Work and Play in Japitan, Escalante

Even with starting late, we still left a baggage at the North Bus Terminal. And the baggage has a name. He's called Glen. That was not for lack of trying. He changed numbers. No wonder that I got no response even after sending multiple smses in a span of three hours. When he finally made himself felt, we were two towns away already from where he was.

It was my second time in Escalante. I was with Tatay and Nanay on a road trip to the north in search of cane points some twenty-five years ago the first time I went there. Then, we stopped for the olds to get coffee while I scoured the shops for some souvenirs. I got myself a photo of Romnick Sarmienta and Harlene Bautista. Oh, tell me about it!

After missing rafting at Tibiao, I finally had my fill of the exercise. It was awkward at first but once you catch up with the rhythm of paddling, everything else falls into place. The longest I've been with was an hour. Charmaine and I ventured as far as the next resort just beyond the cliff. The sun was already scorching and the tide high before we decided we had enough.

Since the resort was owned by the big boss, we were treated to a life of ease. Excluding the salad preparation for lunch during our arrival, the rest of the chores were left to the caretakers. 

That Annual Summer Splash - Days Three and Four

Day Three (Culasi-Malalison Island) - In response to Culasi's robust campaign of Malalison, I was able to get hold of their Tourism Officer a week before the trip was realized. We have not decided about the day yet that I had to call for cancellation and rebooking until everything became final. I was in charge with the activities and accommodation but I had to coordinate with Atty regarding transportation which at the time not yet in place.

Since our driver was a local, he suggested this place I read on the internet. It was new and some of the rooms are still under development (I learned later that the owner worked closely with my cousin-in law at an LGU office).

Already clad in our respective swimwear, we weren't prepared for the welcome that the LGU has prepared for us. The Mayor himself met with us in his office to personally advertise Malalison, what the local government has done so far and what they plan for it in the future.

The short ride to the island from the local port was over too soon. It was uneventful as it seemed sacrilegious to break the serenity. The water was so calm it was like staring back at a dark looking glass.

A day is just too short to completely explore the small island. For the eight hours that we spent there, I had my fill of swimming, freshly caught and grilled fish (some of which we brought to the inn for dinner), hiking through a web of man made tracks by the mountainsides and going back to join the others by walking through the stony beach.

Day Four (Bugasong/Miag-ao) - It's ironic that I passed this place many times before but has not actually went down to explore it. On our way back to the big city and to our different final destinations, not only did we marvel at the UNESCO site that is the Miag-ao Baroque Church but visit UP as well. 

That Annual Summer Splash - Days One and Two

For this year, in addition to our foursome, Bossing Van, Tata and Mek2 joined our mainland Panay exploration.

Day One (Iloilo) - We started out at a time convenient for us mountain dwellers which is just right to catch the brunch buffet at Afrique's. To pass time, the UPV high school alumnae walked us around the city campus while the resident professor took us shopping. Our first night away from home was spent at Manang Daphe's where we were regaled with stories that I personally will not tire hearing over and over again.

Day Two (Tibiao) - When with these girls, comfort is foremost in the traveling musts list. So, we hired a van for the long trip to Tibiao. The thing is, if the highlight of your trip is rafting, summer is not the time to do it (Look at the waterfalls. It tells a lot) Luckily for us, our only objective is to get "cooked" in the vast pans. And since we are the only visitors that night, we were able to have our fill of the experience.
It was only the following morning that it dawned on me how far we were from civilization and that anything can happen :)

The place is safe though, being owned by a local provider of tour packages that included river rafting, rappelling up and down the waterfalls and fish spa among others.

Babysitting 101

Between sis and myself, going away during a major local celebration has become a tradition. Today, she elected to go to the mountains hoping to find something worthwhile to bring back. That meant leaving Summer with us for the day.  

While mom relishes each moment spent with her first grandchild, her needless fussing usually lands her to untimely naps during the day, leaving me in charge.  Give me a dog to mind anytime and rest in the thought  that I will do a good job at it. But children? Much more, infants? What do I know about them? Historically, I can only last in their presence for not more than ten minutes. 

