Part 2: Baguio City
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” - Lao Tzu
Date: 23 April 2014, Wednesday
Destination: Baguio City
It was 12:00 noon when we’ve decided to head to Baguio City. Travelling to Manaoag was a long plan but travelling to Baguio was another story. After the blessed visit to Manaoag we headed to the nearby van terminal bound for Baguio. Unfortunately there was no available van that time so we have decided to go back to Binalonan Crossing.
We rode a jeepney to Binalonan and again travelled for 20 - 25 minutes. When we reached Binalonan we waited for about 15 minutes for a bus to arrive. It was almost 12:45 when we were able to ride a bus to Baguio. After a couple of minutes we have reached a stop-over and stayed there for another 15 minutes.
I somehow felt the exhaustion after a long ride and felt the urge to sleep for a while. I was able to sleep comfortably because I was on the seat by the glass window. I was awakened by the drastic sound of the bus sound system. I wasn’t able to sleep again good thing the elderly woman beside me was nice and we have a little chit chat. She recommended places to visit and ask a lot of questions. It was a good thing because I didn’t felt the boredom and tiredness I was feeling when we have boarded the bus. My best friend was on the back because our seats were the only available seats when we rode the bus.
The altitude was changing so I guess it was normal to feel that sudden ache on my ears when we were travelling along the zigzag road. As we go higher the fog or the mist was very visible. The view was so remarkable, imagine me leaning on the glass window and murmur the word “Wow!” every time.
Around 3:00 in the afternoon when we reached Baguio City with a little time and unplanned trip. We have decided to go to Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto. It was my first time and both of us were not good in directions good thing asking around was pretty easy. In spite of the cold weather the warm welcome and smile of the people in Baguio was a very heart-warming experience.
After asking for the directions, we rode a taxi to the Lourdes Grotto. The taxi driver was very nice and humorous. I think it was just a 10 – 20 minutes ride from the bus terminal.
Lourdes Grotto is well-known for its 252 steps.
On the half of the trek I felt the sharp pain on my knee cap I felt so old experiencing such kind of pain. Hahaha! The rain was about to pour when we hiked the top. We offered prayer and give thanks for everything. The pain was part of the journey that’s why it was all worth it.
The rain started to pour so we decided to go back. Good thing we were on the taxi when the rain poured so hard. The situation brought us the idea of staying at the mall until the rain moderates.
We managed to buy sweet pasalubongs near Mines View stalls before heading to the mall. We bought Tshirts, bags, beanie caps, keychains, strawberries, Lengua de Gato cookies, Choco flakes and other sweet pasalubong.
We stroll around SM Baguio and bought something at a record/music store. After several walks we have decided to change our clothes. The feeling of “nanggigitata” after a long trip, several rides, walks and the feeling of “maiinitan sabay mauulanan”. Ayaw namin manakit ng mga ilong kaya kinailangan na namin magpalit." ^___^ v
Me and my best friend went to the mall comfort room and decided to change our clothes on one cubicle like we always do when we travel. It saves time and we do not have to worry of other people getting mad of waiting. After changing we went out the cubicle then suddenly one girl shouted “gross” followed by a lot of mumbling. I was like what-the-heck is the problem? Naiwan ko ba ang salamin ko para makita ang pagmumukha niya pagbukas namin ng pinto ng cubicle at magsisisigaw ng gross? Hay naku ang banal banal ng araw ko kaya hindi ko na lang pinatulan. Seriously? Ang dumi lang ng isip niya. Sa haba ng biyahe namin, pagod, nainitan, naulanan utang na labas nangigitata lang pakiramdam namin kaya nagpalit ng damit tapos ganoon? Ang dumi ng isip hindi ko alam kung kami ang dapat mahiya o siya. Ayos lang sana kung mag inarte nasa lugar kaso talo din naman. Nakakaasar talaga ang mga mapanghusga na tao. Sarap hambalusin ng kangkong for real. Mabait po akong tao. Promise. (Sorry nag-rant. Kalma lang ako niyan.)
TENNNEEEENNN! Bagong palit na! Kiber kay ate! Maganda ang sunset!
We ate dinner at the fast food chain along session road before we boarded a bus to Pasay at exactly 7:00 p.m. I will definitely go back to Baguio to enjoy every tourist destination and hopefully it will not be rainy when that time comes.
We were able to go home around 2:30 a.m. It was a blessed, fun, strenuous and memorable day for me and my best friend. I am looking forward for more travel and unplanned trip with you BFF. The feeling of being anonymous in a city we've never been to before will make our friendship last a lifetime.
Something I will never forget.
