During our Field Trip at Manila

Ilocos Norte Escapade

Our tour was planned to commence at 5:00 AM. However, we really went off at 6:30 AM. The place was Ilocos Norte, the province directly North to our province. I had mixed feelings with this trip because first, the fare was overpriced, the bus was hot, I have gone to some of the places we were to visit, I had to lunch to bring. But in the end, with only about Php200 in my wallet, I enjoyed this day.

And the itinerary went this way.


First Stop: Bangui Wind Mills
The trip to the humongous wind mills located at Bangui, Ilocos Sur was very unexciting. I've been there before so I don't find it amusing to go there anymore. The first time I went there, I was so amazed by the large windmills that I stayed under one of them for a long time. I loved the place, the beach, the scene and the people when I first went there. This time, I only took few photos, ate four turon (that's Php20) and went back to our bus. Other first-timers who went there really enjoyed the sites, as seen. It was scorching hot that time by the way.

Second Stop: Kapur-purawan Rock Formation
This part of the trip was very good, I would say. After a very long walk on a very rocky road, you'll be astounded by a scenery of white rocks. At first I was too critical and said, "Yan lang?" (That only?) But I was proved to be wrong. When we went to the back part, the beauty was already there. The place was very beautiful I had to hold the rock formation most of the time. We had so much pictures on this place. We were longing for more time here but it was starting to rain so we hurried back to our bus. On our way back, there was this girl, about 6 years old, who stumbled on the very rocky road and her left leg got wounded sorely that blood rushed fast. Her mother, instead of helping her, even scolded her loudly. Poor girl. Anyway, I would gladly return to this place if there's another chance.

Third Stop: Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
After a Php100 back-and-forth fare to the lighthouse (I only paid Php20), I must say, this leg of the trip was okay. After having seen the lighthouse very near to the point of holding it, no more. But thanks to this trip I had to quench my long thirst already. (Goodbye Php20).

Fourth Stop: Robinson's
I have no comment on this one. After having two rounds around the mall, I went back to the bus. I was bored. I must admit, I am not a mall-person or a shopping person. I wasted Php39 because I was hungry.

Fifth Stop: Dragon Fruit Farm
I did not enter the farm already since I've already gone there. I only let one of my friends buy their ice cream for me. Php25 for a dragon fruit ice cream will complete your life, I tell you! It's very delicious.

Sixth Stop: Malacañang of the North
So our group did not go since it was not a part of our requirement. But hey, I already went there and it was a very good site. The overview of the Paoay Lake was just mesmerizing I can still imagine.

Seventh Stop: Paoay Church
We were just about to go there to take some outdoor pictures. We were not expecting for the Church to be opened since most of the time, the Church is closed. This Church is a 16th century Church so it must be very old and fragile now. A while ago, there happened to be a wedding so the Church was open. I was able to see the inside of the Church for the first time, though I have already seen the outside of it many times already. Imagine how they were able to keep it firm like that after many renovations and preserving. Plus, we enjoyed the view of the wedding, the honor guards marching together simultaneously, their swords not properly aligned with each other, the very beautiful bride, the 3-minute kiss, the 3-minute kiss again, and the facade of the Church. It was fun.

Eighth Stop: Juan Luna Museum
It was already 5:15 PM so we were expecting for the museum to be closed. And it was really closed. However, we badly needed the museum for our requirement so they approved us to roam around the exterior of the house of the great painter, Juan Luna. The big statue of Juan Luna was there, replicas of his paintings were outside, and a very deep wishing well was also there. Sadly we weren't allowed to enter. It must have been better.

What I enjoyed most of the trip is the bus trip. I had much fun listening to funny stories, bonding with classmates, bonding with acquaintances, singing at the top of our lungs, and many other more. I knew we had so much fun at the bus. It turned out to be a great trip after all!

P.S.

it's not Spolarium. it's Spoliarium. okay? good.

The Hospital Incident

"St. John. That's where we will go. That's the room in the hospital in where we will go."

I was like shocked. Did they just say we were to have  a serious meeting in a hospital room? Because our moderator was the one confined, and I thought he will have his words of wisdom on our meeting, I just agreed to go. However, while on the road to the hospital, I got chills to myself. A hospital? I hated hospitals and I still do. I do not like the aura that I feel when entering hospitals. It's ineffable, to tell you. As far as I remember, I have been hospitalized once and it sucked. And another thing, I'm afraid of all those medical thingamajigs and operations. Gosh.

