Welcome to BWAB!
I'm Jona, a former travel journalist and teacher, and a poet and fictionist with a high dose of imposter syndrome. My affairs with the world and words started with a book. I've seen bits and pieces of this beautiful wounded world. Hence, the name of the blog. I'm from the Philippines, lived in Vietnam for four years, and now I'm indefinitely living in Munich, Germany.
What originally was a repository of random thoughts on life, travel, and books, BWAB is now a full-on resources of those embarking the digital nomad life with a decent amount of travel guides, occasional dive trips, and book readings spread thick on this blog. Oh yeah, a lot of solo travel resources around Europe and Southeast Asia.
For real-time stories, puns, personally proven travel hacks, exclusive digital nomad resources, and self-deprecating awkwardness, join my weekly substack newsletter.
what's popular
destination guides
You may not know how to save your soul, but you know how to put one foot in front of another.—Rebecca Solnit
March 22, 2023
Joan Didion. Jeniffer Egan. Mia Alvar. Eula Biss. Ada Limon are some of the names that come to mind when I think of New York. These writers have written about and from New York. New York City has long been a hub for literary creativity and inspiration, and its independent […]
March 21, 2023
Known for its coffee culture, vibrant music scene, and stunning natural surroundings, Seattle has something to offer every traveler. From the iconic Space Needle to the bustling Pike Place Market, Seattle is filled with unique attractions and experiences that are sure to leave visitors enchanted. When it comes to accommodations, […]
March 20, 2023
Seattle is a city with an infectious love for literature and a thriving independent bookstore scene. Visitors to the city should not miss the opportunity to explore the many charming and unique bookstores that Seattle has to offer. From the iconic and the hip to the cozy neighborhood feel, each […]
March 14, 2023
Paris is a city that evokes feelings of love, culture, and beauty. It’s a city that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime, and what better time to experience the city’s magic than in December? Paris in December is an enchanting experience that captures the essence of the […]
digital nomad guides
And her joy would become a restless thing, flapping its wings inside her, as though looking for an opening to fly away.
― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
March 23, 2023
The closest to coliving I did in my adult life was when I tested the teaching waters in Vietnam and became a volunteer teacher for three months in Hanoi back in March-May 2017. I found this opportunity on Workaway, a famous website for cultural exchange and volunteering programs in many […]
March 1, 2023
Having stayed in Split for a week, I entertained the idea of moving there. It has everything I, who is used to tropical weather and beaches, need. It is coastal, has really nice beaches and neighboring islands, and a great selection of wine and cheese. It is not as expensive […]
February 9, 2023
I have been using Canva Pro for four years now, originally using it for occasional graphic work, for my blogs, and for my online classes, when it was still a promising start-up and not a billion-dollar business that democratizes design. There are many things you can do with Canva Pro, […]
February 9, 2023
Like many doe-eyed creative writing major graduates, I thought I would make money from my writing, but I’m no JK Rowling. Or a terrible poet yet wildly popular like Lang Leav. On top of it, I fell in love with a roughly expensive hobby — travel. So I tried travel blogging without […]
reading life
My grandfather says that's what books are for," Ashoke said, using the opportunity to open the volume in his hands. "To travel without moving an inch.― Jhumpa Lahiri
March 22, 2023
Joan Didion. Jeniffer Egan. Mia Alvar. Eula Biss. Ada Limon are some of the names that come to mind when I think of New York. These writers have written about and from New York. New York City has long been a hub for literary creativity and inspiration, and its independent […]
March 20, 2023
Seattle is a city with an infectious love for literature and a thriving independent bookstore scene. Visitors to the city should not miss the opportunity to explore the many charming and unique bookstores that Seattle has to offer. From the iconic and the hip to the cozy neighborhood feel, each […]
March 10, 2023
Are these names familiar? George Sand. Colette. Simone de Beauvoir. Madame de la Fayette. Gertrude Stein. No? How about Moliere, Voltaire, Balzac, Victor Hugoand Zola and Proust. Yeah? Yeah, now I know what kind of reader you are. 😉 So yes, these are some of the most popular writers who […]
March 1, 2023
Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Mohsin Hamid, Carmen Maria Machado, Tracy K. Smith, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and Little Gems on the Internet I aimed for fifty books read last year. I only read 20. I still considered it as an achievement of sort, considering the personal turmoil I had adapting to a new country. Before coming […]