14 Things That Mean Something Different to Pinoy Adventurers
Friday, December 04, 2015
Because when we start traveling, things start to take on a much different – and, sometimes, funny – meaning. And so, here are 14 things that seem to mean different to us wanderlusting, adventure-loving, thrill-seeking Pinoys.
1. "Shawl"
What it actually means: a piece of fabric worn, especially by women, around the shoulders in place of a coat
What it means to us: a lightweight all-in-one travel staple, carried by both men and women, used as protection from the sun, wind, and rain; as a blanket during long commutes; to cover up one's bare legs when entering a Southeast Asian temple; as a towel, head- and handkerchief; and to level up an outfit, of course
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My friend Kat using her malong to cover her legs during our visit to the wake of Be' Lang Dulay |
2. "Assault"
What it actually means: a sudden, violent attack
What it means to us: in mountaineering, a particularly difficult ascent to a steep incline
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Mount Tagapo - Binangonan. Yup. That is definitely an assault. |
3. "On a Diet"
What it actually means: cutting off or monitoring one's food intake
What it means to us: occurs when one travels to places that do not serve rice
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a meal isn't a proper meal without this Photo from southeastasianhealth.com |
4. "Magnet"
What it actually means: a thing, often a stone, that attracts certain substances like iron
What it means to us: These
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We won't stop until every inch of our pridyider is covered with these babies |
5. "Convert"
What it actually means: to change, transform
What it means to us: to place one's self in some sort of moral dilemma, with regards to spending foreign currency, upon realizing how expensive something is when bought in Philippine Peso
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Happy... until you realize it's cheaper to get stuff at home. |
6. "Batman"
What it actually means: DC Comics' Caped Crusader
What it means to us: (as well as to the majority of Filipinos) the poor fella that gets drag into the mix when something unplanned happens or when no clear path or answer is discernible; could also be a synonym of destiny, fate, e.g. "Naiwan ako ng eroplano. Oh well, bahala na si Batman."
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"How did I get into this mess?" Photo from passion-stickers.com |
7. "Baby Wipes"
What it actually means: a small cloth treated with a cleansing agent, disposable and used for personal hygiene
What it means to us: the difference between maintaining a semblance of personal hygiene and smelling like one had ran a marathon, rolled in mud, then went to a danggit market all in one day
My personal choice of "baby" wipes Photo from makeupbyixa.wordpress.com |
8. "Top Load"
What it actually means: a type of washing machine
What it means to us: the precarious commute on the roof of a jeepney; commonly done in the Cordilleras and other rural parts of the Philippines
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On the way to Tinglayan - to the tribal tattoo artist Whang-Od |
9. "Take Five"
What it actually means: a shortened version of "take five minutes of rest;" used to indicate a brief pause from an activity
What it means to us: a shortened version of "take five selfies/groufies," often followed by another five more selfies/groufies
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Mount Tagapo. Taking five. |
10. "Long Weekend"
What it actually means: occurs when a holiday falls either on a Monday or a Friday or, on rare occasions, both!
What it means to us: 3 to 4 days of endless travel possibilities
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You. Are. Welcome Photo courtesy of wheninmanila.com |
11. "Stranger"
What it actually means: a person one hasn't met before
What it means to us: same meaning as other Adventurers' – a friend whom one hasn't said hello to yet
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Mount Pamitinan. The other girl on this photo -- the one holding her hand up -- is Adah. We literally just met on this hike. We're good friends now. Photo courtesy of Adah the Pinay Wanderess |
12. "Forever"
What it actually means: without ever ending, eternal
What it means to us: the future SO one hopes to meet during adventures, e.g. "I'll be in Thailand next week. Sana mahanap ko na dun ang Forever ko;" a person with whom one goes on adventures with, e.g. "Kasama ko Forever ko pag punta ko sa Greece."
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093015. May forever sa Batanes. |
13. "Seat Sale"
What it actually means: when airlines offer hugely discounted tickets
What it means to us: an emotional roller-coaster of sleep-deprivation, frustration, heartbreak, and (hopefully) elation
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The most stressful trilogy of all time |
and lastly...
14. "Travel Insurance"
What it actually means: an insurance that intends to protect travelers from inconveniences like flight cancellation and baggage loss
What it means to us: that thing that needs to be unchecked or put No on to keep air fares as cheap as possible
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That's a 300-peso savings right there! |
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