As I start to write this blog post, I am already seated inside a bus going north. To the city of Baguio. Finally. After all, this is it, my first time.
A lot of people were telling me to not go because we have a storm that’s what they say. And yeah that’s true, we are experiencing heavy rainfall since last night. But I am already here, inside the bus driving along NLEX. I am going to Baguio. I have met hell lot of storms in my life and I realize that perhaps, I am not afraid of them anymore. It’s so hard to believe in something, to hope for something, and get disappointed, right? But I got to be brave and strong, thinking that whatever happens, I will go. I will always go. Because how will I know if I will not give it a try? I’d rather take the risk than regret in the end that I did not try.
So after 6 hours of travel time, I knew I’m already in Baguio when the temperature outside was colder than the temperature inside the bus. There were only 3 of us because 3 friends backed out, and the reason? The weather, ladies and gentlemen. Walking in Baguio for the first time was surprisingly fantastic. Streets were dry but the sky looked like it was about to cry. After a short while, we found a very nice and simple transient house along Marcos Highway.
We just got back from SM Baguio.
We took a rest right after we checked in and went to buy groceries for the next coming days. The weather is still rainy. We’re about to drink at our place and try to go to drink somewhere else and check out Baguio’s night market.
Failed.
All closed. We were late. So we went back to the transient house and try to look for a massage but there was no spa found nearby so we asked the person in the front office and she offered some home service massage but it was too pricey so we declined the hell out of it. So yeah, whoever started the concept of putting convenience stores must be praised. Me and my friend, since we were still thirsty for alcohol, walked for about 50 steps away and bought ourselves some sangria. It was nice though. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed drinking while watching a movie. Probably because I don’t do it quite often. But it was fun! The movie that we watched was pretty silly but it was nice.
The next morning my friends and I went to visit my friend Sheila at her own café.
Swear you guys, whenever you’re in cold weathered Baguio, you might as well want to treat yourselves good coffee at Manpiyaan Café. Just opened last December 2015, they are serving full charged passions with coffee imported from Italy. Manpiyaan is a Kalinga word meaning “for the good” and yes, of course, coffee is always good. Caffeine lovers will surely enjoy the espresso at this chillax café simply because coffee genuinely makes us happier people! Manpiyaan Café is approximately 15 minutes away from the town proper. For more info about the address of the café, click here for their Facebook Page.
We spent the rest of the day touring the city and going to parks. Don’t you just love parks? Yup. Because it requires walking and talking and laughing and just being happy. And these parks in Baguio still continue to give nostalgic feels to a lot of my friends from Manila. I’m confident I can tell that. Reminding them of their childhood about horseback-riding at Burnham Park, the strawberry taho, the photographs at Mines View Park, and many more. But not me. I didn’t grow up going to Baguio for summer vacations. Actually, my whole childhood was a non-stop vacation. Nostalgia hits me straight to the bones when I think of the beach back in Antique. That wide stretch of gray sand beach in the afternoon with the most beautiful sunset I could ever imagine. And I am so thankful to have that privilege to watch it for free. I grew up near the ocean before my mom and dad decided to settle in Manila if you care to know about my childhood.
This town is pretty much 80% of what I expected it to be. I’m glad that I went anyway. And this trip reminds me of the reasons why I need to continue what I’m doing at the moment, and why do I need to chase the things that I dreamed before I start this journey. You know, traveling for the hell of it. Why? Because I can. And I want. And it shakes things up and at the same time, it gives me cool stories.
Let’s be real here. No one’s going to follow the road for me. Everyone I know has their own dreams and their own goals. And last night, I made a promise to myself that I will start following those roads that I have been dreaming to take. Because I’ve been around people who told me that my dreams weren’t possible, and I will use all those bringing downs as fuel to my fire.
Even better than making my friends and family proud, I want to be proud of myself. I want my confidence to arise, and to have that happiness and the excitement that comes with doing something I’ve always wanted to do. Life without dreams is depressing. That’s what this city reminded me of.
