Crossing Borders: First Trip Abroad

Ticket, booked. Baggage, packed. Passport, checked. Tour service voucher, two thumbs up.  I am off to my first adventure outside of the country. Yes, this would be my first trip abroad. At first, I planned it out alone. I want to travel alone. I read blogs about traveling alone and I find it so interesting. I read articles about Vietnam and some stories are scary. Then, I shared it to my friends and they were interested as well.  I think subconsciously I really don't wanna go alone. 

 

Here it is.  Immigration time. I am not sure with you but I have fear not to be allowed to go out though it doesn't need a VISA. Few questions were asked like do you have a return ticket, where are you currently employed, well, all to establish that you will go back. There you go I saw the seal of confirmation that I can go out. It was a relief.  

 

When we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, I fear that I will be deported. A lot of questions popping out and getting ready for answers. Oh my!!! I am hearing the barrier. My time to face my fear. Smile and greeted him, "Good Morning!" He can't afford to give me a smile.  I think it's a requirement for them to have frowning face. Anyways, he asked for my return ticket while scanning my passport. And, again, I saw the seal screaming, "Welcome to our country!!!"  I am already happy with that.

 

Vietnam and Cambodia expedition will be on a separate blog.

 

Time to cross the border.  I am a little bit at ease because I know already how it is. We rode a bus to Cambodia.  The in-charge of the trip collected our passports. Imagine, a bus full of foreigners all heading to Cambodia.  In the middle of the trip going to the border, my name was called by the in-charge. My heart skip a beat. What the heck is going on? My passport? I raised my hand. He approached me. He explained that there's something with my passport.  It'll expire March 03, 2015. My trip is September 25, 2014. Do you have any idea what's wrong with my passport? Yes! It'll expire in less than 6 months which, in the first place, I should not passed Phil Immigration nor Vietnam Immigration for that. Then, why? That's my exact statement.  His instruction is I need to follow when we arrived the border.  Please imagine the agony and the torture in me during the travel. And it's like 2 hours more to reach the border.  No matte how well I compose myself but I can't.  I counted my dollars. I checked the cheapest flight going back in the Philippines. Hey… Wait, how can I get to go back to Vietnam. Oh, fudge! I am going to die.

 

Finally, the moment of truth. Bavet, Cambodia - The Border. I followed the in-charge. He taked to me and the demands of Cambodia Immigration Officer (I won't be disclosing it here).  Who knows it might be his demands. I don't know what I'm thinking.  All I want is to shout, "I  CROSSED  THE BORDER. I MADE IT!!!" A sigh and tears of relief when we left the border.  Good Lord, Almighty Father, Thank you.  I know you made it happen. You know that I don't mean no harm in this trip.

 

Lesson: Check your passport before leaving the country.  Ignorance of the rules excuses no one.

 

But, of course, this won't stop me from exploring the world if a chance will be given. Let us not be limited by our fear. I said to myself, this will just be the start of more adventure.

Let us continue crossing borders. It feels really good.