have hubby, will travel
There are few things more empowering than traveling to other countries on your own, especially if you’re an Asian woman. But a husband or significant other can be quite handy during a trip. Here’s why.
1. It’s tougher to coax strangers to take your picture. - I usually try to spot a family traveling together or someone pushing a baby stroller. I think it’s less likely that they’ll flee with your precious digital camera. Of course there’s no hard and fast rule and any con artist worth his salt would look like the most innocent tourist. That’s why I had few pictures in Prague and NY with myself in them.
hubby can’t refuse to take crazy pictures of me. (yokohama, 2008)
i shot this from a window at our NY office (2006) when no one was looking. believe me, i tried to pose for the pic with the cityscape behind me. i failed.
2. If you’re struggling with your suitcase, your S.O. has no choice but to help. - I confess to playing the weak card on this. Combine huffing and puffing with “miserable puppy” eyes for maximum effect. If you’re strong and athletic and have no need for an extra hand, fine, congratulations. But if you’re a wimp - physically, like me - it’s not a great setback to women’s empowerment.
3. If you get lost, you’re not alone. - Hubby and I initially set out for Ayutthaya, Thailand with the intention of renting bicycles when we get to the island. We spotted several bike rental shops after the ferry ride, but put off renting bikes in the hope of finding a better deal. Eventually we ran out of bike shops. No problem, we thought. Until we got lost on foot. It was a gruelling 2 hours of wandering aimlessly under the scorching sun. But thank goodness for Hubby who kept my spirits up when our bottled water was running low. And hallelujah for elephants! That cost us an arm and a leg but we actually enjoyed the quirky, bumpy ride.
photos from our second trip to thailand (2006), our favorite shopping destination.
4. You have an excuse for eating second helpings and more. - Hubby and I are passionate about Japanese food. At Asakusa in Tokyo, I ate five or six plates of sushi and sashimi, not counting Hubby’s plates which I helped clean out.
more photos from our first time in tokyo together (2008), courtesy of abie co.
5. Someone can veto your foolish purchases. - Having a shopping companion who knows you well can be good or bad, depending on what he/she thinks is an unwise acquisition. In our case, a Voltes V toy robot was definitely one of the best buys of our life (we were both fans of the Voltes V anime that was, after several episodes, banned from Philippine television by former dictator Ferdinand Marcos). Clothes are a different matter. Hubby might have vetoed the trench coat I got in Poland.
Two thoughts after my Eastern European adventure - which I’ve yet to finish writing about on this blog: (1) Every Filipina should travel to Europe alone at least once in her life; (2) One’s fascination is multiplied infinitely when traveling with a wonderful companion. 
