Solo in Bagiuo

This blog is literally screaming for new posts! As in, literally.

I have months of backlogs and as a new year goal (fingers’ crossed), I vowed to post more regularly. I have high hopes for my “revamped” self discipline this year. Yay! ;)

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I would start my post for this year with my solo trip to Bagiuo, summer of last year. During the holy week of 2014, I decided to go up north. Although it wasn’t my first time to go on a trip alone, it was actually quite daunting because at that time, I was still on the process of regaining my pinas’ rhythm since my three years of living in Thailand had programmed me to meld with the Thai’s laidback way of life. Plus, I didn’t book any accommodations ahead, I had no specific plans and I had no itinerary. Several well-meaning friends were actually astounded when they learned that I didn’t pre-book any accommodations, reminding me that there is a big possibility that I might not be able to get a good place or an affordable one for that matter, because a lot of tourists were actually smarming to Bagiuo for the holy week. So, when I boarded the bus going to the city of pines, I was actually boarding it in good faith that my luck would follow me all way up north.

DAY 1
My original plan (See? Kahit papaano may plano ako . Ahahaha.) was to stay in the teachers’ camp. I know. I know. It was actually one of the biggest decisions in my life (This is not an exaggeration.) because I’ve definitely heard a lot of teachers’ camp’s infamous horror stories that while I was still on the bus, my heart was actually thumping with the thought of staying there for three nights. In my head, I was already picturing out my would-be horror encounters. Imagine kung gaano ako katapang at that time? I, who would probably top the “Most Matatakutin People in History “ list, if there’s any, actually decided to stay in the teachers’ camp?????!!! Like, seriously? Points for me, then!!!!

When the person in the information counter of the camp told me that there were no any available rooms for the day, I feigned a disappointed look but secretly, my super matatakutin self regained her normal breathing. That’s how ironic I am. Ahahaha.

Without any idea were to go, I hailed a cab, asked the driver to drive me around the city so that I could find a place where I could stay. That was very impractical, I know, but I had no other choice. I probably went down the taxi and asked for vacancies in 5 different hostels and transient houses before I was able to finally find a place that seemed comfortable and safe, plus the accommodation fee was quite reasonable.

Everything seemed perfectly okay until I found out that they assigned me a basement room where my phone couldn’t get any signal. That was only a minor discomfort. What really bothered me was the idea of being in the basement. I am slightly claustrophobic, that’s why. I thought of another plan. I decided to stay for the night so that I can have a place to leave my things while I spent a good portion of the morning looking for other places around the area where I could be more comfortable. Luckily, I found a hostel which offered a better accommodation and it was just about a 5-minute walk from SM City Bagiuo.

In the afternoon, I just did some touristy stuff---went around the city by foot, rode the jeepney to get to several famous landmarks and tourist spots, ate a cob of sweet corn and strawberry taho while strolling around, and sat in several places and did one of my most favorite activities when I have nothing else to do: people watching. ;)

DAY 2

..and my bookworm heart momentarily forgot how to do its lub-dubs when I saw this local bookstore---I could’ve died right there and then, and the books(!)---the books are such rare finds!

When I went up in the second level, a kid was lying cozily on a corner bean bag and I instinctively smiled at her. She then shyly went to me while I was scanning a poetry book and asked me, “What are you doing?”. I have been teaching for several years and yet I am still surprised, every time, at how kids are so good in identifying gullible adults (Like me, hahaha!) who will accommodate their never-ending questions.

So, when I replied, “I’m scanning some poetry books. What about you, do you like to read?”, that was the start of her spontaneous chatter and of going back to me to ask, “What’s this?”, everytime she could not recognize an illustration in the book that she was holding. Lorraine, my new-found, smart 6-year old friend, validated my long-formulated hunch that some of the best people are encountered in a bookstore. *wink*

---fb post, 19 April ‘14

Travel.
As much as you can.
As far as you can.
As long as you can.
Life is not meant to be lived in one place.

DAY 3

I spent a good portion of the day in church---had my Visita Iglesia and listened to the mass.

Right after, I walked to Burnham Park and enjoyed basking in the afternoon sun which was in good contrast with the comfortable chill of Bagiuo.

The reason why I love the sidewalks and the streets is that they never get boring. One can always find interesting things and stories and people in the midst of their hustle and bustle---you just need to pay more attention.

I am not a fan of vandalism but this one, which is actually a love proclamation, made this ugly, dilapidated wreck of a building less of an eye sore in one the busy streets that I passed by today. It actually made me smile in amusement.

It made me think: What’s the back story to this?

-fb post, 20 April ‘14