October 31, 2015

Albert Camus once said "You cannot create experience, you must undergo it."

And guess what, Albert? You bet I did. 20+ kilometers of it.


A 2 hour 4x4 ride on tough terrain, with not enough sleep is not really a good mix. I was feeling a bit dizzy and I feel like I might fall off our vehicle anytime soon. Funny thing is, I kept on standing while riding an unbelievably shaky and fast vehicle. Like I'm some kind of a daredevil. Good job, self.

All is well when we arrived at the stop, welcomed by Justin Bieber's "What Do You Mean?" playing from one of the trucks.
The next thing we know, it's up to us to trek 7 or more kilometers to reach the Pinatubo crater lake.
It took me a long while to process whatever was in front of me. I was so busy walking and trying not to slip, that I forgot the beauty surrounding me. It was so unreal, I had to do a double take. And make Dubu capture a dramatic back shot of me, for the sake of it.
The next thing I know, I slowly start becoming aware of the little things around me.


By the time we reached the 1 kilometer stop, it felt evident that we're really doing this. It's getting really redundant that it took me a long while, I know. Blame my lack of sleep, as well as patience with this guide who had Dawin's "Dessert" playing out loud on repeat. It kinda took its toll on me. But hey, I made it alive!


Now came my favorite part: the walk towards the crater lake.

Which was a completely different from the volcanic mudflow trail that we walked through earlier in the day. We were surrounded by the pleasant smell of nature(in a good way), the relaxing sound of flowing waters, and life just evident everywhere you go.  And may I just say, the pathway with all the rocks was an experience. Especially when you  are being accompanied by James Reid's Huwag Ka Nang Humirit playing in the background. *wink wink*


Then there she was. Everything just fell into place. And all I could do was just stare what was in front of me. Breathing it all in.


That suddenly all made sense. Whilst we were on our way to the crater, everything just felt far, bigger and harder in every step of the way. But there I was with my good friend, as well as the others. We conquered.

Despite it being an active stratovolcano. I see it as a little haven with so many untold stories, precious memories and traces of little unsung victories. That's what it was.


And since we're already by the crater lakefront, whilst the sun was scorching hot and beautiful. Dubu and I decided to make use of that scene and eat lunch whilst talking about the random-est things - from James, Nadine, future adventures and opinionated confederates.


Of course, I won't go about this trip without my essentials: my dear little Jiwo, as well as my On The Wings of Love couple rings (just because.).


Why don't we take this whole trying-to-be-dramatic post by emitting more drama with my made-to-be-striking but turned out to be lame back shots, shall we?

I ended my birthday month in such a poetic way, that I cannot find the words to sum it all up in one sentence. Bringing myself over the edge and back to where I was, but this time with things I have seen more than I remember. And remember more than I have seen. (And yes, I got that last bits from Benjamin Disraeli.) 


P.S.



I would like to thank my dearest Dubu, Dianne. For actually making one of my birthday wishes possible. To more adventures here and abroad, I hope! Salamat. Sobrang salamat.