fun night

fireworks at our grade school's annual reunion three nights ago...

(first time to use the fireworks setting of my camera. not bad.)

shadow play

Before graduating from high school, our class made a pact of meeting every 28th of December. This is one of these days, and tonight we caught up with each other, took pictures and played with shadows. Here, we are spelling our Class' name. Can you guess what it is? :) Reunion night with high school classmates has always been fun. Hope I can meet with them again next year.

Picture courtesy of my classmate :)

Holiday Greetings!

Felices Pascua y Prospero Año Nuevo estaba aqui na Zamboanga! :)

Plaza Pershing, 1915

Zamboanga City

Every 28th of December, my high school friends usually meet for our annual reunion. Whether we may only be five or twenty, we take this time to catch up with each other and be grateful for the friendship we have kept alive since we were in high school. We also take this time to go around the city and enjoy the festive decors our city government has provided for its people. Wonderful, don't you think?

Kudos to my friend too, whom I later found out, is the head of the parks development in the city. She and her team really worked hard to bring this about. Galing!

 

mask

my nephew, the artist, made this one out of the cartons he found at my mom's store --

cool, isn't it? he even wore it on his way home :)

food and conversation

it's been two years since i've been home and the first thing my friend did was bring me to this new cafe at gov. camins road in the city called witchcraft. it's located on the second floor and is relatively a big place. there was a sizeable crowd (even saw a couple of acquaintances) but what surprised me here was that youngsters, whom i don't usually see in more well-known cafes in manila, also hang out here. i guess it is a good tambayan for them. the food all looked quite nice and the one that i ordered - crab something on croissant is lovely. i tasted my friends roast chicken salad and it was also very good. the cheesecake, although good already, good use a little more cream cheese? well, that is only my personal taste. another surprise also was the way they serve their lemonade - on a jar! i just saw one like it on a food show the other day! :)

i liked the place - the layout, the design, the food and the atmosphere, especially when they raise the blinds on the windows and you will see the open fields leading to the airport. what is a little bit disappointing is that the place is a little bit expensive (more like manila prices) for a small city. however, i didn't mind it much as i was having a great time catching up with the goings-on in town with my friend :)

reunion

Celebrating our Grade School's 3rd Annual Reunion tonight. Had to go early though to direct the setting up of our batch's tent. It's kinda big so hoping for a big turn-out and happy night ahead! :)

dinosaur on christmas day

"tita, tita, i will draw something for you," said my four-year old nephew ---

What a wonderful gift from a future master :)

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday, Jesus! :) 

Guess who came to give us some presents?! :)

christmas loot

I usually open my Christmas gifts on Christmas Day, even those received from the office. Whenever I go home this time of the year, I usually bring them with me. But this year was different. As I need to bring other stuff for my parents, I decided to open them in advance. And what great gifts are they! I am so happy to have received the stuff I need. I am just so grateful to have friends who know me so well :)

orange chocolate

 
Crack it and you've got orange-shape chocolate pieces! It even has orange bits in it. Yummy! What a Christmas treat to those who are already in Holiday mode in the office -- me! :)

oblation's star

This year, UP lost its "Pasko 20xx" lights for Christmas and instead, created a big star behind the Oblation. At night, it's a wonderful sight! This photo was taken after my friend and I watched the Handel's Messiah concert at the Abelardo Hall, which was just across the Quezon Hall. I couldn't show a picture of the concert itself but believe me, the music was heavenly and the community singing of Filipino Christmas carols was amazing. I hope they would have more like this in the future and I hope I'd get to attend all of their shows :)

lights show

There are so many activities during Christmas that one would really plan ahead where to go. Every December, I always try to fill my evenings with new things before I finally go home to my parent's house. This year was not really that different. Tonight, my friends who are available for the night and I went to the lights show at the Ayala Triangle. It was a long walk from the train station but we made it in time. The lights and music where fantastic that even the child of my friend had been enjoying it by dancing and clapping her heart out. The best part of it was the green "electro" light that my friend's husband, who is a seaman, said looked like an Aurora. Wow, imagine that! I finally saw an Aurora! :)

beckham bends it in pinas

So when it was announced that the Nepal game wasn't to be the Azkal's game for the year, I immediately looked for people who would join me in this last game. It is pretty exciting because the team would be playing against the LA Galaxy who has got David Beckham and Landon Donovan in the team. At the time of the announcement, the Galaxy was on their way to winning the MLS Cup (which they finally did). Following their victory, they embarked on the Asian Tour to promote the beautiful game and the Philippines was lucky enough to be hosting a part of their tour. Unfortunately for the fans though, the tickets were awfully expensive! If not for my bonus (which arrived early), I don't think I'd be able to go without feeling guilty about spending way too much for just one game! But come to think of it, the Azkal's first game early this year made me spend much more; but then again, it was my birthday so I guess I'll excuse myself from any guilt. Anyway, my sister was with me and we both enjoyed the trip immensely.

