What brings you real joy?
Money? Fame? Food? Travel? Games? Nature? Relationships? Love? There are plenty of options.
I don't know about you, but as much as I enjoy and appreciate a life of sophistication, the little details are usually the ones that attract me.
And this couldn't be more true whenever I'm on the road (sea or air), traveling to many destinations, discovering new sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and experiences. You see, my feet are always "itchy" - I mean they seem to be quite restless whenever adventures are concerned. I couldn't get enough of the environments around us as there's constantly something that sparks my relentless curiosity and sense of wonder.
One day while exploring the Philippine city of Davao, a humble street vendor caught my attention. She was a friendly and approachable girl, but what lured me to her was what she was selling.
"Ice cream!" I screamed.
"This will be the perfect recipe to cool down during a scorching sunny day," I told her in the Bisaya dialect.
Also traditionally named "Sorbetes", this Filipino all-time favorite is an affordable refreshment for people of all ages. A much-loved street snack, it's jokingly nicknamed "Dirty Ice Cream" because of its exposure to polluted roads.
On the contrary, these heart-warming treats are safe to eat and are typically sold in 2-wheeled carts scattered in crowded neighborhoods. Once you hear the familiar tinkling sound of a bell, it's a sign that they're close by.
I could have visited dedicated ice cream parlors, shops, and kiosks inside malls or other places, yet nothing compares savoring these yummy scoops of heaven outdoors, where you also get to observe the surrounding city life.
Available in common flavors such as mango, ube, avocado, chocolate, vanilla, this time however the choices were different because of my current location.
Did you know that Davao City is also renowned as the "Durian Capital of the Philippines"? Hailed as the king of fruits, these thorny creations of nature are so abundant here that they have creatively evolved as the main ingredient for other dessert varieties: candies, shakes, pies, jam, you name it!
So why would I buy the classic delicacies if they can be bought elsewhere in the country, right?
Of course, I ordered the Durian ice cream! lol 😁
This famous fruit doesn't impress everyone due to its distinctively pungent odor often similar to spoiled spices, rotten eggs, or darkened wastewater. It's still bearable though, at least for me, it is. My advice? Just ignore the smell - its creamy taste will blow your mind!
Have you seen an actual Durian fruit? Take a look.
What's my point in sharing this short anecdote?
In a world where we are constantly bombarded with product commercials that promise authentic delightfulness if we purchase them, it's fairly easy to be misled if we're not careful.
Some of these tempting offers are ridiculously expensive, compelling us to maintain a lifestyle that's artificial, pretentious, and impossible to attain. But, why should you pursue this fake image if it's beyond your means? Is this how you define contentment?
I'd rather settle for wholesome activities that truly promote mental health, boost emotional well-being, plus rekindle the spirit. Without a doubt, I was absolutely full of smiles, simply joyful - thanks to my memorable encounter with this charming ice cream seller.
A toast to genuine happiness!
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