A print on a shirt says, "I truly hope your life's as awesome as your facebook posts say." Amusing. But more than that, it got me thinking.
Of course, I understood it as sarcasm, a bitter remark from somebody who has seen "awesome" posts of another on facebook, but does not believe it's half the truth of that other person's life. It could also be a well-meaning wish, but that would be a weak conjecture considering that it is printed on a shirt, and it just has to be funny, at least attention-getting. It cannot mean what it says. Even if it does, it would still sanction disbelief, otherwise, "hope" should be replaced with "believe" or just remove the first four words altogether.
Finding Joy
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| It may sometimes seem as if it is always about pushing a rock to the peak on days end... |
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| ...but even a blade of grass can turn to joy if you only know how to look. |
Hike to Tarak Ridge: A Lesson on Taking Breaks and Breaths
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| Nanay Cording |
The trek to Tarak Ridge was not easy (see travel notes below), especially for the unprepared. What helped me were the preparation I had had a week before when I went on a hike to both Pico de Loro and Mt. Talamitam on the same day and Nanay Cording's words of wisdom. A couple of times, I did feel like my head was going to burst, but I would compose myself, pause, look back and take a deep breath.
Elevator Conversations
That I am not able to speak at the top of my lungs in an elevator full of people is a little frustrating.
It's just not normal.
Almost every day, I leave the office at 11 o' clock. I tap the magnetic door control with my ID after I log out through the biometrics (I am not required to do this, but well, if I am not disallowed to do it either, then why not? It makes my day more complete), then step out of the office to take a scenic elevator to the ground floor. This time, there would already be a long line of people waiting.
Up to the last of the routine I just mentioned, everything would be something you would probably call non-out-of-the-ordinary.
Things become a little weirder when I fall in line. Yes, it starts there. Everyone except me, seems to be screaming at each other. At first, you would think they are squabbling over some lunchbox that went missing, but then you would notice that's not it. They couldn't be fighting and smiling and giggling at the same time. So, perhaps, they are all deaf. But then, reason would tell you this is something improbable, unless of course, you have the improbability drive that Douglas Adams invented.
Why?
Let's see. First, you have a long line of people who happen to be all deaf waiting for their turn at the elevator, and you waiting with them. This is in a building that houses BPO offices, which would need people who are able to hear and understand someone over the phone. Second, you will need to multiply this phenomenon by the number of days that you would take the elevator. You would never consider this something probable.
The only thing that I could use to explain this is that I had missed a lot of days at school! Oh, and there is another one, I am not really as normal as I thought I was!
Well, to fit in, I tried doing this (yelling inside the elevator) once with a friend. I went, "HEEYY!" That was also the time I figured I needed training on this fast. It sounded like a croak more than a greeting.
For these people, the normal ones, the yelling is something natural. They do it effortlessly, like the other person, who is actually standing beside them, is some 1 kilometer away. Once, I heard one say, "NOOOO! I THIIINK! YOU DOOOON'T HAVE THE RAAAAIIIGHT INFORMATIONSSS!" The other replies, "MAYYBEE. I DOOON'T KNOOOWW STUFFSSS LAAAIIIKE THAAAAT EEHH."
I have been doing this routine for about 500 days now, since I got transferred back here in Eastwood, and I am amazed at how they efficiently manage to keep their voices. I would have a sore throat after a minute of talking like that. I also tried glancing at their ears to see if they are bleeding there, but they all seem ok. I have been smart with my own ears, though. I always put my earphones on and listen to music I skillfully arranged on my phone, with a volume that's just enough to eavesdrop without breaking my eardrums. At least I have learned a skill, being not-so-normal.
In envy, sometimes, I think of ways to evade them, or to learn automotive, so I could sneak into where the cables of the elevator are, and fix them in such a way that it would get stuck trapping them inside. I would only let them out when they have lost their voices for good.
Or to be less violent, I should just find a trainer.
Where's my to do list...
It's just not normal.