So anyway, back to the PH Azkals vs LA Galaxy game. The game was exciting, especially seeing live Beckham's beautiful goal! The crowd went crazy, but what was crazier was when Manny Pacquiao arrived and almost everybody's eyes went to the bleachers and chanted "Manny, Manny!" I guess that made Beckham stop for a while because later, when he left the field, we were informed that he passed on his jersey to Pacman (which Jinkee grabbed right away, I would assume). The game went back to normal and when all 90+ mins of the game was played, the Azkals lost (dismally), 6-1. Hey, but I had to applaud Phil's lone goal. It was amazing and we get to see it close because the goal was at our side of the bleachers!  :)

it's in the air

37 days until Christmas! can't wait! :)

blessed

the chinese girl i was close with during the wyd said to me, "you must be rich to be able to afford coming here to madrid and then sightsee some... not all normal filipinos could do that." she herself was sponsored by their church in the philippines although she's a chinese national.

i just told her, "God has blessed me so."

the roman dream

love

A love built slowly is a mark of permanence. For nothing lasts that is grown in haste.


- uncle jim,  from his own love story

tell me...

tell me, when have i ever been gone?
never...


=)

other words

other words that i learned in rome and had sustained me in the metro of madrid:

escussi!


permesso!

in english, excuse me, let me pass!

entrance, exit

in italian: entrata, uscita
in german: eingang, ausgang
in french:entree, sortie
in spanish: entrada, salida

so these are the words that i found very useful when i took the trains during my travel. however, i don't exactly know why but it seems that i remember the Exit words more :)

the painting

one of the many things i am grateful for, one of the things i took away from this trip is being able to appreciate art more, especially this one painting -- The Entombment of Christ by Caravaggio which was on display at the Prado Museum during the JMJ 2011.

it just happened that there were too many people around wanting to see this painting which was loaned by the Vatican itself. i was able to see this and was just amazed to see how large this painting is or how beautiful the way it was painted, or how wonderful the paints had lasted this long. as most of the time, my hands itched to touch this painting. without any guides, i was just able to admire this but didn't really get the time to reflect on it until i got back. reading about this, especially with the way Jesus' hand was positioned at the stone slab signifying the cornerstone of the Church, and/or how the two reactions of the women signify two types of grief, was really an eye-opener to me. that made me realize that i need to learn how to appreciate art more by putting more thought while looking at it, not just admiring it for their colors or characters. i should have remembered my humanities class. all art wants to convey something, and sometimes, it is up to you to make your interpretation. hopefully, by the time i see myself in a museum again, facing such wonderful work of art, i can fully appreciate it more -- beauty and meaning.

to learn more about this painting, one can check these websites:
Prado Museum on The Entombment of Christ
Prado Museum - the work
EWTN Catholic Canvas

loving el greco, rubens and a flemish painting

it's a blessing that i was able to go inside the prado museum. it is where i fell in love with el greco. it is where i was able to appreciate rubens, caravaggio and a flemish painting (actually two of them).

walking distance

i actually don't get it. maybe they just have longer legs?

in europe, most especially to where i've been like bavaria and salzburg, people would tell you that it's just a short distance to where i am going. only to find out that it's very far!

for example, in the hotel i stayed in at memmingen, i was told that the train station is just about a 10-min walk. in truth, it was more like 20-25 min walk for me. same goes in salzburg where i was told that the garden is only short distance away when in fact, i had to walk a long street to get there. oh, same in paris when i asked if the sacre couer was near our hostel. yes, it's only about 10 min walk. i think i walked for 30 mins.

it's probably they have long legs or it's just me that's been carrying a heavy suitcase?

but then again, i talked to two american girls who also had that impression.

so maybe, europeans just walk very fast.

