The Winning Entry
My European Dream
new year, new hope, new life, new me
Showing posts with label europe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label europe. Show all posts
I still think, Gill's entry is much better, I am not being biased here. Well, the winner is a Filipina, so I guess, I should be happy for her. ;)
As a child, Austria sparked my imagination of Europe, with grandiose castles, churches, plazas and gardens through the film "The Sound of Music." But as I grew up to become a student of literature, I became more aware of Europe's role in the histories which constantly make, unmake and remake me as a woman, feminist, Filipino and even as a citizen of the world. Perhaps of all Europe, Spain and its capital Madrid would be the best way to understand my country's past and culture and possibly reflect on its futures. Finally as one who travels to find myself, I need to lose myself first and what better way to do it but to go to a place that is unfamiliar but captivating, emerging but old, quaint but definitely resilient, Prague!
Yesterday, Gillian called me up. I knew from the tone of her voice that she would deliver a great news! ;)
She told me that she received a text informing her that she's one of the finalists in the KLM contest "My European Dream." Last November 30, 2010, I received an email from KLM informing me about this contest. You need to choose 3 European cities that you would like to explore and narrate your reason for your choices. The next day, I forwarded the email with a simple note "worth a try" to Gillian, Eia, Lianne and Emma, my four travel buddies in my Europe trip in 2015. ;) That same day, I sent my entry, I got too excited, I didn't give myself some time to think about it. I chose Paris, Venice and Prague and gave very short reason for each. I didn't know that you have to post it in facebook(?) and facebook contacts have to "like" it (one of the criteria), Gillian told me about this when she sent her entry on 13 December. I didn't know that there's a mechanics! hehehe Well, I no longer have a facebook account that time so I guess, it's not really for me.
When Gillian told me that she already submitted her entry, I read it and I knew that her entry has a very big chance of winning. I know that Gillian is intelligent, she speaks well and is well-travelled, what I didn't know is she can also express her thoughts in writing so well.
Below is her entry:
"I believe that every traveler has Europe at the top of his/her "must-see" places. Certainly, it is in mine. I had the opportunity of setting foot in this dreamland September of this year, wherein I roamed in Rome (no pun intended), explored the rustic and medieval towns of Tuscany, and basked in the picturesque Provencal region in France. Reading these places in travel books, magazines, and blogs surely do not give justice to actually being there in the flesh. One must have a real experience to capture and appreciate its beauty and splendor. Many women my age would prefer to splurge on designer shoes or bags or jewelry. Travel is my only luxury and I definitely wouldn't mind spending my money's worth on a trip to Europe. Why not? It's THE place to indulge. It's a feast for the senses , the mind and the soul. So if by God's grace, KLM takes me there a second time to have a whole new gamut of European experience (wink, wink), I would have these 3 places in my itinerary: 1) Athens to explore the ancient ruins and satiate my appetite for Mediterranean cuisine; 2) Istanbul to see the majestic Hagia Sofia and go on side trips to Ephesus & Cappadocia; and 3) Vienna to visit the Hofburg Palace and relive my love for classical music and everything Mozart. An experience in Europe is definitely not a "been there, done that" moment. It is worth re-dreaming, re-exploring and re-discovering."
Yesterday, after she called me up, I visited the site and looked again for her entry. I found her entry on the 84th page, per page there are 6 entries. I also looked for my entry, found it on the 154th page, so I am certain that there were more than a thousand entry, so being a finalist is really something!
The finalists will gather on 3 March for a special lunch in Makati. I am very happy for Gill, I prayed that she would win free trip to Europe via KLM.;)
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