Finding Me Wherever I May Be

There is so much we don’t know and so much we take for granted. There is no way to sum up the Philippines cause each city, province, island, etc is so diverse from food, dialect, culture, etc. Some of the things I’ve learned is that no matter what you got you must make the most of it. Love the ones you have around you and cherish your time here. I find when I complain now about the insignificant things I feel like a brat. I have been spoiled even when times were rough. The thing is, we all have rough times but how we choose to deal with though times is what really matters. Here poverty is real and it’s not just being pushed in the shadows like it’s done in many first world countries. It’s there front and center but you don’t here anyone really complaining. They take care of everything they have and I mean everything. From their homes no matter what that may be, it is kept tidy, swept and a sense of coziness. Belongings are well taken care of and appreciated. My eyes swell with tears ...

   The Build Up If you know me up until my trip to the Philippines one of the things I talked most about was how I was going to see Whang-Od, the legend, and to get tattooed by her or at least meet her! My friend Robe who had educated me on her and has been tattooed by her gave me all the instructions on how to get to her small mountain village in Northern Luzon. I spent 3 nights in Binmaley I was ready to make the journey there. The night before packed my sack, said goodbyes to my new little family I had made there and at 04:00 Mai and her husband drove me to the van station where I took off North to Baugio anxious and excited that I was finally on my way! That I was really doing it. The Defeat At about 07:00 I had arrived in Baguio and set foot straight to the bus terminal to head even further North. This is when the trouble began... Upon arrival the 8am bus was SOLD OUT! Say it isn't so! The next one wasn't until 13:30, I bought my ticket anyway even though I knew I ...