From the busy bustling streets of congested Manila to the busy bustling streets of Baguio City. It's definitely not what I remembered since I last visited, which was in 1994. I was only 8 years old. Its been 16 years since I've been back and a lot has changed. The streets are smaller due to parked cars, the huge population increase, the hills riddled with concrete houses, home isn't what it use to be. But the air was different from Manila, it was cool, comforting, and smelled relatively clean. My clothes weren't sticking to me, I actually needed to layer during the evening.
Stepping into my former home for the very first time was nostalgic. The smell was the first thing made it feel like home. I immediately checked to see the store next door, unfortunately it was closed. The garage was smaller due a shed being added inside. Despite the differences, it strangely felt like home. It had the warm and comforting feeling of the past. Though as a child the house felt much bigger than it does presently. Everything seems to have shrunk. Maybe its the current emptiness, the lack of people specifically family. It was the amount of family and friends that the made the home seem huge. Apart from missing the rest of the family, I still felt like I was at home.
The immediate hospitality was overwhelming. Breakfast was already prepared upon arrival, of course it included rice. Clothing, towels, rooms, simply everything provided for. After 16 years you'd expect to be strangers to your family, but it wasn't the case. It was almost as if we just picked up where we left off. Exchanging stories on what's been happening for the last 16 yrs is an experience you can't document or photograph.
Being up for more than 48 hours has it's draw backs, but knowing if that I have had hit the pillow I wouldn't be able to get back up. Plus, I was in the Philippines, who needs sleep, its overrated. Besides the Pacquiao vs Margarito was being shown that day. It's an all day event. They say it'd be the only time the streets wouldn't be congested, probably also a good time to loot a store. The fight lasted all 12 rounds, with Pacquiao obliterating his opponent with multiple punches at a time. It was an incredible event. He's practically bigger than the President here in the Philippines. A national hero, someone who everyone here in the Philippines looks up too. It's a rag to riches story, it's Philippines' 'Million dollar Baby' story, minus the sad ending of course.
The rest of the day consisted of catching up with family members, eating, drinking, and more eating. There's no better way than to end the day.
