“It’s like the States.” Our parents would usually say whenever we drive along the Skyway. Many years ago, they’ve travelled the US coast to coast by land and the view of the interstate highways must have summoned a similar image.
We packed the sandwiches D. made and snacked on them in the car for a short trip that would take us to Tagaytay, then to Nasugbu. We are attending a friend’s wedding as candle sponsors, followed by an overnight excursion with little one, Lolo and Lola. Since they would graciously take care of I. while we attend the wedding, we insisted on getting the tab for trip. They will, after all, get everything on a 20% senior discount. Along with the life-long free movie pass, a senior card was one of things that made us look forward to growing old together.
We checked-in at a zen-inspired bed and breakfast called T House. The shampoo smelled of green tea. A comforting silence came about with a cool highland breeze. There were plenty of deck chairs, quiet spots, and white outdoor sofas. They served tea and cookies to the room right before bedtime.
The weather was perfect for the bulalo we sipped at the restaurant for lunch. At dinner, we inhale more of that crisp mountain air and go out to the city for tawilis, sinigang and beer. At breakfast the following morning, we had the most neatly-arranged beef tapa with a fruit bowl, bread bowl and free flowing coffee.
We talk some more, read the papers and take pictures. I started on a new book. A little while later, lunch followed and we had more tawilis at another restaurant with a nice view of the lake and volcano. Before we back to the city, we shop for Pasalubong – ube jam by the nuns of Good Shepherd. Before heading home, there’s another side trip to the Mahogany Market for more beef, potted plants and herbs.
D. and I probably had the most food on this trip, as we also had the buffet at the wedding. The caterer served an excellent Blue Marlin, which probably tasted better because we were witnessing two friends be bound together by love. We also saw the most successful money dance we’ve ever seen. Their choreographed dance number was amusingly executed. This was a very well-attended wedding but the guests mostly aren’t all necessarily from Manila. They were from around town and it guests that made this wedding big gave it a warm, country feel.
A wedding, and staying in a B&B made this a Tagaytay sojourn. We engaged in long conversations with Mama and Papa, let the little one run around or carry him around, told him to say “tree” or “bird” as we sip coffee or finish breakfast or lunch. I was looking at everyone, wordlessly speaking or gesturing a zen mantra with a sweeping, enlightened smile: this is this.
We took the Skyway again on the way home. I wondered if anyone of us still thought if this was anything like the States. I’ve never been to the states, and they must have have better highways. Someone might have thought whole thing was cliché, or even cheap, but I sure love my own.
