IF I HAD my way, I would have celebrated my 53rd birthday in Prague.
I’ve only been to Prague once before, but I like it enough to want a second trip there.
I’ve done the walking tours of the city, and the nocturnal pub crawls.
And for my 53rd, I just wanted to zero in on the gay pub crawl.
I like being with other gay men getting wasted.
I like getting wasted with other gay men.
(Yeah, there’s a big difference between those two statements.)
***
But omicron was the great holiday spoiler in Europe; and I guess everywhere else in the planet.
Not only were there many requirements to travel from the UK to the rest of Europe—think multiple Covid tests, isolation hotel bookings, et cetera; there were also restrictions—think closing of non-essential commercial establishments like cinemas, theatre, museums, bath houses, and (?) pubs and restaurants.
As a 53-year-old with a purpose, that doesn’t sound like a nice holiday to spend money on.
So I stayed in the UK.
***
In England, I enjoyed the hospitality of Filipino communities.
Mostly Ilonggos, mostly nurses; but also others from a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend.
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For those who are wondering what a Palanca Hall of Fame offers, it is this: the literate Filipinos in Europe welcoming you to their lives, and homes.
As if it were a joy for them to host a literary celebrity, to offer coffee, to cook and serve their speciality kare-kare, pinakbet, morcon, vacareta, sinigang, fried lumpia, et cetera.
***
They offer their houses, their beds, and—if I insist on the couch, their couches.
While most of them are working, they let me enjoy their Netflix and Amazon Prime Video subscriptions.
How can you not be grateful for that?
***
On certain days, I would insist on going to a nearby city or attraction.
I’m a great commuter; and I have so much fun working with bus and train schedules.
I go by bargain trips, not by my hosts’ schedules.
Which means they don’t have to come with me, and be my tourist guides.
I’m pretty self-directed as a traveler.
***
And so, I got stories to tell when groups get together for a night of drinking and food partying.
And so, I take some pride in visiting places and attractions that many of them haven’t even seen.
***
I was surprised, for example, to hear that someone living closer to Bath, that city in Somerset county, hasn’t been inside the Roman Baths!
And it’s supposed to be the biggest attraction there.
I understand that museums are an acquired taste.
But if you point to the £17 entrance fee as the deciding factor, that kinda makes me shake my head.
***
Another person, who lives in Worcester (and has lived there for more than ten years now), has invited me to visit her home.
I said I’d love to, because I wanted to see Worcester Castle.
And she said there’s no castle in Worcester.
And I said, But I saw it in a poster in one of the train stations.
So we Googled it, and there it was: Worcester Castle.
And all she said was, Oh! Is that the Worcester Castle? I always see it, but only on the outside.
Again, castles, like museums, are an acquired taste.
Full disclosure: nothing of the old Worcester Castle remains except for the Edgar’s Tower, but hey…
***
Guess which of these people are BBMs, and which are Leni supporters?
Guess which of these changed colors to Pink after a dinner party with (and for) me?
***
There are ways to campaign, and educate, people.
But because I can both be subtle (I stay away from political arguments) and bold (I wear pink, and show my genuine love of country) at the same time, I always get what I want.
I achieve what I have come to do.
I do what I’m supposed to do in this, my PINK Ambassadorial Tour of Europe.
***
What wows most people I meet in the UK is the fact that I actually travelled to campaign for Leni, and the Pink movement.
Being a “famous author from the Philippines” helps, but it’s also my mobility (read: financial freedom) and courage (in the face of the pandemic) that wins the day for my cause.
***
In the end, I’m “the” Peter Solis Nery, #ThePSN, because I walk the talk.
I do not only speak my opinion from an isolated ivory tower; but I actually walk among the people on ground level.
I hear them out first, so that they can hear me.
***
So, how will the rest of Europe pan out for me in 2022?
My intended return to the US is Feb 28.
I plan to stay in Maryland for a week, or two, to take care of official business/es.
Then, I am booked for a three-day vacation in Cancun, Mexico starting March 22.
***
For the rest of my European tour, I got standing invitations to Italy, Germany, Sweden, and Portugal.
And I already bought a 2-month, 10-travel days Eurail Global Pass.
I do not want to stress myself at this time, so I just submit to God’s time, and perfect timing.
Got passport, will travel.
For everything else, there’s my American Express, and Visa cards./PN
