An Almost Perfect Family and Friends Trip at Pangasinan

Ever since our History professor gave us a project to promote a provincial locality to be submitted no later than February, me and my group mates immediately planned for a Pangasinan trip. It took me a month and a half to ask permission to my parents to accompany us to the most awaited trip. UNEXPECTEDLY, we settled for Pangasinan allowing us to leave in the wee hours of Saturday, December 20, 2008.

We were a group of 11, consisting of: Me, Austin, Krizia, Raye, Charmaine, Hannah, Joy, Alvin, Ivan, Carlo and Miguel. We gathered ourselves at SM North EDSA, The Block and went home. My family were too kind to invite my friends to stay on our home for the night. Girls will be sleeping upstairs and boys will be sleeping downstairs. We'll be leaving on the wee hours of the next day and no one wants to be left behind. We got food, junks, drinks, clothes, tents and every resources we need for survival.

It was 2:30 am and the girls were getting ready. I personally woke up the boys and we all got settled at exactly 3.30am. We then left the house at 4am.

It was a long drive. Our first pit stop was the boundary of Pangasinan. We just took pictures and other things related and immediately proceeded to Tayug, where the Natividad Falls is located. Speeding things up, we arrived in Tayug safe and sound.



Finally, upon arriving at the foot of the mountains, my parents laid off and allowed us to go to the falls on our own with a trusty and expert mountaineer-tourist guide and uncle of my dear friend Krizia. It took us an hour to climb the rocks, soil and trees to reach the falls. And with no expectations, it never came to my mind that hiking was really a tough sport considering I was just wearing a lousy sleeveless top, a short shorts and an Ipanema slippers!

So, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Ha-ha! It was really crazy, funny and very unexpected. It was really H-A-R-D. My heart pumped faster and slower at the same time and my sweat got colder and colder as I encountered cliffs and narrow steps. It was really an adventure to treasure and worth reminiscing knowing that I was with the best people on the PLANET - my parents, my boyfriend and my friends.

(Some pictures can be seen in my other ACCOUNTS: MULTIPLY - iamrxane.multiply.com, FRIENDSTER - ennaxor25@yahoo.com and FACEBOOK - ennaxor25@yahoo.com)

We ate breakfast at the sidewalk. Imagine two vans parked at the side of the road with 20 passengers having a picnic eating rice and chicken. Well, at least it didn't took a long time for us to dig in to our food.

IT WAS ALMOST PERFECT. The ambiance. The air. The feeling. It was like, there's nothing I could ask for more. Then again, problems come when you least expect it. And when it comes, it pours.


...to be cont. :-)

That Morning

From the time I opened my eyes at nearly 4:15am, I realized it was a day like no other. The silence was with associate with complete blackout - No sounds, no movements and it was like no air. I was at my door staring blankly at the terrace thinking where else is everybody. My uncle used to sleep at the second floor receiving area, but that morning, no one's in there, or even a thing. I hurried up to attend to my morning routines since Tuesday is a duty day. I left the house at exactly 5:30am and still, I saw no one. No breakfast, no coffee break and no goodbye kisses.

I walked in the darkest alley of Franc Street. There were no lights. The only functional light is at the crossing. As I pushed through I felt the cold breeze at my back. I wasn't scared at all. I just continued walking with my arms crossed on my chest. And then I laid off with a tricycle ride.

"It's a gloomy morning"

I told to myself. If only I could paste my sad face the end of each word, I would. It felt like I was having a premonition. Something really bad is going to happen, and when that time comes, no one will be standing by at my side.For sure, NO ONE.

1 day. 2days. 3 days passed. I was anxious to see the day I should not hope for. Not until one night.