Almost every day, I leave the office at 11 o' clock. I tap the magnetic door control with my ID after I log out through the biometrics (I am not required to do this, but well, if I am not disallowed to do it either, then why not? It makes my day more complete), then step out of the office to take a scenic elevator to the ground floor. This time, there would already be a long line of people waiting.
Up to the last of the routine I just mentioned, everything would be something you would probably call non-out-of-the-ordinary.
Things become a little weirder when I fall in line. Yes, it starts there. Everyone except me, seems to be screaming at each other. At first, you would think they are squabbling over some lunchbox that went missing, but then you would notice that's not it. They couldn't be fighting and smiling and giggling at the same time. So, perhaps, they are all deaf. But then, reason would tell you this is something improbable, unless of course, you have the improbability drive that Douglas Adams invented.
Why?
Let's see. First, you have a long line of people who happen to be all deaf waiting for their turn at the elevator, and you waiting with them. This is in a building that houses BPO offices, which would need people who are able to hear and understand someone over the phone. Second, you will need to multiply this phenomenon by the number of days that you would take the elevator. You would never consider this something probable.
The only thing that I could use to explain this is that I had missed a lot of days at school! Oh, and there is another one, I am not really as normal as I thought I was!
Well, to fit in, I tried doing this (yelling inside the elevator) once with a friend. I went, "HEEYY!" That was also the time I figured I needed training on this fast. It sounded like a croak more than a greeting.
For these people, the normal ones, the yelling is something natural. They do it effortlessly, like the other person, who is actually standing beside them, is some 1 kilometer away. Once, I heard one say, "NOOOO! I THIIINK! YOU DOOOON'T HAVE THE RAAAAIIIGHT INFORMATIONSSS!" The other replies, "MAYYBEE. I DOOON'T KNOOOWW STUFFSSS LAAAIIIKE THAAAAT EEHH."
I have been doing this routine for about 500 days now, since I got transferred back here in Eastwood, and I am amazed at how they efficiently manage to keep their voices. I would have a sore throat after a minute of talking like that. I also tried glancing at their ears to see if they are bleeding there, but they all seem ok. I have been smart with my own ears, though. I always put my earphones on and listen to music I skillfully arranged on my phone, with a volume that's just enough to eavesdrop without breaking my eardrums. At least I have learned a skill, being not-so-normal.
In envy, sometimes, I think of ways to evade them, or to learn automotive, so I could sneak into where the cables of the elevator are, and fix them in such a way that it would get stuck trapping them inside. I would only let them out when they have lost their voices for good.
Or to be less violent, I should just find a trainer.
Where's my to do list...
Coming Home
It takes thirteen steps
up to my place in the sky
where a balcony houses a vase
that is out of place just across
from a guitar that is out of tune.
I get home and sit at the balcony past the thirteen steps,
to take off my shoes and wonder what music to put on.
It's noisy that is shallow she is bitter classical
is too heavy I need a shower it's dusty here
did i send all the reportsand...where
did i read hurry up now
it's time
I reach for the knob inside
through the window. The door
clicks open and still what music to put on?
I get in, close the door, open the lights.
The piano is soothing but
that is what I listened to yesterday and
the other day I am full did I have breakfast
I need to take some stress tabs the floor is
dusty
It takes thirteen steps
up to my place in the sky.
I mind only them on my way up and
that store across the street.
What music to put on is the door locked-
they are as fleeting as when I strum
the guitar that is
out of tune.
up to my place in the sky
where a balcony houses a vase
that is out of place just across
from a guitar that is out of tune.
I get home and sit at the balcony past the thirteen steps,
to take off my shoes and wonder what music to put on.
It's noisy that is shallow she is bitter classical
is too heavy I need a shower it's dusty here
did i send all the reportsand...where
did i read hurry up now
it's time
I reach for the knob inside
through the window. The door
clicks open and still what music to put on?
I get in, close the door, open the lights.
The piano is soothing but
that is what I listened to yesterday and
the other day I am full did I have breakfast
I need to take some stress tabs the floor is
dusty
It takes thirteen steps
up to my place in the sky.
