The Moment

I committed to taking a vacation every June as a consolation for adding another year to my age. This year, we planned our itinerary to involve Baguio and La Union. I left Butuan on an evening flight to Manila on the 14th, then rode a bus that left for Baguio at 11 PM.

The Baguio breeze was surprisingly more welcoming at 3 AM. We met at the Teacher's Camp for our accommodation.

On the first day, we slept in and missed coffee, but we had brunch at Luisa’s Cafe, picking the best-seller Mami (5/5 stars), then grabbed fries and shared a Coke drink at Mcdonald's.

We roamed SM Baguio after lunch, planning to watch a movie. But we missed the 12 NN viewing, our only option for the day because we planned to attend church at 6 PM. But skipping the movie ensured extra time to finally make way for a coffee date at Starbucks, Camp John Hay.

After church, we dined at the Korean Palace with my sister, who was also vacationing in Baguio. I am not particular about Korean food. But I enjoyed seeing them getting along with Samgyupsal. The side dishes were legitimate, according to the two. As we learned, the owners are Koreans.

La Union was day 2. We rode a bus for an hour and a half from Baguio to San Juan. It rained just after we checked in. But we still walked from our accommodation to where we had lunch. We figured it was nothing compared to the weather we endured in Siargao last February.

Kabsat is a solid recommendation for fine food, comfortable seating, and the beach view where surfing is popular.

We enjoyed the beach and rooted many memories in the sand before we left by dusk. We skipped dinner after consuming all platters of food we ordered at Kabsat. But a coffee date is a necessity. As if we had super stomachs, we grabbed some beers with many people witnessing local bands play by the coast to the doubling population. Capping off the day, we ate noodles at 7-Eleven.

Another brunch ensued after sleeping in the next day. We grabbed quality Udon noodles at Chu’s Diner, which took almost an hour to prepare. It was already Saturday. Before the meal, the worry of departing by Sunday morning was already bugging me. And maybe it was a factor why I was irritated by that late meal serving. But that fruit bowl at Makai Bowls was helpful, pricey for its quality.

Following our Elyu escape, we toured more familiar places back in Baguio. There were planned stops at the Bamboo Sanctuary and more coffee shops recommendations we missed due to limited time. But we managed to finally watch the Little Mermaid, grab a book, dine at a new restaurant, buy some jams for home (of course), and additional goodies at the Night Market, including street foods that filled us more than they needed to, all in half a day.

There was so much to do in Baguio and La Union. New ones show up as soon as we ticked one off. But between walking along Session Road, waiting for the next ride, or queuing for orders from one shop or stall to another, there was the person I adore, the pause, the moment.

Personally, the vacation helped me sort through my worries. It was equally healing as Malimono last year. Importantly, it helped us discover each other more, the boiling complexities that come after the sweetest beginnings. I know now that it is sure when, after being here and there, you have a companion in the hallways of the Pages Hall that people say floating people occupy.