Journey to Banaue
Still running on fumes I managed to pull myself together and check out in time for my departure. I was a bit slow and this was one of many reminders that I was getting older. Another reminder was putting on my reading glasses so that I could order breakfast. While my body was aging, I knew my spirit and my mind had no need to grow up, I am forever a kid, with the curiosity and humor to continue to explore, experience, and learn. I met my guide for the next five days, Carlos, which I thought at first was kind of a strange name for a Filipino. But I would learn that the Spanish occupied the Philippines for years, and it turns out this name was not strange at all. In all my travels around the world, Carlos would prove to be one of the best guides I have ever had. He spent time with me, enjoyed a beer with me, understood me, and then completely customized my travels to give me the very best experience possible. In fact, I found Filipinos to be some of the most beautiful people in the world. They seemingly had no egos and were ready to help out in any way they could. They had a wonderful dry sense of humor and were quite jolly. A lesson for the rest of the world. Yeah these were my kind of people.
After an hour or so we had traveled the few miles to get out of Manila and stopped at a Chinese cemetery, or really a city in itself. Confused, I struggled to understand, why would anyone pay the price of a second home that included bedrooms, a kitchen, and bathrooms, just to place the dead remains of a loved one inside? In addition, they pay for a daily caretaker, yet they only visit twice a year.
This is not a house, it is a tomb.
We then came across the “poor” side of town. Mortgaging a second home for the dead was something I could not connect with and left it behind.
Continuing north we later stopped at something I could connect with, pork, or Lechon as they call it in the Philippines. And if you think the pictures look succulent your taste buds will be blown away should you get a chance to taste this.
Every bit is for sale including the intestines. As it turns out intestines would not be the strangest thing I would eat in the Philippines.
As we got further from the city the more beautiful things started looking. I also learned that there was no need for any kind of psychologist in the Philippines as everyone talks to everyone about everything.
As I chatted with my guide on our journey north I found that the Philippines have something I have never found anyplace else in the world, they actually like Americans. Apparently we took over the Spanish occupation and taught them a single language, English, which was great for me. We also provided them with free education. Which is a great way to win over the people. This guy was plowing his field.
This guy’s plow got stuck and it seems that he has given up for the day.
We then stopped for a break in a local village and I was getting used to Carlos calling me “Mr. Chris”. I was amazed to hear that the vertically challenged Philippines love basketball. So much that even if there was not a live game on TV they would rebroadcast previous games. The local villages had TVs and a satellite dish all powered by a solar panel so that not a shot or even a dribble would be missed.
When they were not watching basketball they were making amazing wood carvings.
The views were inspiring and I knew I was headed in the right direction.
We finally reached the Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel, the only accommodation in the area and run by the government. Not many people travel this far as it takes quite an effort, and this hotel redefines the word “basic”. It’s old with dated decor and the sheets have been well used, but the views are amazing and it’s a great starting point for daily hikes.
I also found it best to turn on the shower to hot, then go and eat, and when you come back there is a pretty good chance of having lukewarm water. The only problem with this method was that it was slow to drain, so the water is half way up your lower leg by the time you finish.
While this might not be for everyone, I fell in love with the place, I love the vibe and this is why I travel, I would not change a thing. I headed to the bar to enjoy a San Miguel, the local beer, or four, possibly six, it's hard to tell as the bottles are small. I really enjoyed San Miguel but didn't yet know why. With the beer working I got a good night’s rest. I had finally reached my destination and tomorrow would begin my exploration. I reflected and thought how I missed my traveling companions of past, Kim and Riley, as I know they would have loved this. Stupid school schedule... You’ll learn far more out here then any school could ever hope to teach you... This is life... Life often provides a well deserved beer...
