Sembreak
I never thought that I would experience again the beauty of sembreak. I just want to feel that I am a student now only that I'm taking up masters degree and not bachelor. Anyway, my vacation was in Ilocos Norte. It is a great comeback for me because Ilocos is my birthplace and my mother's root came from.
The ride in going to Ilocos took us 81/2 hours of travel. We rode in Maria De Leon Bus for 750php which is their Deluxe. The chair can bend as if you are sleeping on a bed, the aircon is not so cold though I was prepared and I brought with me a 'batik' blanket that we bought in Davao before which is nice and beautiful. I was the only passenger whose awake almost the whole travel. Maybe because the bus was so fast and I actually have fear in speed but It must be the coffee that I drank in our home that kept me awake. When we arrived in laoag, My Uncle Michael fetched us and he treated us for a breakfast in Dawangs San Nicholas. The food was amazing, they served crispy dinuguan, baliktad, a soup which I did not remember the name of it but awesome food and tinuno which is basically broiling pieces of meat over live charcoal. It is eaten with tomato slices and best dipped in Iloko vinegar. When I had my breakfast, I realized that Ilokanos are meat lovers because almost all dishes in my plate are meat and pork.
After we ate, we go home to our family house, it was big and I missed our house because there were so many childhood memories that I could remember when my grandparents were still alive. Nothing changed in the house, same garage, same appliances and sala set, the frame and pictures before were the still the same and even the bed and curtains in the bedroom were not changed at all. It makes the house look really old but can still be live by. My cousin who was invited us for his wedding fetched me to go to Fort Ilocandia because I am part of the entourage, leaving my family at home. We rode van and I had opportunity to see the beauty of Fort Ilocandia. I was amazed because the rooms are modern though the television is not yet flat hd screen tv but it was clear and their is balcony for every room. The toilet is very nice though it is not spacious as what the hotels here in Manila.
The wedding was just an ordinary wedding here in the Philippines but the most fun part for me was the gathering the day after the wedding. They called it 'padaya', a festive party whether it is birthday, baptism or wedding, they served all Ilocano food with abundance and glory to all their relatives and neighbors. I witnessed that women in their neighbors are all helping in cooking the food, washing the dishes and preparing for the party while some men also helped in cooking. Neighbors had the chance to take out some food for their family. It was fun to witness and experience this!
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