I mind only them on my way up and
that store across the street.
What music to put on is the door locked-
they are as fleeting as when I strum
the guitar that is
out of tune.
Pico de Loro - Mt. Talamitam
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| On the way down to Nasugbu |
And we failed.
Like wet fledgling attempting flight for the first time, we failed. But this is probably one failure I will always look back on with pride.
To Pico de Loro
At 12 midnight, we left for Ternate, Cavite to get to Pico de Loro's jump off point early (see travel notes below). With three mountains in our list for the day, we could not waste time. After napping for an hour and a half (I didn't, though, as I was busy tinkering with my headlamp, and chatting with the DENR officer. I also found out, thanks to Rosie, that my TNF bag has a whistle!), we started our climb. The way we trekked truly brushed off any thoughts of sleep, as we only took two to three breaks on the way up. We were determined to get to the peak before sunrise and start the traverse as early as we could. Sadly, the sun rose earlier than we hoped, so we had breakfast and coffee when we got to the campsite, instead.
The peak was just 15 minutes away, so we went for it. This was no walk in the park. Getting to Pico's peak is like going up the stairs to your office on the 20th floor, maybe more challenging. But the view is spectacular! Even for the second time, I was still in awe.
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| Our breakfast: Goto |
I should have asked more about where exactly in Nasugbu we were going, so the group could have saved one and a half hours of useless trek through an almost impossible trail. But this was fun. It felt like real adventure getting through thick bushes, cutting through branches of fallen trees.
We gave up.
We headed back to the campsite. Pretending like we had just gone looking around (it was embarrassing to say we got lost after we told the guide we could find the way on our own), we told the guide we were finally hiring him to lead the way down to Nasugbu. To my surprise, he took the trail I had gone through 8 years ago. And boy, was it a clear trail down! We could have made it ourselves!
My lesson? Mind where you're going. Simple.
Cut the long and painful story short, we got to Nasugbu 2 hours later, took a tricycle to the Nasugbu town proper, then had lunch. We were already hesitating whether to still go for the next climb. I guess our lunch gave us happy energy,and decided to go for the next mountain on the list.
Travel Notes
Bus Terminal: Coastal Mall
Fare: Php 81
Travel Time (to Ternate): 1.5 hours (12am; there is a bus every hour)
- Get off at Ternate municipal hall (tell the conductor you are going to Pico de Loro).
- At the municipal hall, there are tricycles you can take to DENR (jump off)
Tricycle fare: Php 225 (we took two tricycles, so we haggled for Php 200)
Registration (DENR): Php 25
Registration (at the house on the way up): Php 25
Trek up: 2 hours
- There is a store at the campsite where you can buy water, food and some supplies (a bit pricey, though, since the goods are delivered from Nasugbu- a very difficult trail)
Trek down: 2 hours (to Nasugbu)
Guide fee: Php 500 (from the campsite) Php 1500 (from DENR)
- There really is no need for a guide since the trail is not difficult to find, but if you are not confident, you can always hire one.
- There are tricycles once you get to the driving range in Nasugbu.
- According to the tricycle drivers there, they would be the only mode of transportation allowed there. If you arrange for a jeepney or a van to wait for you there, the vehicle will not be allowed to park anywhere.
Tricycle fare (to the town proper): Php 500
Travel time: 30 mins
Fare: Php 81
Travel Time (to Ternate): 1.5 hours (12am; there is a bus every hour)- Get off at Ternate municipal hall (tell the conductor you are going to Pico de Loro).
- At the municipal hall, there are tricycles you can take to DENR (jump off)
Tricycle fare: Php 225 (we took two tricycles, so we haggled for Php 200)
Registration (DENR): Php 25
Registration (at the house on the way up): Php 25
Trek up: 2 hours
- There is a store at the campsite where you can buy water, food and some supplies (a bit pricey, though, since the goods are delivered from Nasugbu- a very difficult trail)
Trek down: 2 hours (to Nasugbu)
Guide fee: Php 500 (from the campsite) Php 1500 (from DENR)
- There really is no need for a guide since the trail is not difficult to find, but if you are not confident, you can always hire one.