dreams made reality

it's almost a week since i've been home. it's a great feeling. but what is greater is knowing that i was finally able to do one of my dreams - travel europe. i realize that i have only seen a small part of it but still i am very grateful for the opportunity that God has given me for i recognize that without His "permission," i won't be able to do it. i guess this is one manifestation that He truly does keep His promise -- even though it takes a long while.

however, it is not only the travel that is the main dream that has been fulfilled but my attendance to the world youth day in madrid. for a while, i thought that i might not be able to go because i have no one to go with me. fortunately, God had answered my prayers and gave me two great companions in madrid - mary and gustavo. i may not have pictures with groups of different nationalities carrying different flags but i do have pictures (and memories) of them that i will treasure as long as i live. i wish that the bond fostered in that one week will last. as gustavo had said, 'keep in touch and if ever you're in south america, let me know coz if you don't, i'll get mad.'

other dreams made reality was to see the places that i have dreamed about for a long time -- neuschwanstein castle in bavaria (germany), giants causeway in belfast (and an extra trip to st. patrick's tomb and the marble arch caves), wicked the musical in london, and the white cliffs of dover. how could i ask for more now that what i experienced was beyond what i expected?

more important though is the realization that family and good friends is the best gift that God could give one person. in belfast, i am so happy to be in a home environment with my kinakapatids and their kids. in kent, i am so grateful to have good friends that are very welcoming. they gave me a warm house, a warm bed, a warm welcome (and hugs), warm food, warm everything.  i guess the british weather was the only thing that wasn't warm! they even drove me around. so how can i not be so grateful?

truly, the trip had been dreams made into reality and even more. more than i expected. for this, i thank the Lord for the chance and for my parents and true friends who encouraged me to pursue what i want.

rain (ulan)

i have been wondering about that. it seems that the rain had been following me since i started my trip from rome.

it was blistering hot in rome but arriving in germany, it was really cold. the following day, rain started pouring down. arriving in salzburg, it was raining hard as i wait for the bus that will take me to the b&b. in paris, rain poured down as i was entering the sacre coeur. in madrid, it was also blistering hot but during our vigil with the pope, we were again pounded with rain. in belfast, rain and sunshine alternates within one hour. arriving in stansted through london, it was again raining. walking back from the other side of the dover cliffs, ice cold rain poured on us. when i arrived back home, i was greeted by rain.

so, is it really summer or what?

at home, at last!

I am finally home!

And the rain was saying "Hello" to me when I arrived.

the final day of my three-week long vacation

Today is my flight back home. It's unbelievable. This journey had been one of the greatest I've experienced and doing it all alone, meeting old friends and making new ones, truly make it amazing. Hopefully, one day, I get to do this again, perhaps in another continent.

My friends and I woke up early with G and O cooking breakfast and Fr making the car ready for us. I am thankful for these three wonderful siblings who made all things simple for me during this leg of my trip - free stay at their apartment, picking me up at Victoria, taking my luggage so I can easily go around London (and also so that I won't have to get a locker at the station), the Wicked play, the trip to Dover, the food (which were all amazing!), the talks, the most comfortable bed in this trip care of Fr (thank you so much for lending me your room), the hot showers, and oh! the walk on wheat fields while there's a downpour, and finally this - driving me to the airport when I have planned way before to just take the train at Victoria or Paddington to go to Heathrow. Guys, thank you so much!

At the airport, I easily checked-in at the Qatar Airlines counter with an excess baggage of about three kilos which the kind airline staff let me get away with -- and he even put me in an aisle seat all the way to Manila without asking, and with a very nice smile. Thank you!

While waiting for my flight, I got to go around Heathrow. It was entirely different from what I remembered, then I realized -- it was a different terminal from where we took off the last time I was here. I went around, bought my reg magnet, stamps and postcards to send to my parents and friends (found out later that not any of the cards I sent ever arrived! :( ). Having the free time also gave me the chance to finally get into the book I've brought with me. It was only then that I realized that the book I carried was really pretty hand and quite good! Thanks, Neil Gaiman.

I am almost home :)

white cliffs of dover

 White Cliffs of Dover

So much excitement today. I finally got to see the White Cliffs of Dover.

