Hello, fellow hivers! I can't believe it has been mooooonths since I last opened this blog. It honestly didn't feel that long. Time does fly swiftly without us noticing.
I just wanted to share with you probably the craziest, most tiring, most sleep-deprived, yet one of the most memorable out-of-town experiences I've ever had! It happened last July.
I went on a day trip to Baguio (from Metro Manila)!! Haha
The main reason why I visited Baguio was to handpick some local yarns that I would use for a big project collaboration with Katha Pilipinas for Artefino Festival 2023. (I will share more about that experience in a different blog post.)
I rode on an 11PM bus going to Baguio and arrived there a little past 4AM. It was earlier than I expected and I didn't know where to go that early. 🤣😅 So I looked for a place to stay at while waiting for the sky to get a pinch of the morning sun. Good thing, there was a fastfood chain right outside the bus station, so I decided to have breakfast first-- hot choco, pancakes, tuna pie. Yuuum!
At 5 AM, I rode a taxi going to Burnham Park. One of my goals for this short trip was really to walk around Burnham Park early in the morning. It was still a bit dark when I arrived there, but ohgosh. I felt so happy while walking around.
The cold breeze; the almost empty streets; the calming silence; seeing stangers working out... it was perfect. I continued strolling, taking my time to breathe in the beautiful morning.
Eventually, booths/stalls started opening up and more people started to arrive. While walking, I was offered by a Kuya to rent a bike. Well, it wasn't two-wheeled, so not really a "bike"? Hahaha Anyway, I did rent it and just went back and forth for around 30mins.
When my time was up, I bought regular-flavored taho and claimed a spot in one of the picnic tables in the park. There, I read The Girl with a Broken String by Therese Villarante while drinking my taho.
I think it was around 7AM when I decided to walk to Hangar Market to buy the yarns that I needed. But apparently, I was too early, as most stalls were still closed. So I left and headed to the chruch and then to Read and Brew Cafe.
It was at this point when I felt the most sleepy. I tried to fight it by eating, drinking, reading, and browsing through Instagram. At some point, I got tempted to actually take a nap there. HAHA. Then I remembered my colleague, who offered me to stay at their house in Baguio if ever I would need a place to rest. I initially declined the offer because only the caretaker was there, and I felt shy. But man! My tired body just brushed it off in the end. Luckily, her offer was still valid by then!
Before heading to the house, I went to Bookends first with the intention of just browsing through their books. But there were a lot of good titles in such a low price! So I left the store with 3 children's books. hehe 🤣 Then off I went to Hangar Market again. This time, I was able to buy yarns already. There were so many beautiful colors, that I had to consciously remind myself to focus on the colors I actually need for the project. Haha. I am so happy that Ate seller was kind and nice. It made the yarn-shopping experience even better!
On my way to the main rode, I passed by a store that sells coffee beans and grounds! Sooo of course, I had to buy myself some Arabica grounds!
When I got all I wanted and needed, I carried my kinda heavy ecobag towards the main road. I looked for a taxi that could bring me to my colleague's house, but since I wasn't a local, I didn't know the area where taxis could actually stop. I had to walk back and forth until I saw a bunch of people on queue. When I asked what the line was for, I was informed that it was for the taxis. Wooh! At last!
The weather was kind of gloomy then; more people lined up; but only a few taxis arrived. Good thing, after several minutes of waiting, it was finally my turn! I arrived in my colleague's house much later than expected, so I only got to stay there around an hour. Insted of taking a nap, I just tried watching an episode of the series I was watching. I also had a quick video call with my student and my classroom partner.
It was around 4PM when I left the house and headed to the bus terminal to catch my 5PM schedule back to Metro Manila. When the bus started moving, I positioned myself to sleep right away. And guess what? In the middle of my nap/sleep, I suddenly woke up and when I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the most beautiful sunset I have evert witnessed! It seemed like someone intentionally woke me up so I wouldn't miss that sight. I was literally smiling widely!
I tried capturing that moment but my phone's camera just wouldn't give justice to its beauty, so I decided to keep it and just appreciate the sunset with my own eyes, taking in what I can. This was indeed the highlight of my crazy adventure! What a wonderful way to end it, right?
While writing this, I realized something. Apparently, most of the things I absolutely love were with me this day-- quiet walk in the park, trees, books, taho, yarns, and coffee. Plus, I got to experience Baguio in various kinds of weather and time of the day!
I was there when it was still freezing at dawn.
I saw how the dark morning sky slowly changed into a cotton candy-like color... until the sun completely rose high up.
I was there when the cold breeze became overpowered by the sun's heat; or how it later was covered by heavy dark clouds. It drizzled... it poured... then it stopped.
And at the end of the day, Baguio bid goodbye to me with the most beautiful sunset I've witnessed in my life.
Words couldn't even explain the extreme happiness and deep gratefulness I feel for this day. Another core memory, indeed.
Stay sane and safe!
Let's spread happiness.
❤