- There are tricycles once you get to the driving range in Nasugbu.
- According to the tricycle drivers there, they would be the only mode of transportation allowed there. If you arrange for a jeepney or a van to wait for you there, the vehicle will not be allowed to park anywhere.
Tricycle fare (to the town proper): Php 500
Travel time: 30 mins
To Talamitam
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| View from Mt. Talamitam. I believe that's Mt. Batulao. |
And with him was the rain.
It was not a surprise that we would be trekking wet. First, who could trek and remain dry? Second, it's the wet season, so even if it is not raining, it will. My bag's been water-proofed, and my outfit's just ready.
What was not ready was my feet. They are tired of the hike, yes, but that's expected. What I did not expect, which is stupid, was the blisters. I am not comfortable wearing trekking shoes, so I wear sandals when I hike. I could not remember getting blisters during my other treks before, so I thought I would never have them.
Lesson? Learn to wear shoes.
At this time, I was already worried, as we were just on our second mountain, and my toes were beginning to spell disaster. Of course, I brought my first-aid kit, but the band-aid would not do sh-t as I would soon learn.
Talamitam is considered a fun climb. It's a mountain that beginners should try out first (arguably so). It took us 2 hours to get to the peak, and that's pretty fast, relative to another group that went ahead of us. They took as long as the time we spent up and back down. Kidding. But they were slow. And wobbly.
I thought that without the rain, that hike would have killed us or worse, our dreams of ever reaching the mountain peak. Talamitam is all grassy and...grassy. With the sun high up in the sky, you would probably swear off climbing mountains for a long time. The farmers have cut all trees for their vegetables and crops. But the hike up is easy if not for the slippery trail, the most slippery being the paved way near the jump off (very mossy concrete). All of us were told to stay in the middle, but a girl got courageous, and took the leftmost part, so off she fell bum-first.
We were lucky it was raining, indeed. Luckier, since when we got to the peak, the rain let up, offering us a magnificent view of Mt. Batulao- our last mountain for the day.
We rested for a bit at the saddle, where I nursed my blisters and covered them with band-aids. It was here when we decided that yes, we could still make it to Batulao, but with the following consequences:
1. We would be trekking with hatred. Hatred for going for it, for each other, for the mountain, and for ever deciding on this weekend craziness.
2. We would miss the last bus trip back to Manila and hire a jeepney that will cost as much as a brand new pair of trekking pants.
3. With the strap of my sandals constantly brushing my blisters, I would not only be singing happy melodies like a mad dog, but will leave the mountain with my toes' flesh all gone.
So, we thought for a while.
We came to a logical conclusion that maybe, it was not a good idea to go for it.
After enjoying the view at the peak and a little more rest at the saddle, We started our climb down with renewed energy, now that Batulao was off the list. It only
took us about 1.5 hours down, but not without difficulty. We trekked through the mist, then in the dark, with a little bit of rain. The trail was so muddy a lot of the mud would get between my foot and my sandals and some into my blisters. The band-aids were taken off. The pain was terrible, but I was more busy minding my balance. In the middle of the trek, I laughed like crazy, since the pain was too much. My sandals were slipping off my foot in a fashion that I can only imagine (since it was dark) is like wearing them as anklets. It was that painful.
But even difficulties end.
We finally got back to our guide's home, where we had dinner and a quick wash. Chicken soup is good after a wet hike, that's for sure.
We still could have made it to Batulao, but we knew that we were deciding for the best not to. It is necessary to know how failure sometimes needs to be decided on to be victorious. This was not about winning, but I did feel like we won.
I am glad that the people I was doing this memorable trek with were smart besides having endurance like that of a camel and speed of a horse.
Bus fare: Php 31
Travel Time: 40 mins
Guide fee: (no set price) Php 375
- Before the trip, we asked the guide to cook dinner for us. Food, and 1.5 liters of soda, and use of their bathroom cost us Php 625, so we gave them Php 1000 including guide fee.