Okay, for some maybe, it will not be very interesting but to me, as a geologist, I find this a very nice site to look at a formation that is very significant. This coastline, made up of chalk, is identical to the coastline opposite the ocean in France. Isn't that cool. And cooler yet, the view makes it a nice backdrop for era movies where people, in tattered clothes, landed on the beach, with their boats almost sinking and all.

So anyway, O and his brother and sister drove me up there. G even woke up so early in the morning to prepare our picnic - large bacon sandwiches with the works, fruits and chips. How cool can that be? My only contribution to our picnic was a pack of Nagaraya crackers which these guys surely missed from back home. So that wasn't so bad :)

The cliffs in Dover are actually white due to the limestone/chalk that it is made of. However, I noticed that there are some cobble-sized grains within this formation that looks like quartz with an obsidian texture. I wonder what it is. A marble, perhaps?

The guys and me had fun walking along the edge of the cliff but we had to be careful to follow the trail because in some areas, erosion had already taken place and there are cracks in between it (but this one is exactly on the edge). We walked through grasses, fields of wheat, through plants that are unknown to me. Later, O told me to check my phone to get a surprise and when I pulled out my phone, exactly right there, was the surprise! I'm getting a French signal. We were definitely very near France at that moment :) The day was sunny so it was okay although the shoes that I used was not exactly the right one to go on a very long walk (didn't expect the walk to be that long, you see). We walked all the way up to the other side of the cliff, at the lighthouse. Here, we stopped to catch our breath and just enjoyed the sun.

When we finally decided to head back, the sky started turning gray. We decided to go ahead as the dark clouds where still farther away but in a couple of minutes, the rain started pouring down. My umbrella was almost to the horizontal now, my feet got very cold, my jeans got soaked all the way up through my underwear! Argh! It was uncomfortable. Halfway to our destination though, the rain stopped and we walked along a "deserted" road and when we turned a corner, what a sight to see! We were already seeing the Dover Castle. Oh, so beautiful and so majestic! We cut through a field and still, we can see the Dover Castle sitting atop that wide hill/plain, and I found a blueberry plant (or so I thought). I didn't taste it though because I was not sure if it was safe to eat. So, even though I am very cold and wet, I still had fun because I got to see Dover Castle and see its beauty and I got to pick fresh berries from a tree :)

Dover Castle

Next unexpected stop to our trip was at the Leeds Castle. Unfortunately, it was already closed for visitors and we only got to play with the peacocks running around near the Visitors Area :)

Thanks, O, G and F for the tour. I had a blast! :)

wicked in london

BELFAST

After a hearty meal at Ate and Kuya's house in Belfast, we proceeded to the Belfast Airport for my 1130 flight to London Stansted via EasyJet. It's so sad to say goodbye especially since I really felt at home with them. Here's wishing that I could return soonest.

At the airport, I was charged 20GBP for my excess baggage (I'm not sure where it came from as Ate and I made sure last night that I don't go beyond the baggage limit). Anyways, I was prepared for that eventuality and has already prepared my money. But Ate and Kuya where just so generous that they paid my charges! God has given me really kind people for my elected family :)


STANSTED

The flight was uneventful but when we reached Stansted, it was really raining hard. That was probably why our baggages were long time in coming. At the arrivals area, I proceeded to the bus services and bought a ticket on TerraVision again (should have taken the National Express coz it seemed they load faster and there were guys to help you load your bags in the baggage compartment) for about 9GBP. As I was waiting in line, the rain didn't seem to let up and I was afraid that it would still be raining when I arrive in London.


LONDON

Upon entering the city of London, I recognized some of the places such as the Tower of London (came to see the back side of it), the Parliament and the Big Ben. Later, we would arrive at Victoria Coach Station and I had to walk all the way to the Victoria Train Station across the street to meet up with my friend, O, and his brother. I was planning to leave my bag at the lockers at the train station but my friend's brother was kind enough to take it home with him while O and I will go around the city before going to the gala showing of Wicked at the Victoria Theater (which was just beside the station).

It was drizzling a bit (then it rained hard while we were walking), so O and I had an early dinner at McDonald's (yeah, I know!), then took a bus ride around the city instead. We had a chance to visit Hasbro, though, to look at toys (I guess it was Hasbro) and to escape the rain for a while. In just a short time, we had to go back to Victoria so as to be on time for the musical.


WICKED!!!

Another Dream come true!!!!! Wicked the Musical was splendid. I'm so glad to be able to put pictures with the songs in my head now. Everything was just great. Thanks to O for the treat (wow!), it was truly spectacular.