After sitting at the back of the vehicle for about five minutes, we already arrived at the hospital.

After some gross and medical topics which I never wanted to hear, and after being complete in number, our group already went to the room where our moderator was supposedly confined.

St. Raphael. St. Anne. Female Ward. We can’t seem to find the said room. We have reached to an unknown floor and all of us seemed to be lost. Some of my companions (and me) were totally scared to death with the hospital. I closed my eyes to some parts of the hospital. I do not want to see the wards, dextroses, operating rooms, the beds, everything inside it. I was thanking God a while ago for me not taking a medical-related course.

And so we were lost inside that small hospital. The nurses inside the hospital must be laughing to witness nine bewildered students roaming around the small hospital, seemed to be lost from their parents in an amusement park. Finally, we reached the room, St. John, only to find out that, the person we were looking for was not there. We looked inside the Female ward, but he was not even there (hey, the female ward in that hospital has male patients also). Courageously, one of my companions asked one of the nurses in the station on where our moderator is. They asked what his sickness is. We were speechless for a moment, but, after some conversations (I was not basically listening to this point of the conversation anymore because I was too busy laughing and humiliated at the same time). In the end, we learned that he was already discharged yesterday, so there was no point for us going there.

We bought food, and fruits, and drink, only to find out that we do not have any purpose in going there. Yes. The blame game happened. One blamed another for bringing us there, while this other blamed another person, for that hospital incident. Anyways, we went to the house of our moderator after that and it was confirmed that he was there. We had our meeting there, and food trip.

This is my 6^th of February 2012.

P.S.

Just saying the word catheter makes me want to throw up.

And so we went to Pinsal Falls

I had a dream come true. It was my dream to set foot to Pinsal Falls on Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur. This day, we went there for the first time. It was the Christmas Program of the student Council and since I am a part of that, I joined the group.

Pinsal Falls. Whoa.

It was a long and winding journey to finally go there, however, I underestimated the journey there.

Howe to really go there?

To get there, you need to get a thirty minute ride from the main road. And then, walk along that long and winding road to the falls. The rocky road would add to the difficulty of walking on the road. No permanent stairs are there so expect to be a hiker-professional to cross that road perfectly. The wild plants surrounding you and the narrow road itself would give more difficulty to the road until you see the falls itself. It does not stop there. A longer road would be the next chapter on the course. The road just got steeper this time. More rocks would come across you while you continue your way. Fortunately, to the end of the course, a fence is made and metal stairs to ease the people to go there. By this time, you’re already dead tired. There you see the welcome sign. But it does not stop there. You have to jump on big rocks to cross over them. A single mistake would cost your life so carefulness is needed.  A life and death experience would lead you to the second floor of the falls.

Or you could just get the ride, walk on the rocks beside the river, then go to the stairs which would eventually lead you safely and soundly to the second floor of the falls.

Intricacies

Today was a very magical day. It was the first time I entered into that Church and I was like wonderstruck. The intricate designs, the cross-shaped structure, the big dome, everything was very magical to my eyes. It was beautiful! No words could ever describe that Church we went. Well, the Church is found at a town which usually takes a 2-hour ride from where we live. We're from the same province, though. But still, I'm wonderstrucked. The painting were all beautifully designed. They were intricately painted. Wait, did I say intricate again? LOL. Never mind. I only have one random thought. St. Lucy, their patron saint, is a known martyr for getting her eyes off. However, among all the images of her which I saw, she was holding a plate with her two eyes (accepted) but she has another pair of eyes in her. Whoa. Is this blasphemy?  I guess not. Does that mean St. Lucy has four eyes? God, I'm sorry for this statement. Just stating the obvious. But still, I had a very good stay in that House of God. We celebrated Mass there celebrated by a foreign priest. It was actually my first time to attend mass with a foreign priest. His homily was very good! I actually listened all through out. How I wish that he is like some of our local priests. He goes straight to the point in explaining the Gospel. It's very good!

After that, a very sumptuous lunch was served wherein, honestly, I ate a lot! It was very delicious, and I have to thank the nuns for preparing those.

Overall, it was such a marvelous day. Thanks all to God!