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June 2005 - "Up north, in the mountains" - has mythical meaning here in the Philippines. The mountains represent a different environment and lifestyle from other places in the Philippines. I had a chance to visit the mountain region and now I understand why those places are so special.
I started off in Baguio, the "summer capital" of the Philippines. It was really hot in Manila in April and May, so I understand why people from Manila like to go to Baguio. It is a totally different weather pattern there, it is actually cold. You don't need an air conditioner, the breeze is cool and crisp. There are pine trees everywhere. It feels like Seattle, especially with the rain. People seem happy, just beacause it is not so sweltering hot. You don't need to go inside to get some relief from the heat like you do in Manila.
Baguio has some great places to eat, have coffee and contemplate life. It is such a "cool" place - for artists, for thinkers. I am |
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glad I got a taste of it. Up above is session road, where you can find great food and coffee. To me, the most fun was at the market. It was the best fruits and vegetables I had ever seen with a cost of a fraction of the price I pay at the supermarket.
From Baguio, I went to the town of Sagada, in the Mountain Province. What struck me most about Sagada was how quiet it was. In my town of Carigara, you can walk around the neighborhood and hear the tv or radio on in every house. |
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In Sagada, you can hear the birds fly and the wind blow through the trees. It is cold there also. The air is fresh, the breeze is cool - it has a great force of nature and it made me happy to be there. There is a lot to do in Sagada. We hired a guide to take us on some hikes to see a waterfall and walk through some rice fields. I also was able to go caving. It was my first attempt at caving and it has to be one of the funnest experiences ever. Your guide takes you down into these limestone caves. You have to tread through incredibly cold water, navigate steep slopes barefooted and crawl through tiny spaces. |
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| The reward is a lot of laughs and a fun time. I am glad I had the chance to visit. |
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