MAIDSTONE

The train to Maidstone was 18GBP one way (probably almost the same price as going to Cambridge) and we arrived a little bit after 11:00 PM. Just so glad that the train station was just beside the theater so we didn't have to run to take the next train out of the city. We were picked up from the station by O's brother and sister so we didn't have trouble getting a ride back to their place.

The siblings' apartment was relatively big with two rooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a family room. F was kind enough to lend me her room for the time that I'm there and it I really appreciate it, although I would not have minded sleeping on the couch (they have a lovely couch). We stayed up late catching up, me getting to know O's siblings as this was the first time that I've seen them, and planning tomorrow's itinerary. G was even able to prepare a late dinner for us at that time, amazing! :)

Sleep came late but I was glad to have a nice, warm bed again in a very welcoming home. I truly love my friends! :)

beyond belfast

First stop....

A visit to Downpatrick and St. Patrick's tomb...

In just one afternoon, only the snow didn't come out... Changing weather, indeed!

Another geologic treat for me! :)

Cave formations and I totally love the bacon...

belfast morning

belfast castle

woke up this morning feeling sicker than yesterday. pardon my grossness but today, my phlegm is the green type and i am just so hoping that i won't be as sick as i was late last year/early this year that i had to buy very expensive medicines just to help me get better. this reminds me that i had to see the doctor as soon as i arrive home. but aside from this, everything is great.


today, kuya and i went around belfast city. it's funny because our first stop was at a clothing store where kuya bought me a pink sweater of my own. as i have mentioned in previous posts, i didn't bring any warm clothes as i was thinking that summer would really be warm. i was wrong. so here i am, with a cute new pink sweater, that i don't really need (since ate lent me hers) but still happy to have.

next stop was another surprise. kuya took me to one of his favorite places -- a car dealership :) no wonder. i grew up knowing how his dad and my dad discuss vehicles. for sure it also rubbed on him. so there we were at charles hurst, going around and around looking at cool cars which are sold second hand: ferrari, range rovers, maserati, bmw and other famous european cars. the jaguars were parked in a closed area so we didn't see them. amazing, the cars are really cool! :)

we went to belfast castle next. it's so cool to know that a noble family has lived there and the whole area it sits on was theirs in the "old" times. the estate was really large and overlooks the city. it's cool thinking about how the people who lived there must have raced horses, walked in their walking attires, or partied in the estate lawns. i can just imagine it. it's like the setting for the medieval ages books that i read sometimes. :)

the next thing we went to was the town center, walking around the streets to see the belfast city hall, the prince albert clock, victoria square and it's viewdeck, checking out the perfumes at the department store, and lastly saw the filipino store at this one weekend market building. yet i think one of the coolest things we've done was pass by an asian warehouse where they sell foods that are familiar to me. i guess that it wouldn't be that bad living in a foreign land when you know that somewhere, there is an asian store where you can buy the ingredients to make your comfort food. when i travel, the markets are the one of the places i love going to because i can see in some ways how people live their lives and how they interact with each other. this was one nice experience.

tomorrow, we are going to a new place. it's going to be another great adventure!

sidetrips

 Home of the best Irish whiskey, they say :) 
This is just a stone's throw away from the causeway (sort of)...

Dunluce Castle

Belfast Shipyard

Cl asked me if I know how the ship was taken out of this "hole." I could not remember so she explained that there were small holes around the walls and when it was time for the Titanic to take its journey, they opened the holes to let the water in (like a dam, perhaps) so that the ship could float and navigate its way out. How cool is that? Apparently, I have a very cheap happiness. Facts such as this amazes me. Hahaha!

blessing

Amidst all the joy and wonder that we have seen today, it is still a great source of awe, joy and thanksgiving to encounter God's providence above all else -- He did not let the house burn down today.

It seems that we had forgotten to turn off the burner before we left the house before lunch today and there was a pan with oil sitting atop the burner. When Ate arrived at the house around three in the afternoon, she smelled something burning and ran straight to the kitchen. And there it was, the burner was still turned on. We have been blessed that the house did not burn down!

Ate was concerned that if the house burned down, I'd lose my passport and won't be able to go home! As for me, I'm just thankful that the house did not burn down!

giant's causeway, baby!

posted 19/3/12

I missed going here the last time I was in the UK but never again. I just had to see this. The only request I had when I my family friends that I'd be visiting was that I get to see this. The trip took us around two hours as we took the scenic coastal route...

