CALATAGAN: On Failed Adventures And Travel Mishaps

Back in college, my friends and I would sneak out while the world is still asleep. Tom would either shoot a message or give a call saying Jannu and him would be coming in thirty minutes, and that I should have my self prepared by then. Out in the sheets I'll go, jumping into my running shorts and sneakers as abrupt as I can.

In his Honda Civic, with windows down and cold air blowing to my face, I would be riding shotgun. Three hours away from Manila is where we always find ourselves, three clueless youth all ready to take over the world.

I will never forget that epic ride when we were headed South, those wide-eyed faces of shock when we were nearly killed by an overtaking bus. Thanks be to the heavens, we got out of college alive.

The funny visits in random beach resorts, pretending we're bosses of only-god-knows-what-company-we-run looking for some possible places where we could hold a company excursion of some sort, just so we could take a dip on their fancy shores without having to pay anything from our pockets.

Two years later, the adventure didn't seem to stop. Tom with his well-paying job, Jannu getting married with his faith, and I, going solo until these two could finally have some time so we could hang-out again just like the old 'thesis' days.

And so last weekend, the wait was finally over―or so I thought it was. Waking up with yellow light crawling past my window, overcasting a shadow in the ceiling, the sun felt strange all of a sudden after a week of heavy downpour. With a heavy head that hasn't adjusted yet, I stood up immediately shuffling through my closet, taking whatever clothes my hand will land into and eventually finding its way in my bag.

Everything felt like they were in a hurry, although I wasn't really. Then I found myself carpooling with ten more strangers later on. It's surprising how could a different time in a totally different place with different people―whom I don't have the least idea on how they got there in the first place―could send me back to that exact moment I've had in the past.

The skies grew darker as we drove past the embracing trees. I wanted to stay there, put that serene moment in a bottle for keepsake, but the rain couldn't hold itself any longer. The heavens burst out, completely and all at once, that's when Kuya Dada came to rescue me with his three-wheeled chariot.

I thought of going back to who I was two years ago, with my friends, and so I did. The rain went to a complete stop when we reached the opening of the river which now serves as a shelter to different mangrove species.

"So, what study are you doing again?" said the driver. "It's something about the underdeveloped sites." I replied, convincing enough for him to give me a good discount with the trike fare.

I planned of staying for the night in the cottage just across the river, they said it's beautiful there in the morning. If only thunder and lightning had permitted.

Once I was done in the market, Kuya Dada finally dropped me off at the beach. Surprisingly, the once unknown to many has now became an instant getaway for the weekend refugees. Tents pinched everywhere, urban music coming from someone's car stereo, smoke rising off the grill, finally I found a good spot just behind the rocks.

It was two years ago since the last time I visited the beach, things change they say, but I didn't―at least I hope I didn't. After putting down my things, I looked around the place. I found a clearing which lead to what looked like a helipad. There were thorns everywhere, sharp point heads ready to hurt you. Needless to say, don't go walking barefoot, but I was being careless and so I stepped on a couple.

I was walking through the breakwater ruins when DJ came up to me, asking if he could join me in my walk. DJ is an environmental engineer from Indonesia who's currently couchsurfing in the country. His gecko tattoo caught my attention, a reptile of green and yellow. It kept on appearing in his dreams he said, so one day he finally decided to have it inked.



We continued walking until we ended up in a dilapidated vessel, me taking photos and him eating seaweeds he found along the shore. I joined him later on.

We walked further, caught a glimpse of a nearby fishing village, and a quick but beautiful sunset. It was nice to start a friendship in this part of the world, right at this moment of the day, as DJ coined it: 'Fate allowed it to happen.' However our conversation was cut short when it started to drizzle.

"I have to get my stuff back there. I didn't bring a tent, they might get soaked in the rain." I told him as we were heading back to the front beach.

"I brought an extra tent with me, let me just check if we wouldn't be using it." DJ responded.

I thanked him for the offer, but told him I planned of just lying down at my back in my blanket, the stars above as my roofing.

                                                                                                                                                  The rain subsided afterwards, allowing me to start building my fire. DJ came in again and helped me with it. When the fire was lit up, I tossed him a beer, and just talked about all those random stuff. It was one of those insightful conversations I've had in years, I must say.

"You seem busy with your own world." He mentioned. And we ended the night with a seal of an unexpected friendship.

I was awakened by something damp relentlessly pelting down my face, realizing that the rain came pouring down again, leaving almost everything soaking wet.

I was dripping by the time I got in the nearby hut, rescuing some stuff that hasn't totally gone limping yet. Then I came running to the sea, in a cold stormy night of dancing waves and bending tents. I, taking a dip alone. Freezing, like a mad man.                                          

More or less twenty five individuals, all of us were gathered inside a small hut. Some in the kitchen while others found spaces around a makeshift bed. We were trembling from getting wet while some was immobile, giving each other those blank stares of impatience and discomfort. Storm signal number two, someone blurted out. Almost everybody hissed, a gesture of disapproval as if it was something that anyone could bring into a halt.

We seek adventure a lot of times, and a lot of times it respond to us unexpectedly, but the fuss shouldn't stop us from getting all the fun. If there are no risks, then it's not an adventure at all.

It rained cats and dogs, dinosaurs, hyenas, lions, and leopards too. It may not be one of the easiest Sunday mornings I've had with my friends before, but definitely one of the incredible things I wished I've experienced with them at that instant.

So, with all my things inside a garbage bag. I went home with a wet shirt and a happy heart.



*I came back the next day with my friend Ryan, luckily the sun came out to play with us in the sand.
Check out his blog post here: http://www.pinoywanderingboy.com/2013/07/star-filled-sky-over-burot-beach.html