The very first time I joined a tour with total strangers: Banaue rice terraces  (10 hr bus ride from Manila)

 I didn't have any choice, unless I was willing to pay the whole amount for the tour. Anyway, it turned out to be fun and these guys shared their life stories during the trek. Very inspiring travel stories, humors, worries, and basically, anything under the sun. We trekked through the mountains, crossing the gorgeous rice terraces, view was just spectacular!! I remember standing on the tip of the mountain, yes practically on the edge, admiring the beauty right in front of us, one of them said, " this reminds me so much of Peru!". We stood there for a while. Then, decided to have lunch in one of the local restaurants with very entertaining kids who sang "Asin" songs for us. After lunch, we headed to Tappiah water falls, trek was tougher this time, considering it was all downhill. I was anxious about going back, I knew it will kill my legs!! True enough it did!!

Halfway on our way back to our ride , I felt my legs were giving up. Saved by the rain!! It poured so hard that we needed to find shelter, a shade along the road. I remember using a banana leaf as an umbrella. It was in the afternoon and was getting cold but we needed to get back in time for our shuttle. So we braved the rain, and I was left behind with the tour guide. I was practically dragging my legs up to those huge steps !! Seriously, it wasn't meant for locals or Asians!! My last 5 steps up were such a struggle, but these guys cheered and were screaming " go Joie go"!!!:(( I told them, " this stairs is meant for Europeans"!!:((

We went back to the hotel, cold & hungry!! The very first time I took a shower with damn cold water!!:((  Had dinner  along with a French guy who became a friend too.
I'll never look at strangers the same way again. :)

I just had my nightcap in one of my favorite getaways - "My secret garden":)

Enjoyed the moonlit night with fine breeze, gazed at the moon and a million thoughts. I attempted spending times like this without thinking of anything. Trying to practice meditation, but always failed. Then I realized, how people miss the simple pleasures that life has to offer just because, we always wish we were somewhere else. Yesterday, I was in a great mood swing, it's a woman thingy and I tell you, not funny!! I told a friend that I wanna be away from everyone and everything. Believing I can escape my miseries. Wishing I was somewhere else. It reminded me of getting the same mood swings even while I was on a holiday. There are just things that we are and can never be in control of.

But we can control things by becoming more aware of the things that comes for free, like they say those are the best things in life.

So tonight, I promised myself, it doesn't matter where I am and where I wanna be, I chose be happy. This is going to be an endless practice, but what I practice I will become. :)