Thoughts from a world traveler

By Diana A. Uy

Wise men have said travel changes a man, enriching him with such depth, teaching him things that go beyond the pages of a book or the four corners of a classroom. All it takes is that one small step.

For Bob Zozobrado, columnist and PR man, one should never allow any opportunity to travel pass him by.

"If you really want to be able to declare truthfully to all and sundry that you have lived a full life, there's only one way to do it? TRAVEL," says Zozobrado, adding that travelling had taught him much more than what he learned from 14 years of school.

Zozobrado was bitten by wanderlust at the age of 17, small wonder he's lost count of how many times he's been abroad. In fact, he is out of the country almost every two months. Being connected with the travel industry (Zozobrado is a shareholder at a travel agency) greatly helps as well in satisfying his curiousity of the world. Except for the African continent (to go on a safari in Nairobi, most especially), Russia (to visit St. Basil's Cathedral) and the greater part of China (to scale the Great Wall of China), Zozobrado can confidently say he has indeed circled the world. And his experiences? They are far more rewarding and on several occasions, star-studded.

Hobnobbing with celebrities

At one time, he shared a table with former US President George Bush (the senior), Frank Sinatra, Sylvester Stallone, and David Letterman at Planet Hollywood in Manhattan. He actually had taken Sharon Stone to a dinner date and "slept" with her (Zozobrado and Stone were seated right next to each other on a first-class British Airways flight from London to New York). Even Roger Moore was not excused. While coming out an airport, the ex-James Bond literally crashed into Zozobrado as the latter was rushing in to catch his flight.

But of course, there were also moments when he thought he'd lost all sanity and patience, even his own life. For example, he once got stranded for several hours in a Tokyo airport because of a storm in Manila, without assurances when he, together with irate and temperamental companions, would be able to fly back home. Another time, while flying from Manila to Guam, his plane suddenly lost an engine in mid-air. Zozobrado remembers that it was only after an hour of flying that the pilot announced they were returning to Manila for an emergency landing.

"It was the longest hour of my life, and I finished praying all the mysteries of the Rosary, called on all the saints in heaven, all my dead relatives, and I even wrote a goodbye note to my three children and placed it inside my underwear so that it wouldn't burn, just in case! I shudder everytime I think of that flight!" recalls Zozobrado.

The traumatic experience, surprisingly, did not stop this globetrotter from his explorations. He'd never tire of it, he says, adding every place is as fantastic as the next, each possesing such unique charm and character only seasoned travelers, like himself, can only appreciate ?from mundane or overrated malls to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC and the fascinating castles of Europe. He couldn't even think of a place he vows never to return.

Zozobrado budgets his trips from US$3,000 (Asia) to US$7,000 (Europe or US). That already includes expenses for pasalubong, which Zozobrado says is among his must-dos everytime he is overseas. "My only regret is that I didn't have the golden opportunity to work for the PNP, otherwise, I would bring 200,000 euros as pocket money each time I travel!," he kids.

As his trips are mostly business related, Zozobrado travels alone a lot. The only advantage of which, according to him, is that he can do pretty much his own thing. Other than that, nothing still beats the enjoyment of traveling with the family.

In that note, Zozobrado shares some of his amazing discoveries that both inspire and amuse:

The most unforgettable place you've ever been to?

The Holy Land?because I could still feel the Divine Presence in all the holy sites we visited.

Where are you usually harrassed in your travels?

Minneapolis because it meant work as this is the headquarters of Northwest Airlines and I'd fly there just for a one-day meeting, then fly back to Manila right after.

Where do you think is the most beautiful place in the world?

Anywhere in Europe, especially the countryside.

Where is the most fun place?

Anywhere in the US, because it means I'm with my family or close relatives.

The weirdest encounter you've had?

Conversing leisurely with a real live witch in Salem, Massachusetts.

Your most favorite place?

The Greek island of Santorini?been there three times, I want to live there the rest of my life? it's heaven on earth? there's something magical about the place that puts me in a very good mood the whole day, it's very relaxing, has out-of-this-world breathtaking scenery, with very nice people, good food, etc. I want to fly back there right now. I forced myself to watch this baduy Tagalog movie a few months ago just because it had Santorini as its locale!!! That's how much I like the place.

What's the most expensive trip you've had?

When I went to Nagoya one weekend, just to have an honest-to-goodness Japanese dinner in the city's most popular Japanese restaurant. I brought 10 friends along, as a celebration of my birthday.

The cheapest place you've ever been to?

When I was invited to visit Macau for the nth time. When I returned to Manila, I realized I didn't spend a single cent from my pocket money! And I had so much fun in the trip?good Macanese food all throughout?enjoying the sound of tokens coming out of over-generous slot machines in the big casinos, laughing with good friends like there was no tomorrow, etc.

Tell us some of your unique finds or treasures from all of your trips.

A bell used in horse-drawn carriages plying the streets of San Francisco in the early 1920s. I found it in an antique shop in San Francisco. I now use it as doorbell in the main door of my house. I also got this beautiful 16^th Century icon of Jesus Christ, made in Russia, which I found in an antique shop in Jordan. It now graces the altar in my Prayer Room.

What are your travel essentials?

In my hand-carry, I always bring my medicines, a set of clean clothes and underwear, in case my checked-in luggage does not arrive with me, and my book of crossword puzzles.

What are your pet peeves when traveling?

Seatmates who talk a lot. In fact, everytime I travel, I always request the check-in clerk to block off the seat beside me, so that I can really relax in flight and enjoy my trip?reading, doing my crosswords, eating, watching movies, without having to talk to anybody!