Mad-Mla7: Finding Travel Buddies

One of the coolest things about living in Madrid was the openness of the people there, where weekly language intercambios were as normal as paella buffets and chocolate sandwiches. Meet ups with strangers of similar interests (language, travel, painting, food, etc.) was a regular social activity, with many invites posted online or in personal ads of free newspapers like segundamano (similar to the Philippine “Buy and Sell”).

Many times I considered hooking up with travel buddies through those ads, but guess in the end, I was still Pinay and Maria Clara about a few things, including sleeping in the same room with complete strangers. The most I got to do was meet up with painters in the park one sunny afternoon.

Back in Manila, I joined all the online groups on Philippine travel I could find. Members of these groups, mostly travel enthusiasts who meticulously documented their travels and willingly shared their research, set up regular travel dates that were open and “free for all”. On many occasions, was also tempted to join these trips, perhaps starting out with a day trip that didn’t entail too much “risk” on my part (like being stuck with a crowd I didn’t get along with, or one with a travel culture or style I found obtrusive). But well, shy me remained a lurker in these groups. Maybe the audacity “to brave new worlds” that pushed me to explore Spain didn’t apply here, where it didn’t make sense to travel with complete strangers when I had tons of friends and family to travel with…

Problem was, these friends and family always took forever to decide. Work, school, budget constraints or mismatched destination wishlists always got in the way.

January of this year, though, got an email about a fun climb to Mt. Pinatubo organized by Travel Factor, a newly set up travel agency run by true blue travel fanatics.

The overall vibe I got was different from normal travel agencies– it was friendly, young (active), and indie (budget!), plus it encouraged group travel, meaning an organized travel buddy system among strangers who wanted to visit the same place…

Felt that it was my chance to try it out once and for all. Three girlfriends took the email bait I sent out (so yes, it wasn’t a blind try out for me), and a week after, we found ourselves braving the two-hour trek up that infamous volcano, with about 20 other travel buffs we met for the first time –mostly photographers who turned out to be level-headed, generous and flexible..

Photo courtesy of Cedric

What made me decide it was okay (or safe) to do a 180 and join strangers in an overnight travel activity? Critical was Travel Factor, the neutral organizer that acted as our designated “mommy” for the weekend. The trip felt like the first day of class in school, only that class was already a field trip. There were a few familiar faces, but no worries because Teacher was there to make sure we all got to do what we were supposed to do and that we all got along in the process…

Many blogger-travelers share DIY tips these days, but there is still value in letting “experts” take care of that monster called logistics, so that all we’re left to focus on is traveling itself.

ABOUT TRAVEL FACTOR
Travel Factor is a registered travel agency made up of fun-loving, helpful girls (and boy) in their mid 20s, who are themselves budget travelers in love with the Philippines. The group was recently featured in businessworld.

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Old posts on Madrid-Manila:

Mad-Mla 6: Of Diplomats and Art
Mad-Mla 5: The English Language
Mad-Mla 4: Metro and Unlimited Rides
Mad-Mla 3: Painting Club!
Madrid-Manila 2: Pedestrian Life
Madrid-Manila 1: An Introduction