With tatay glued to the tv for his daily dose of sports, who needs youtube? He said, babies cry when they feel uncomfortable which of course translates to being hungry, sleepy, wet or wanting a cuddle, an entertainer and heaven knows scores of other things.  

Since I didn't feel like singing, I looked for nursery rhymes on YouTube and made quite a lot of amusing discoveries. What stuck on the alphabet familiarization part was that, x for x-ray is no more. It now stands for xbox...hahaha.  

It's no wonder why disposable nappies are a hit. Our baby peed like every thirty minutes. The first time she did, I used the kind that we grew up with, bird's eye washable nappies. With only two sheets on hand, I get to wash both two times in the morning (I resigned from afternoon duty to attend my bestie's birthday party).     

With the weather cooperating, all went well and we saved... If you count the monetary value, the cost would have been the same. At P7 per nappy, water, detergent and washing fees would have amounted to the same. The thing is, choosing the latter makes for a,greener and healthier earth to grow old in.

Yes, we don't look it but we're sick

I remember two days ago, I had to drag Shifu out of the house when I was getting ready to leave for Mother's. He refused to eat breakfast as well, which Choco happily finished. I was running late I did not stay to handfeed him or inspect if something else wass bothering him except for separation anxiety. On my way to school, I sent sis a message asking her to visit the old chap who, by the way, turned six last month. He stayed all day at sis' and did eat after so much coaxing. He stayed with me for the night though.

The morning after, I decided to bring him over to mother's. The scary thing was that when I placed him on a low table to set his harness in place, he went down off it on unstable legs which actually gave up. After a few attempts, I got him to stand and walk to the curb and waited for a trike.

Yesterday he looked well enough, I did not bother but what I saw this morning as I delivered his breakfast alarmed me. He has his behind in front of  me as I was preparing his bowl and I smelled something foul that signaled pus. When I raised my eyes to the level of his tail, there I saw a reddened version of his scrotum. The lesions were not fresh and seemed skin-deep. If that's the case, I know Combinex or Betadeine will do the trick which we do not have on-hand. But since I know not how deep the infection is, I asked mom to set an appointment with the Vet.

This was a busy day, and a hot one. After not hearing anything from mom at lunchtime, I went home and took Shifu to the clinic only to find it closed for the noon break. I was ready to leave the house for the afternoon shift when a trike stopped by the gate with the good vet alighting. My hunch was right. Only the sac was infected but I asked for some systemic drug to hasten healing. And cefalexin it is twice a day for a week.

Now, I can breathe a little better.

Breaking Tradition

Oh, how long has it been?  I mean, since I last been to the city plaza for any occasion?

Well, I broke tradition this year and went to see what's new. The sight that greeted me was a surprise. Apparently, there are only a handful of us who doesn't care about the festivity.

As it was in the past, the roads around the plaza were closed to motorized traffic and were occupied by eateries owned by local and national names. The place was abuzz with various activities: people eating, kids running around, store owners never idle, it was indeed something to behold.

Last Tuesday, I had this hankering for sausages that I decided to take a walk with Jen to the wet market. It was inevitable that we pass by the plaza and I was surprised how busy it was. We stopped for a bit at the plaza where I bought a plate of four seasons pizza. I had one the night before it and liked what I tasted.

It was the night of Pawasak (really, I don't know what that meant...but that it involved street dancing).

Yesterday, I don't know what prompted me to ask sis to go out and have that coffee we were planning to have all week. Surprisingly, she agreed and we went out well into the rerun of last night's American Idol 13. Roads were closed to motorized vehicles we made the rest of the way to the plaza on foot. On last night was the Rhythm Competition. It attracted so many merrymakers, no wonder movement on the streets was impossible.

At Cafe Norma, I had their cappuccino while I ordered the mint-mocha frost variety for sis.

We finished our drinks in time for the Brgy. III entry to perform. Though the sound at the cafe was muted a little, still I can tell that that group was way better than the previous ones. with everything going on, the heat (that rendered me glistening) and the smoke, we left for the Agro-trade exhibit for some cow's milk and Durian Chips before heading home.