I have wanted to post just one picture for this post but I can't seem to help but want to post more. So please indulge me. After all, this was a dream come true! :)

Coastal road to the Giant's Causeway at Antrim

The beautiful columnar basalts are more prominent just around the bend...

Spheroidal weathering and lateritic soil...

Columnar basalt at their coolest! :)

It had been said that the Causeway was made by the giant Finn McCool so he can reach his nemesis at the other side of the island, Scotland. But when he found out that the other giant was bigger than him, he ran back and asked his mother to tell anyone who asks that he was just a baby. So when his enemy went looking for him, he was told that Finn was just a baby and so fearing that Finn could be bigger than him, he went back to his island and destroyed the causeway to prevent Finn from coming back. And so, the causeway stands as it is today.

I know that this story is just myth and I also know that these stones were made by geologic processes that began millions of years ago, but still, I love hearing the story. It might not have gotten the story right but if you're interested, you can look it up, too! :)

Contrasting colors as the lower portion probably reacts with water at high tide...

...and here is me, enjoying the vast columnar basalt around me... I could have stayed all day here :)

the immigration interview

This border immigration interview was the longest one that I had since I started traveling.

It started out when I approached the girl officer without a landing card. Ooops. I forgot all about it!

So I had to go out of the line, pick up a landing card, fill it in and then approached another officer and asked if I missed something. No, I didn't. Then she directed me to the male officer. I handed him my papers but he returned it and asked the first female officer to take me because he didn't have a stamp. Okay, so I went to the other counter only to be called back again as the officer was about to bring him the stamp.

So, the interview begins.

Why am I in Belfast? To visit family friends and to sightsee.
Where am I going? To Belfast.
Is this your first time here? Belfast, yes. UK, no.
Where will I be staying? At our family friend's.
How many days will I be spending in Belfast, in the UK? About one week.
Do I know anyone here? Yes, our family friend.
How do you know them? They are my father's godchildren through marriage.
How will I recognize them? (Ummm... I got confused here).... Ummm... They are outside waiting to pick me up. (I don't think that was exactly the right answer).
So, had my biometrics been taken in Manila? Yes.
Let's see. (And proceeded to ask me for my fingerprint on the machine).
Okay, that's good. So is this your first time here? Belfast, yes. UK, no.
When were you here before? I was a visiting student in Cambridge University when I was still in university.
How long did you stay then? One month.
So where will you be staying? At our friend's house. I have the address. Do you want it?
No, it's ok.
(And then runs through my passport again).
The stamps in your passport, are these for work or personal? Both.
Okay. (And proceeds to stamp my passport - finally!)
 It's okay now?, I asked. Yes, you may go through.
Thank you!

And so I picked up my bag, and when I turned around, I found myself alone in the immigration hall. I was the only one left.

*******

So happy to finally see Kuya, Ate and their two kids!!! :) I'm going to a Pinoy home with a nice, warm bed at last! :) At home, Kuya lent me his laptop so I could do FB and other stuff. Thank God! I need a PC to transfer all my pictures :D

of buses, trains and planes

I took these rides within 24 hours.

So after Teresa and I went around Madrid looking for Calle Bastero (where we finally found it in a place with lots of Chinese immigrants -- but not China Town), we had an early dinner as I had to catch my bus to Barcelona at around 11PM. I still have to pack some of my stuff.

I am grateful that Teresa and Chin (a Filipina volunteer in Spain), accompanied me to the train station to make that I get on the right train, going the right way, so I won't miss the bus. At Avenida Americana, I had to go around looking for the bus bay until I finally talked to a guy whose wife was around looking for it, too! Thankfully, this guy was accommodating and asked me to wait so we could all go together. In just a few minutes, his wife was hurrying us along as the bus was going to leave in a couple of minutes. Wow, I am just so grateful that I bought my ticket in advanced or else I would be running mad around the coach station buying the ticket and looking for the right bus!

I was seated on the left side of the bus. My seatmate was from Latin America, who does not really speak English. When asked if he enjoyed the "World Youth Day," he was so confused but when I translated this to "JMJ," he was really enthusiastic. Unfortunately, we didn't get to converse much because he doesn't really speak English and I don't speak Spanish well. The couple who helped me find the bus were seated behind me.

