I felt that it's been awhile since the last time I had a real vacation. After my lunch, I went back to my room, got my backpack and the map that I bought earlier in the morning in the vending machine. I opened the map and closed my fingers to where my first stop was. After five seconds, my fingers pointed to the Bridge of Lock. The Bridge of Lock is not far from the hotel that I am staying at. I would say it is a 10 minutes walk from how I estimated it. As I was walking, I read something about the Bridge of Lock. As per the map, it was built in the 15th century and an eternal love was witnessed on the bridge. I was fascinated about the history of the bridge. When I was there, I noticed that there is something written on the wall.

A very romantic scripture that was written centuries ago. I crossed the bridge and saw the view of the entire bridge. I took pictures of myself. I noticed two meters apart, a couple saying their vows. After they said their vows, they both threw two locks at the river and kissed. I noticed that they also both exchanged the keys. I looked at the bottom of the river as I got curious. I saw millions of padlocks on the river bed. I asked myself why couples are doing that?

Is there something on the river that they will keep their love forever? I find it crazy but my curiosity kills me. I saw a man sweeping the bridge floor at the front of his shop. I ran towards him calmly and asked, "Hello, Mister." as I caught his attention. "Good morrow my friend. How met?" he told me. "Hi.... I'm sorry... what did you say?" I asked him with confusion. "You're new in our town, ye?" he told me. "Yes, I am new here." I replied to him. "I can see your puzzled face, ye!" he said and I chuckled. "How do you find our town?" he asked me. "I find it amazing." I answered him. "Good, ye! I assumed you are curious about the locks, ye?" he asked. "How did you know that?" I asked him. "Well you see young lad, a lot of new tourists here asking for the locks, ye. Since you told me it is new, I assume you want to ask for it ye!" he explained. I smiled and nodded my head. "I just want to ask the couple I saw earlier, they are exchanging their vows, threw two padlocks and exchanged the keys. Why are they doing that?" He laughed a bit and explained, "You see my boy, you must seek and find as I did not respond, the evil eye of melancholic voice may arise." he told me. I was so dumbfounded when I heard it. I am very clueless as I do not know what he was talking about. He said, "Seek and you will find." while pointing to the library.