On New Year’s Day, I went on a trip with my bestie.

I was nervous in a quiet way, the kind that sits in your chest, but I was excited too. I didn’t try to name the feeling,I just let it exist.

It was snowing hard when I left. Carrying my bag felt heavier than usual. Walking on ice scared me. Every step felt like it needed intention. But somehow, I made it to the train station. I was the first one to board the train, and before I realized it, I was the only person inside. Just me. The silence. The sound of the train waiting to move.

I reached my first stop to transfer trains going to the city, and suddenly everything felt overwhelming. What if I didn’t know where to go? What if I got lost? I followed the signs anyway and stepped into a train that said Rail 3, Platform 3. I trusted that small instruction more than my fear.

I sat quietly by the window. Outside, the world looked frozen,like it was wrapped in a dreamy white blanket. Frozen lakes passed by. Roofs buried in snow. No people anywhere. Maybe everyone was still sleeping. It felt like I was moving through a world that didn’t expect me to be awake yet.

Then minutes passed.

Too many minutes.

I panicked. I realized I hadn’t reached my next destination. I missed my connection. I was on the wrong train. Not the express train I was supposed to take. That sinking feeling hit me,the one that says “you messed up again.”

But I didn’t break. I sat there calmly and planned my next step. I booked another train. Adjusted my route. Told myself to breathe. I reminded myself that this, too, was part of the journey.

I reached Žilina and waited ten minutes because of a delay. I observed people while waiting, quietly watching their movements and wondering about their lives. Then I saw two women and asked them which platform my train would be on because I wasn’t sure anymore.They were kind. So kind.And surprisingly, we booked the same train with the same seat reservations and they told me to join them instead.

Instant friends.

Strangers who felt familiar.

I listened to the way they talked, and I thought they might be sisters. Later, I found out they were twins. Funny how people enter your life not by accident, but through intention,through asking, through trusting.

They got off at their stop, and I continued my journey alone to my final destination: Bratislava.

When I arrived, my heart felt peaceful. I made it that far. I navigated my way to the hotel, checked transportation options, booked a taxi, and arrived safely. I checked in and waited in the lobby for my bestie, whose flight was delayed.

When we finally saw each other, we screamed like we hadn’t seen each other in years. Even though we had just met before my birthday, when she visited me in Manila. People around us smiled, and it felt like they were celebrating our friendship too, even if they didn’t know our story.

We rushed to our room, dropped our things, and the yapping never stopped. We laughed like our lives were a comedy series. The sun was already down, but we still wanted to see the city even at night.

We had dinner, of course Italian food. My bestie was tired of Italian food by this point, but I was genuinely happy, munching on everything we ordered.

Then we went on an adventure.

First stop: Bratislava Castle.

Seeing architecture so beautiful and well-preserved made me pause. We walked around while the cold wind brushed against us. It was freezing, but our hearts were warm. Full. Carrying only good intentions.

Then we went to the UFO Observation Deck. We had cocktails above the clouds. Endless talking. Endless laughter. The view was breathtaking. My heart felt full. My mind felt like it was floating above the city.

We walked straight to the Old Town, stepping brick by brick through the cold night.

The Christmas market was still there, glowing softly.

The pastry shop we were excited about was already closed, and I felt a small, real sadness about that. But we kept walking and found Kaffee Mayer.

It became an eggnog latte and Sacher torte night for me. My bestie ordered Raffaello cheesecake. I had Irish coffee that tasted more like whiskey than coffee.

Every bite came with stories,life stories, laughter, memories. Midnight passed without us noticing.

We headed back to the hotel, thinking the night was over. But once we arrived, we ordered McDonald’s because why not?

It was 3 a.m. when we finally fell asleep.

We woke up early to catch our bus to Budapest. We were tired. My back hurt. My head ached. But it was worth it.

Our Bratislava trip was filled with impromptu conversations, getting lost and finding our way again, nonstop yapping, and laughter that felt healing.

I’ll write about our Budapest trip next.

Thank you for letting me walk myself back through this memory.