I left Gapan City fifteen minutes before five (5) in the afternoon. Based on my research, my next destination, Angeles City in Pampanga, is about 2 hours away. I rode a bus and was eager to reach Angeles before the day ends as I only got a room via Airbnb and it was my first time sharing the house with the host's family and other guests. I don't know what to expect.
The bus ride was long and lacked vigor. I've been on the road for more than a week and at that moment, all I could do was wish I don't get lost or I might end up spending the night on a terminal or a random corner. I alighted in a street near the center of Arayat and was told to walk a few meters more to reach the jeepney terminal that will take me from Arayat to Angeles City via Magalang. It was the last trip, lucky me!
I'd jokingly tell Ma "Kung masaag ko, okay raman. Naa raman gihapon ko's Pilipinas!" (No need to worry if I get lost, I'm still in the Philippines!) but that early evening, I was scared as the driver told us he got flat tires and we should get off the jeepney and transfer to another one. It was difficult to find a jeepney that will take me directly to Angeles City. So as strangers advised I took not just one but two jeepney rides, from Arayat to Magalang and Magalang to Angeles.
It was already late when I arrived in the room I rented and despised how the travel went. But it ain't that bad as I surprisingly found what I'd dreamed of seeing a long time ago. I'm a huge fan of this local artist named Bella Padilla. And one of her movies was shoot at Mt. Arayat. Arayat has always been famous because fables about the mountain were told in grade school. I was caught off guard when the vehicle I'm riding passed by this gigantic mountain and sooner I recognized the shape of Arayat's unique peak. "It's you! It's Arayat!" I screamed inside my head. She's beautifully and peacefully resting. Dazzling with mystery, I stared at her with disbelief. I struggled throughout the day's travel but coming face to face with Mt. Arayat was worth it. I finally came to my senses and managed to take photos while the bus kept moving. To this day, I'm still amazed how I accidentally came across Mt. Arayat. One day, I'll climb her.
Have you been lost and found interesting things along the way?