Woke up disoriented and burning. I thought I had a fever churning. And then I remembered. I am back in my own room after 4 nights of sleeping in different places.

I have been a witness to the glorious beauty of The Cordilleras and am still struck dumb on how I’d recount this experience coherently.

I remember being nervous in meeting and conversing with new people, entrusting your life with people you haven’t met before, and generally being my usual pessimistically raised, paranoid, only-child-syndromed self.

But then, the sights were amazing! The mountain range was arranged in a wide stretch for my eyes to feast on. The air was cool and clean and with expansive gulps I devoured - ready to experience and absorb….. everything.

Met interesting, passionate, amazing, creative and outstanding people. Emil with his surprising McGyver skills, Ben with his never-ending patience. JP with his remarkable culinary expertise!

Revelled in the intense power of Ambuklao Dam and its endless downpour

Walked with the rain pounding on my back in a muddy mountain trail with my bare foot strapped in sandals.

Lost footing three times and almost died (JP said probably not, but I disagree, there was nothing but air to catch me if he wasn’t able to grip my arm).

Slept with the windows open and butterflies flying about a room, with a still moth in the wall.

Slept in a tent, underneath the stars, in cold, biting air.

Slept in a 4x4 while its wheels were clobbering against a rocky road, the seatbelt digging against my clavicles, and my head bobbing all over the passenger’s seat.

And I slept soundly and peacefully like never before.

I climbed mountains. And walked.  Endlessly.  My sandal-strapped feet were no match against the rocks and sand. I used my bare hands to grip rocks and soil, bore a lot of scratches from the blade grass as well.

Found out that the descent was even more difficult. There were countless of times I wanted to cry in frustration on how I would go down the steep trails without breaking my inexperienced neck. Ben found me a good walking stick that I could use for support, but mostly I just used my butt to slide myself down the steep, dry slope.

Proved that saying “fuck” in succession, sitting on a rock and trying to conjure a helicopter doesn’t do anything. Nothing will ever work if I didn’t move my butt and just go down. Realized that if I didn’t stand up and just dare to go down, then I would forever be in that same place. Unmoving, accomplishing nothing, and stuck.

As with all other things, we treasure things we work hard for. The climb towards Pongasan cave and making it back to the valley is my favourite part of this trip.

Ate one of the best pastas ever! JP’s “The Pongasan Pasta” which contains God knows what.

Witnessed simple people leading simple lives. But simplicity doesn’t mean ordinary. I met courteous, timid, warm, tireless, hardworking, extraordinary people. Fishermen, fish sellers, farmers, the lowlanders and the highlanders. All were part of this glorious, breathtaking place!

Peed on the grass! Butt-naked in ice cold weather!

Woke up early to watch the sun rise. It was a hedonist’s dream. The early morning sky in its vast entirety topped the intimidating mountains, while the sun plays peek-a-boo. The lake confined by the earth, reflected the majestic rays. There were moments  I wanted to weep in astonishment with all that I’m witnessing and I feel blessed for being given that privilege. In our fast-paced lives we forget to wait for stuff like these. The morning alarm will ring; we turn it off to snooze, be grumpy and bargain for more minutes of sleep.

Hardened blisters, dirty nails, scratches in my arms, oily hair, 2 days of bathing only in sweat, sun-kissed, happy.

Saw the vast expanse of the mountain range, how mountains merge and meet, divide and disperse. It was so high up I feel the clouds moving against my skin.

Met a series of unfortunate events that in its own wild way, became a part and parcel of what it takes to be in the wild.

Recognized that the unexpected will continually harass and keep you in your toes.

Events lead to other events and it’s all a part of the grand master plan that is:

To be. Whatever it takes.

We dared to be and as a reward, we became.

 

 hard core :)