On Having a Good Trip

I've been meaning to write about my recent trip back home to the Philippines. It's been 4 years since I left, hopeful of making a name for myself and starting my life here. Looking back, I realize how much I missed while I was gone. How much has changed.

The main reason I went home was to attend my younger sister's college graduation. She was the last one of my siblings to finish college. I was planning on going home mid-March till early April, but plans change and things happen. I ended up going much later, attending a cousin's wedding as well.

The airplane rides left much to be desired, but I guess I shouldn't complain because they were cheap fares. More than anticipated were the hours spent sitting down, waiting and just dealing with whom I was stuck with for most of the flights. A book. some movies, food, and sleep helped out at least.

I arrived really late into the night, but my siblings and cousins were eager to see me. It felt good, knowing that someone was waiting. Soon as we left the airport, we grabbed food to eat and late night cups of coffee. That was when I started seeing just how different everything was. Buildings that weren't there now towered over the roads. What was once nothing but some foot bridges, now covered in concrete highways suspended by large, thick columns of the same material. I looked around as we drove down, heading towards home.

At least the house was as I remembered it, though 4 years did a number on it. My old room, which I shared with my brothers, still the same. Same wall paint color, same vinyl flooring, but the roof was worse than I last saw it.

After settling in, getting my bearings, and adjusting to the heat, I managed to feel at home again. Then it was day after day of going places I used to go, and doing things I used to do. One of which was using the public transit. Though some routes were changed, it was more or less what I was used to back in college. I missed that feeling, the open aired jeepneys, the smell of the inside of a van, the cramped closeness of the trains. There's nothing like it.

Another thing I missed was the food. A lot of the stuff I missed were home-cooked meals, street foods, and things considered local to the places I went to. Though I wish I had more time to eat more of the stuff I wanted, I couldn't really get to them as I hoped I would. I just hope they'll be there when I come back again.

I did say that I came back to attend events, and that meant meeting old acquaintances and seeing people I havent spoken to in almost half a decade. I did meet some of them, glad to know that they're doing well. There are a few that I would love to have met again, but I realize that it's for the best that I don't let old flames rekindle. They've moved on, probably forgot I exist, maybe even erased me from their lives entirely. That's fine. Only one of us needs to remember.

Then there were those who came waltzing back in, thinking things will be the same as they used to be before I left. Things should have gone better, but again, I think it's for the best I dont reconnect with them.

All in all, it was a good trip. I had a great time, honestly. I wish I didnt have to attend so many things, but maybe next time I'll try for a trip without any. Maybe even do it when it isn't so damn hot. Maybe I'll meet with someone, and things might pick up from where we left off, maybe not.

Who knows? Won't know till we get there.