There was one stopover along the way but as the bus was kind of small (leg-wise), I didn't bother going out because it would just be too much hassle. I went back to sleep.

Early morning, we arrived in Barcelona. As I only have a couple of hours in the city, I decided to go to the Sagrada Familia. Luckily, the train station was just walking distance (I had to leave my bag in the very elusive-can't-find-them lockers, though, costing me 5Euros again!) but it was an effort to figure out the ticket machine even if there was English option to it. Hmmm. What kind of ticket should I buy?! So I pressed one, and when that didn't seem to work, I pressed another and put in some money. Later, one ticket appeared and after a few seconds, another one appeared! So I think I got an extra ticket which looked like a day ticket! :D And as I was curious if it was working, that was the ticket that I used to enter the station and it really worked! :)

So in the subway train, I spotted a Filipino whom I was shy to talk to at first but due to necessity, I walked up to him as we were leaving the train and asked if I was going the right way to see the Sagrada Familia. He said that I was and when we arrived at the steps going out of the subway, he gestured towards my back and said, "it's behind you." When I turned around, I didn't expect it to be quite that huge! I mean, I was literally just standing a couple of meters away from it. That was how close the station is. Writing this now, it made me think of the time when I left the station near the Big Ben in London and never really expecting to come out of the station standing smack at that tall building!

 

Unfortunately, I didn't have lots of time to go around and I had to go back pick my bag up, and get on a aeroporto bus. There were so many kind (but old) people around who helped me with where to take the bus. Maybe they appreciated me speaking in pidgin Spanish? I'm not quite sure but they were smiling. Or maybe they were making fun of me, that I was weird? Never mind. I got on the right bus anyway. The ticket that I got at the train station apparently does not work on the aeroporto bus so I had to pay around 4Euros, only for the bus to let me out on the wrong terminal! So I had to walk, and walk, and walk up to Terminal C where EasyJet was.

So there I was, sitting at the pre-departure area, eating my lunch which was the leftover from yesterday's picnic bag. It was not particularly yummy, but it will have to do until I get to Belfast and eat Pinoy food, cooked by Pinoys! :)

Last Day in Madrid

Good morning, Cuatros Vientos!

Woke up to a slightly cold morning that eventually turned hot in the middle of the morning. We started with a prayer and then a mass which was led by the Pope. Unfortunately, I only got bits and pieces of the service because it was all in Spanish (I really do need to study the language more!).

 Relatively clean area, right?

 In prayer, morning mass... 

Here are Gustavo and Mary, hoping to beat the people to the train. We didn't! :P

Right after the mass, we decided to leave right away so that we won't have a hard time at the Metro but when we got there, it was jampacked! We were separated for a while but found each other very fast. Inside the train wasn't any different. But amidst all the people, Gustavo was able to speak with a Madrileno who suggested a place where we can have lunch.

 Our final treat to ourselves. Lunch at a real Spanish bar and real Spanish sangria. Paid my last 20Euro bill here! LOL. I'm already missing the Sangria!

Gustavo's map. A very well used train map, indeed! My map and Mary's fared better than this! LOL.

Lunch, yes. This was our final lunch with each other, signaling the end of this wonderful journey. As Gustavo had said, if ever Mary and I will be in South America and near his country, we should let him know or else he'll be mad. I'm glad to have found these two great people amongst the millions of people here. Others I know had been skeptical about me finding companions online but I guess this was one great experience for me. It just shows that we can still find the nicest people wherever they may be when you have one goal in common and you have trust with each other. For me, they would forever be my friends. Even if we might not see each other anymore, in my heart, they will be there. I thank the Lord for giving me them.

 At one of the buildings at Plaza Colon

 So do you? And have you? :)

At last! Plaza Cibeles without the crowd. It's beautiful!

