How to explore and discover a new city for free? I'd say, join a free walking tour.

During my first two days in Taipei, I joined Like It Formosa's two free walking tours, and perhaps that belongs now to the best decisions I ever made in my travels.

Like It Formosa is an independent organization which promotes what they call "cultural tourism". It is a tip-based downtown tours by young local tour guides. See Taipei in a local's perspective—that is what they promised to do. And they did, I did. We visited historical landmarks with so much rich history, discovered hidden corners that only locals know, and they did it in a very informative way.

"Some days are for falling in love with people, some days for cities, and some days for your time in solitude."—Akif Kichloo

This trip didn't start out so well.

As I queued for the airport document check, I felt a rise of panic slowly conquering me. It was so crowded that night. Suddenly there was a big lump in my chest, and I started sweating coldly. I was restlessly fidgeting to calm myself a little and thought, "Is this what anxiety feels like?". For a second, I considered going back home, just stay in my room, play my ukulele, and forget all about this trip. But no, I fight the urge to back down and forced myself to keep going. Luckily, it was my turn.

Fall in love with a writer because she has the ability to immortalise you through her words. Those of which will live through passing generations, both consuming and rich.

Fall in love with a writer for she will remind you what it's like to be both broken and healed; to be both happy and sad; to be both boring and meaningful; or probably all at the same time.

Fall in love with a writer for you will be introduced into a different kind of universe; you will be the protagonist and the antagonist in her novels made out of you.

Fall in love with a writer for she will remember everything with vividness. The random silly conversations you had on a rainy, lazy afternoon; the coffee breaks you both squeezed into a busy working day; the silly stupid messages you send each other; the night you were both sipping red wine while listening to your favorite acoustic bands.

Fall in love with a writer because your love story will be a romance like no other, with a little exaggeration of each passing moments that you have spent together.

Fall in love with a writer because she will, and can love you, hard; through her complexity, through her chaotic stream of thoughts that may always be full of you, through her calloused heart that have felt everything so very deeply.

All of these could be a both scary, and comforting. But pick her up, choose her, grasp her.  Fall in love with her because by then, you will not make love; but rather, you will let love make you.

What do you fill the gaps of your heart with?

This song by Lany has been stuck with me for over a year already. I remember walking through the shore of Patong beach in Phuket while listening to this song. It's just so good, especially the strippe version. So I decided to make a cover of it. :)


ILSYB - Ukulele Cover from Lorraine Tiglao on Vimeo.