I started blogging back in 2003 when I was actively posting entries in an online forum that's called NastyForums.com. Don't judge! It's the first domain I bought online using my hard earned money during high school.Why nasty? I was so hooked with the Destiny's Child song Nasty Girl (2001) that my first ever email add back then was nastygirl28[at]yahoo.com.
Go and click the link to see how it looked like back in 2003. If I'm not mistaken it's a porn site now or something. Moving on...After graduating from high school, my love for online forums gradually disappeared and moved on with blogs. Our next Travel Junkie of the Month have been or will always be my favorite blogger in the whole universe. Please give a warm applause and cyber hugs to Ms. Pam Pastor!
I have no idea how I ended up in Pam's blogspot but it was the first link I'd visit after I'm done checking my Friendster. Her life was an open book back then, she literally blogged about anything under the sun. From lovelife, family, travels and even her obsession with flipflops, nandun lahat. I love her writing style, very engaging, it's as if I'm reading the diary of a close friend.
Pam influenced me on a lot of things. First, I remember collecting limited edition pairs of Havaianas and wearing them to school kahit na bawal. Second, I also tried doing that 365 photos in a year project. Of course I failed at first but then succeeded few years after, check out my own version of The365DaysProj. Third, her latest blog Polish Police is all about nail polish. As expected, I'm slowly upgrading my nail polish collection to Chanel ever since I read about the Peridot. Paolo (my boyfriend) was very supportive too when he got me a Chanel Taboo. O, di ba? I am obsessed with Pam Pastor. Buti na lang she agreed to be my next featured Travel Junkie of the Month. Thank you so much Pam! :) Di ko na papahabain pa 'to, check out our Q and A below:
Here's Pam on the movie set of The Lord of the Rings, Hobbiton in New Zealand.
- In one word, define travel. -- Adventure.
- Could you describe the importance of travel? -- We get such limited time in this world so I feel that it's necessary to see and experience as much of it as we can.
- How often do you fly, and on what airline? -- Several times a year. When I travel for work, the airline choice isn't up to me. For personal trips, I usually fly Cathay.
- Do you have a preferred day or time when traveling? -- I like really early flights (they usually mean that I stay up all night and then relax during the flight) or really late flights. Red eye flights are sexy. Or maybe I'm just weird.
- Who books your plane tickets and lodging? Are they personal or through a travel agency? -- No travel agency, everything done online.
- What’s the weirdest question you got from an immigration officer? -- "Are you auditioning?" When I said I was going to LA to visit the set of CSI. I wasn't but yeah, I've always wanted to play a dead body on the show. I've met some really funny immigration officers over the years. Luckily, except for a couple of people in South Korea, they've always been nice.
- Window or Aisle? -- Window. Comfortable sleep is more important to me than toilet access.
- Are you a light or heavy packer? -- Neither. I like packing all the things I need (plus a few extras, just in case) but I also make sure I leave space for shopping.
- How do you pass the time on a flight? -- I sleep, read, transcribe interviews, write and watch a lot of movies and TV shows.
- In what country or region do you enjoy spending your favorite travel season, and why? -- New York in the fall. Or spring. New York anytime. I used to say three weeks in New York weren't enough, then I went for six weeks. Still not enough. I love how you can never run out of things to do there. Anything can happen in that place. I'm crazy, New York is crazy - we're a good match.
- Tell us about your most recent journey. -- I spent three weeks in New York in April and May on vacation. And then I went to London for nine days in May and June for work. I really enjoyed both trips. In New York, I joined the Easter Parade, stalked Dominique Ansel and the cast of Orange Is The New Black, ate my way around Brooklyn, met John Green, Gillian Flynn and Ruth Reichl and geeked out at Random House. I also spent a couple of weekends in Atlantic City and Philadelphia. In London, I watched West End shows, did a lot of interviews, discovered strawberry beer and joined the Harry Potter and Jack the Ripper walking tours. I also took the train to Great Missenden to visit Roald Dahl's museum. -- OMG, I LOVE YOUR JOB!
- Where have you traveled and where do you plan to go next? -- Cambodia with friends. And possibly Florida for my birthday because I really really want to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter World in Universal Studios.
- What is your ultimate travel destination? -- Strangely, I don't really have a travel bucket list. I'm up for anything and I'd love to go anywhere I haven't been to before. I enjoy falling in love with new places.
- What kind of souvenirs do you buy? -- I've never really been the ref magnets or touristy t-shirt kind of person. I usually buy things that are unique to the place. I always always buy books (Strand Book Store in New York is one of my favorite places in the world. I can spend hours and hours there.) I also try to buy Doc Martens in every destination - they become my souvenir. I like wearing shoes that remind me of special places.
- Travel Tip -- Don't let other tourists make your plans for you. Yes, everyone wants to see the Eiffel Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge. Go see them but don't be afraid to veer away from the popular attractions too. Research! Discover your own treasures, find your own secret spots. Enjoy every second. Leave stress at home. If you don't let little annoyances bother you, you'll be a happier traveler. Don't be afraid to try new things. Eat new things. Leap from your comfort zone. Say yes to adventure.
Pam at the Brooklyn Bridge.
Shopping with friends in London at The Harry Potter Shop, Platform 9 3/4.
Photos provided by Pam. To be honest, I haven't formally met Ms. Pastor. I've seen her in person though, mostly inside the mall. Kaya lang I'm too shy to say hi! That's why I'm so thankful that she answered random travel questions from a stranger like me. It goes to show that she's a really nice person not just online but in real life. Thank you so much, Pam! Please continue inspiring and spreading good vibes to everyone. I hope I get to meet you someday. :)
Travel Junkie of the Month: Pam Pastor
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