And now, sitting inside the bus bound to Manila, looking through the window, the view outside is foggy as hell. I can feel the cold air just by looking at it. It’s still raining. Can’t wait to get home. And there it is, Baguio City, saying bye to me. As if the pine trees are saying “why so fast, a young boy?” well, I wasn’t able to do what I wanted to do in Baguio because of the monsoon. And that is one of the many reasons why I need to go back. I might be already a different person the next time that I will drive to Baguio, but one thing’s for sure: the next time I’m here, I’ll do it all right.
Soon.
Signed with love,
Marron
Comments
nice 😉 thanks for sharing 🙂 i miss baguio… been there quite long ago 🙂
Author
I bet Baguio is missing you too. Thank you! 🙂
One day when i return to back Philippines i will go visit Baguio again. A lot of things have changed around Baguio, but the beauty is still there 🙂
Author
And I will wait when you blog about Baguio. Safe travels!
thanks marron 😉
Wow ! Now that was a story! It is nice and your story reminded me of a film from Dany Boon and Diane Kruger named … “The next Please” or Originally in French called “Un plan Parfait ” https://youtu.be/8QLtEvEb97A Great work Marron! Thank you for looking in to my blog!
Author
Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment, Luigi! I watched the trailer of “Un Plan Parfait” and it looked exciting. I hope you’re enjoying your time!
Actually I’m off to work! 😉 night shift!
Author
That’s awesome! I just got home from work. Almost night shift! It’s 3 in the morning at where I’m from. You enjoy, alright? 🙂
It’s a pleasure to have shared moments of my being another good soul .
Only difference? A lot … your story was lived and “REAL” … 😉
Author
I was thinking if you could follow back my blog so we could read each other’s writings and get in touch?
Definitely!
This is awesome! This made me want to go back there in Baguio. I should also starting to draft my Baguio travel experience.
Author
Start to write about it tonight! Can’t wait to read it 🙂
You know how it looks like when everyone is falling in line when you pay your electric and water bills? I travelled a lot and I don’t have leisure time to blog them all, I wish I could. Anyway, I’ll try to start drafting my Baguio trip. Thank you so much.
Author
I write while I’m on the road, little by little. While on a 6 hour bus drive or before going to sleep in a hostel. So please do! 🙂
I wish I could, I’m also working while on the road.
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That looks like a fine cafe. I have never been to Baguio so it is another place put on my list if I am ever allowed out of my home again!
Author
You should visit! It’s owned by a friend. Hope you’re treating yourself well while we’re on quarantine 🙂
I’d love to visit the cafe, I’d love to come back to the Philippines. To be honest I’d like to go anywhere just now. We are under virtual house arrest here. I am indeed treating myself well as I live alone and there is nobody else to do it for me!
Author
Oh come back! Baguio is a laid back city in the uplands of the northern Philippines. Where do you live?
London.
I was in Metro Manila (and one brilliant day on Corregidor, which I loved) but mostly in the Visayas, specifically Dumaguete on Negros where I spent a few months but I did also go to Siquijor, Bacolod, Apo for a day-trip and Boracay.
Author
Oh wow. When I was still living in Dubai earlier this year, I was figuratively planning to go to London this year to visit a mate but some things changed the whole situation. And wow don’t you just love the Visayas region?
I do indeed. I am sure other parts of the Phils are equally gorgeous and welcoming but I just could not drag myself away from the Visayas.
I have great memories of my trip to Baguio. Baguio is an odd place: it has this nice urban planning in the area surrounding Burnham Park but the Pinoy mentality has ruined the outskirts of the city that look pretty much like Quiapo
Author
When going to La Union, I love going to Baguio for another day or two right before I go back to Manila And I agree with the Quiapo thing… Anyway, I’m now commenting on this from a brand new #marronisgoing. Haha!