Last sightseeing in Madrid and dinner with Theresa before I leave for Barcelona at 11PM from the Ave. America coach station. Almost did not make it because I couldn't see the bay area for the coach. Lucky I met a guy who has the same problem and whose wife went around to ask questions. Later, the girl motioned for him to hurry and I just tagged along. Went we got to the upper level, the coach was almost full. I'm glad I had bought a ticket already or I would definitely miss my plane to Belfast the next day! I got seated with a Dominican guy on the bus who doesn't speak English and when I asked him if he had enjoyed the World Youth Day, he answered in Spanish that he doesn't know what the WYD was and that he attended the JMJ. Okay, my mistake. I should have said JMJ! :P When a guy on the other side of him asked what time we would be stopping for a break (in English), he tapped his friend and asked how to say 330am in English. Hehehe. Sometimes, it's really hard not being able to converse in English but sometimes, it's just too bad that we have not learned speaking in Spanish, too. Anyways, the kid was nice so I was patient with him. The couple I was with earlier were seated behind me.

The trip to Barcelona was uneventful. Well, what can I say? It was late and it's dark outside so I slept :P

Day 5

After the very nice breakfast at school, I finally headed to Puerto del Sol station to meet up with Mary and Gustavo. From there, we decided to walk around for a bit then head to the nearest station that would take us near the Cuatro Vientos. My goodness, the walk towards that place was so tiring and it was so hot! Some people would even sprinkle water for us from their apartment windows! Others turn their hoses on so that other pilgrims can cool themselves. There are also those who take advantage of the event and set up shops along the road selling cold drinks. As for us, we decided to sit down.

 Carol, Aims, Kuya, am I back home?

 

 At Plaza Mayor again! 

Can't really believe I've finally seen a place I've only heard before in my Spanish class!

We would have gone on walking when one of the Pinoys I've met there told us that they're waiting coz the Pope's entourage were going to pass here. So we waited and waited and waited some more. 

Finally, we saw the Pope!!! 

(I thought I had it all recorded only to find out that I haven't pressed the record button. Argh!)

Zoom option from Gustavo's camera. You can imagine how close we were! It was so exciting!

Upon arriving at Cuatros Vientos, everything was just so dry and dustry. There were a lot of people everywhere that it was hard at first to find a shade where we can rest a bit. Along the way, we decided to pick up our picnics and had Gustavo do it for us (hehehe). Finally we found a place near the one of the booths that were set up to sell WYD items. As the day wore on, I had to go to one of the WCs. There were lots of WCs set up but the one nearest us had some cubicles that do not have water running anymore, certain places were already flooded and the queue was very, very long! :( The nice thing about it though was that nobody (or not too many) complained about it and were just patiently waiting for their turn. Oh! It was also weird for me to see that others get their drinking water from the WC faucet. Uhmmm... The water must be clean (and definitely cold) but as someone who comes from a place where one should be wary of drinking water from the toilet, this was a bit of a 'weird' moment for me.

 Near the WYD booth when we arrived

 This was how it was only an hour or two...

Our picnic bag has this paper where they suggest what to eat for lunch, dinner and breakfast the next day. This was one of those stuff inside. Yummy!

As the day wore on, the sun was just getting high and it was so hot and we ended up taking our siesta where we were sitting. When we woke up, we were surrounded by more people than before. Later, we decided to move on and go to our designated place. As I am nearer the stage at D, we first decided to go there and try to see if we all can get through the D area but we ended up staying at the concrete space in between G and H. Lucky for us though because later that night, when we were having the vigil with the Pope, lightning and rain came, getting all our stuff wet! Mary and I even had to take cover inside our sleeping bags! How unlucky we would have been if we got into D. Not only would we be wet, but our stuff would be so dirty because the place was just uncovered earth.

Mary and I also got to talk to a girl from the other group beside us who's also from California. We hit it off because Mary also lives in California and the girl is Fil-Am and speaks Filipino. It was a nice treat for us to be making friends, even for just that night, with the other pilgrims. 

Area H at Cuatro Vientos. The stage is so far away that the sound arrives later than 

the one from the radio coverage! LOL.

Around us! So may plastic bags. I thought when they said a picnic basket, it would be a basket. No, it's plastic bag. Hehehe. Imagine the trash that we would all have made by tomorrow!

During the vigil, strong winds also accompanied the rain. Even the Pope's cap flew, halting the prayer for a while. Late that night, under the stars, we tried to sleep on damp sleeping bags. I know I'm kinda getting sick already so all I did was pray that I won't be too sick that I won't be able to enjoy the rest of my trip. I prayed that if ever I do get sick, it will come when I'm back home.

I thought I won't be able to sleep that night but maybe because of the tiresome day we had, I finally fell asleep with all these other pilgrims around me, under the stars, praying with the Pope, saying the same prayers.

I love it!