The departure of Jose Rizal for Spain was kept secret from Spanish authorities, friars and even to his parents especially to his mother because she would not allow him to go. Only handful of family members and trusted family friends were informed. In order to avoid detection, he used the name Jose Mercado, name of his cousin in Calamba. Before his departure, he scribbled farewell letters to his parents and his sweetheart Leonor Rivera.
On May 3, 1882 he boarded on Salvador bound for Singapore. He was the only Filipino passenger. The captain of the ship, Donato Lecha from Asturias Spain, befriended him although some Spaniards who spoke ill of the Philippines peeved him. To while away his boredom he played chess and always came out victorious for he was truly a good chess player. They landed on Singapore on May 9 and registered to Hotel de la Paz and spent a couple of days sightseeing.
Studies Completed in Spain
He was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid on June 21, 1884. The next academic year, he studied and passed all subjects leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine. However, he did not submit the thesis required for graduation nor paid the corresponding fees. He was not awarded his Doctor’s Diploma.
Jose Rizal also finished his studies in Philosophy and Letters with higher grades. He was awarded the Degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad Central de Madrid on June 19, 1885 (his 24th birthday) with the rating of excellent.
28 April 1888
Rizal arrived at San Francisco, California.
28 April to May 1888
He was placed in quarantine for 6 days on board the Belgic anchored off San Francisco Bay.
5-6 May 1888
Rizal boarded at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco, California. He went around for observation of the city.
8 May 1888
He started his trip of the American continent. He passes through Reno, Ogden, Denver, Farmington, Salt Lake City and Provo.
9 May 1888
Rizal continued his trip, passing the territory of the State of Colorado.
10 May 1888
He passed thru the territory of the Nebraska, Illinois.
11 May 1888
He arrived at Chicago, after four days crossing the American Continents.
13 May 1888
He reached Albany and later traveled along the bank of the Hudson River. This day was the end of his transcontinental trip. Arriving at New York on the morning, he boarded at the Fifth Avenue Hotel.
28 February 1888
Rizal, after days of travel, arrived at Yokohama. He registered at the Grand Hotel. He was offered at once the Spanish Legation for his home. In Japan, Rizal studied the habits and customs of the Japanese people, their language, theaters and commerce.
1 March 1888
He cheked out of the Grand Hotel and entrained for Tokyo and there lodged at the Tokyo Hotel.
4 March 1888
He wrote Blumentritt about the honesty, courtesy,cleanliness and industry of the Japanese people. However, he also expressed his disgust on the use of the mandrawn jinrikisha.
7 March 1888
Rizal cheked out of Tokyo Hotel and moved to the Spanish Legation where he was offered free boar and lodging.
15 March 1888
Rizal first saw O-Sei-san walking past the gate of the Spanish Legation.
7 April 1888
Rizal wrote his family and envisioned that in the future the Philippines woukd have more contact and relations with Japan.
13 April 1888
Rizal left Yokohama for San Francisco, on board the Belgic.
LOVE OF RIZAL