Hot and Cold

 



Location: Baguio City, Philippines

When we added Baguio to our itinerary we never realized we were about to visit the place at the height of the yearly Panagbenga flower festival. Some of our contacts have told us, while we were traveling our way down  from Ilocos Norte, that it was already impossible to come through because of the heavy traffic caused by tourists coming from different parts of Metro Manila. We knew it was also impossible to book a hotel but we took our chances and stayed positive that somehow, somewhere, someone would offer us a place to stay. We reached Baguio 10:30 pm and saw large groups of people flocking from every street corner. We knew right then and there that we stood no chance of getting a room. We tried anyway but to no avail. We ended up sleeping in the car parked right outside Mine's View Park and almost froze to death because we didn't get the chance to change into more weather-appropriate clothes. I was still wearing my shorts from our Pagudpud trip and my feet went numb  a couple of times during sleep. All ten of us were able to sleep for four hours cramped up in the van . Came morning, the usual shower and toothbrush  was replaced with a meager wet tissue wipes and a couple of mouthwash gargle. hahaha I know that sounds gross but the situation gave us just that. It was extraordinarily cold that early morning so we ended up buying scarves and gloves to protect us from the cold.

The temperature went up by the time it was 10 am and turned really hot by 12 nn. I was already getting uncomfortable by the minute with the bulky layers so I decided to change into my trusty denim shorts but opted to retain the socks coz my feet usually gets cold. The carbon dioxide emission from cars and buses and huge amount of people was the culprit why Baguio heated up like that.

We didn't really get to experience the cold breeze that we went for but the whole bittersweet experience made it more fun and one for the books! :)

Baguio, you know i still love you. :)

wearing:

(channeling the 70's hippie)

70's flare jeans - thrifted 

Multicolored top - thrifted 

Denim shorts - thrifted 

Leather jacket - thrifted

Leather/woven belt - both thrifted 

Camel shoulder bag - thrifted 

Black hat - Metro Gaisano

Violet beanie - from Baguio

Viva Vigan

Location: Vigan Heritage Street || Baluarte, Ilocos Sur, Philippines

Walking through the cobblestone street of Old Vigan is such a wonderful experience for a history buff like me. It's amazing how the people of Vigan have preserved their heritage. Even the guards in the area look like Spanish guardia civils in their uniforms. Modern fast food chains are also obliged (i think) to mimic their facade to the old Spanish era structures.

The calesa  ride is a great way to get around the city's numerous historical places like museums and jar factories and take note they are not overpriced. A calesa which seats up to three people costs only PhP150/hour ($3/hour). And museums charge a minimum of PhP10 pesos only. The Baluarte, the vast land converted into an African Safari park by the owner Gov. Chavit Singson, takes tourists and visitors for free.

Kudos to the heritage administration people for a job well done.