Trek up: 2 hours
Trek down: 2 hours
- The trek could be longer depending on your pace. If you could avoid the sun, do so. This mountain does not have trees to shield you from the heat of the sun, so it is a good idea to trek really early or at night.
- Buses to Manila are only till 8pm.
Bus fare: Php 124
Travel time: 3 hours (depending on traffic)
What was not ready was my feet. They are tired of the hike, yes, but that's expected. What I did not expect, which is stupid, was the blisters. I am not comfortable wearing trekking shoes, so I wear sandals when I hike. I could not remember getting blisters during my other treks before, so I thought I would never have them.
Lesson? Learn to wear shoes.
At this time, I was already worried, as we were just on our second mountain, and my toes were beginning to spell disaster. Of course, I brought my first-aid kit, but the band-aid would not do sh-t as I would soon learn.
Talamitam is considered a fun climb. It's a mountain that beginners should try out first (arguably so). It took us 2 hours to get to the peak, and that's pretty fast, relative to another group that went ahead of us. They took as long as the time we spent up and back down. Kidding. But they were slow. And wobbly.
I thought that without the rain, that hike would have killed us or worse, our dreams of ever reaching the mountain peak. Talamitam is all grassy and...grassy. With the sun high up in the sky, you would probably swear off climbing mountains for a long time. The farmers have cut all trees for their vegetables and crops. But the hike up is easy if not for the slippery trail, the most slippery being the paved way near the jump off (very mossy concrete). All of us were told to stay in the middle, but a girl got courageous, and took the leftmost part, so off she fell bum-first.
We were lucky it was raining, indeed. Luckier, since when we got to the peak, the rain let up, offering us a magnificent view of Mt. Batulao- our last mountain for the day.
We rested for a bit at the saddle, where I nursed my blisters and covered them with band-aids. It was here when we decided that yes, we could still make it to Batulao, but with the following consequences:
1. We would be trekking with hatred. Hatred for going for it, for each other, for the mountain, and for ever deciding on this weekend craziness.
2. We would miss the last bus trip back to Manila and hire a jeepney that will cost as much as a brand new pair of trekking pants.
3. With the strap of my sandals constantly brushing my blisters, I would not only be singing happy melodies like a mad dog, but will leave the mountain with my toes' flesh all gone.
So, we thought for a while.
We came to a logical conclusion that maybe, it was not a good idea to go for it.
After enjoying the view at the peak and a little more rest at the saddle, We started our climb down with renewed energy, now that Batulao was off the list. It only
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| Trekking in the mist |
But even difficulties end.
We finally got back to our guide's home, where we had dinner and a quick wash. Chicken soup is good after a wet hike, that's for sure.
We still could have made it to Batulao, but we knew that we were deciding for the best not to. It is necessary to know how failure sometimes needs to be decided on to be victorious. This was not about winning, but I did feel like we won.
I am glad that the people I was doing this memorable trek with were smart besides having endurance like that of a camel and speed of a horse.
Travel Notes
From NasugbuBus fare: Php 31
Travel Time: 40 mins
Guide fee: (no set price) Php 375
- Before the trip, we asked the guide to cook dinner for us. Food, and 1.5 liters of soda, and use of their bathroom cost us Php 625, so we gave them Php 1000 including guide fee.
Trek up: 2 hours
Trek down: 2 hours
- The trek could be longer depending on your pace. If you could avoid the sun, do so. This mountain does not have trees to shield you from the heat of the sun, so it is a good idea to trek really early or at night.- Buses to Manila are only till 8pm.
Bus fare: Php 124
Travel time: 3 hours (depending on traffic)
Gallery
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Blood Moon
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A beauty that flits is made more beautiful when it is born out of a shadow.
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| This was taken during the lunar eclipse on October 8, 2014, |
Familiar
It is a joy to discover something new about something thought of as familiar. It almost makes traveling cliche. I was going around my neighborhood, and I was very surprised to see several photographic opportunities. This being one of them.
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