My hometown is in the countryside. A place where progress is slow, facilities aren't complete, education and job opportunities are less compared to its neighboring towns and cities. Transportation is also difficult to access since there aren't a lot of passengers. Tricycles have only preferred hours for travel and buses aren't that a lot, especially at night.
The only mode of transportation that I can access everytime I travel back home is a Bus. I enjoy riding in it every time and I will always prefer to sit beside the window if there is vacant. I get to enjoy the sceneries along the way, especially if it's a long travel. Some will sleep, but I would never for I don't want to miss a view on the road.
I often get amused of the things I can see on the road, whether it is a church, a city hall, a park, ricefields, or sugarcane plantations. One of my favorite view when going home is this sea on our neighboring town.
This place is the viewing deck and port of Valladolid in Negros Occidental. I'll often pause my gaze on it and stare into the Island of Guimaras which is visible at the distance. Pump boats that are travelling from here to Guimaras have also a terminal in that port.
It looks near and I want to experience eating their Mangoes during their festival but I don't have any budget yet. Sad life. 馃ぇ
My most exciting experience while riding in a bus was when we travel to my best friend's hometown at Canlaon City where Mt. Canlaon lies. It would be my first time going out of Negros Occidental and going in Negros Oriental, so I never hesitate to accept my friends offer to come with them even though the place is a stranger to me.
It was a long travel of almost 3 hours on a bus. From Bacolod, the road is still fine but when we already reached Canlaon City, the road becomes dangerous. Going there, on left side is the slope of the high mountains and on the right side is a cliff so high that if there is an accident by chance, the bus will be crumpled when it reached the ground.
The road also has a lot of sharp turns that we have to hang on tight or else we would fall from our seats. There are also portions of the way that the bus will go up slowly and will suddenly go down, like you are riding a roller coaster.
My friend beside me was already feeling sick that she was about to vomit while I was so happy at her side and still wishing that the travel will be longer so that there will be more sharp turns and roller coaster rides. She just stared at me like I'm a weirdo and got amazed of my guts. She ended up eating all of our fruits and candies in the whole travel.
I was laughing and giggling from the amazing experience when we got off while my friend totally can't hold her upset stomach anymore, then vomitted on the side of the road. It was Christmas back then, so they decided to spend it at their hometown. While me, on the other hand just escaping my Aunt's orders, so I said that I would be spending Christmas at my hometown in Pontevedra.
I said that, but I went to Canlaon instead. The next day after Christmas, I went back to our hometown and my friend's father gave me a Lechon's head to bring to my family. That lechon's head served as my peace offering for my mother for not celebrating Christmas with her. Though I was scolded, I never regret it. Why would I, when I have an amazing experience?
This is my entry to Biyaheng Pinoy , as I narrated my experiences and enjoyment of riding in a bus.
