[June 2013 entry...] I was supposed to go home right after having brunch with my college friends. But for some reason, I urged myself to walk around UP Diliman before going home. So I obliged myself with a little 'me' time. I mean, my recently injured foot could also use some exercise, so I trailed away.
My friend dropped me off in-front of CAL (College of Arts & Letters) before going back to her class. And from there, I started my slow walk. That's when I started taking pictures of the buildings that I used to frequent back when I was still in college. Here are just some of the structures that made me reminisce the good ol' days.
Before there were hi-tech gadgets where 'notes' can easily be typed and saved, I first jotted down many details of my travels on just a simple notepad. I would write down the street names that I passed-by, the directions going to certain locations and attractions, and the expenses incurred from the many establishments that I've visited along the way (costs on transportation, food, shopping, etc.). So writing down my entries on several blank pages was my way of documenting the places that I've already been to. Of course, I recorded everything that was going to be of use to me, to help me write my travel stories in full detail later on. So you can just imagine how nostalgic it felt when I started documenting my travels again (after several years) using this spiffy looking journal --- a special edition, 'The Travel Club Moleskine'. This notebook was all the more special because the company behind TTC just celebrated 20 fruitful years of being in the retail business. That's a milestone right there!
2013 has been a hard year for me. And it truly felt like I was being challenged in more ways than one (physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially). The number of trips that I made this year may have been less compared to 2012. But I still thank God for blessing me with plenty of life-changing experiences.
HOW I GOT THROUGH THE BAD JUJU
My right foot's 5th metatarsal broke in March, which kept me from having to work and to travel (was already bound for Tacloban the next month when this happened). Plus, a nasty skin ailment progressed all over my body during my immobility. I couldn't get myself checked at the time since I could barely walk with my foot cast. So things worsened through those months. And by the time I consulted a dermatologist, a new set of expenses came pouring like rain.
My friends and I spent some time in Intramuros right after our food exploration in Chinatown last September --- as we waited for another pal to join us that afternoon. We actually dropped by the Silahis Art & Artifacts to help pass up on time. And from there did we see firsthand some of the most interesting Philippine artifacts, books, cultural handicrafts, sculptures, paintings and more.
The Silahas Center is the building on the left (the one with the brown exterior).
I had the privilege of experiencing Carlos Celdran's (Manila's Tourism Consultant) FREE #VivaManila Walking Tour with several Pinoy Travel Bloggers last September. It happened right after our stopover at the Silahis Art & Artifacts in Intramuros.
THE BEST THING'S IN LIFE ARE FREE!
Carlos Celdran's Free #VivaManila Walking Tour definitely made this statement stand out. Why? Because other than giving out a free, no-frills tour around the City of Manila, he also graced us with his very boisterous yet down-to-earth character. Of course, the project itself is one to commend since Carlos' team (Mayor Joseph Estrada the guys at the Manila City Hall) aims to restore what the Filipinos once loved about the Philippine capital. Moreover, the tour was created to inform everyone that the bustling city is very much a walkable destination. You can certainly go from one interesting place to another just by using your feet and your wandering soul.
Ever since the "no plastic" rule was implemented in several parts of Metro Manila, I've already made it a point to bring an eco bag whenever I leave the house. But even before the rule was put into effect, I would already place a foldable mesh bag inside my purse. And it would always come in handy whenever I'd buy stuff from the mall or from the grocery store. But I enjoyed carrying all sorts of stuff even more when I received my very own Baggu Shopping Bag.
It has been a yearly thing for me and Rubel to do our Christmas shopping ahead of time (as early as November), so we could avoid the rush of people scurrying to buy their last minute gifts. I particularly dislike the long lines at the cashier, and the body-bumping moments with the thick crowd. But what I've never really liked during the holiday rush is the commute whenever we visit the mall. We don't have our own car, so we'd usually ride a Jeep or Cab when going home. Then again, it also becomes a tiring thing to do when you have to wait in line just to get a taxi, when you so desperately want to go home and rest. Yes, cab's also have long queues during the holidays. And it's always the same scenario, so don't be surprised when you go around the Philippines in this time of year. But when we heard about this certain Taxi app, we knew we had to try it. So we did come Christmas morning.
Budget Biyahera is about finding fun and distinct food and destinations, accommodations, products/gears and activities that people can enjoy on a ‘regular’ person’s budget and schedule.
