Paradise Found

I wanted to do it. Everyone’s doing it, I tell myself, so why can’t I. They say it’s like being in paradise, and the thought of attaining such delights invaded me, consumed me. So I planned everything down to the last detail as I was wont to do. Finally, it happened, and the pleasure was such that I was certain every moment of my twenty-one years was spent priming myself for it: I went to Boracay.

A couple of firsts for me: first time to breach Luzon borders and first time to fly. That was a bit scary at first. As we approached full takeoff velocity I tried my hardest not to think about the paper airplanes I made when I was a kid (launch, glide, crash). I gradually relaxed when the craft became stable. I actually enjoyed the view outside, and for a person with an extreme fear of heights that is saying something. Half an hour later we (I was with my mom and my sister) touched down at Roxas City in Capiz. From there we took a van to Kalibo, then transferred vehicles before aiming for Caticlan. The land ride was a long four hours, but the view was nothing short of exhilarating as the automobile tore through vast expanses of green fields and mountainsides. At the Caticlan port we boarded a boat bound for the famed island (insert mental picture of paper boats here). About fifty meters from the shore you see it: clear, blue-green water lapping at a long stretch of off-white sand. I was taken aback, suddenly realizing that the celebrity sightings will settle for a sorry second place after this wonder of nature.

I developed some sort of rhythm when I got there. A hurried breakfast, swimming, lunch, afternoon nap, swimming and/or sunbathing, dinner, and coffee + people watching completed my typical day. And when we weren’t in the water, I, with my mom and sis, scoured the talipapa for fabulous finds. Island life grew on me, as it probably did on the other vacationers. (Note: During the first hour I spent in Boracay, I swear I saw more foreigners than natives. They were everywhere.)

We spent New Years’ Eve differently. Usually we’d be readying media noche an hour before midnight struck, then we’d light sparklers, lusis, etc. when the new year officially arrived (we were never huge fans of firecrackers). After that we’d eat, then watch some TV before finally going to bed. This year was actually my first year to join a throng of people counting down to the new year. It was fun, but also a tad lonely to be in the midst of strangers… and the strange-looking. Suddenly I missed my dad, and also my three toddler cousins. Hmmm, the human dilemma of non-contentment. Anyway, we trooped over to Café del Sol, which was not far from the spot where the fireworks were being launched, and had coffee. We were sitting outside, happily replenishing our caffeine stores, then Geoff Eigenmann walks by. Three minutes later, his brother AJ struts along. A few breaths after that, a third Eigenmann (Ryan) follows suit. Ho-hum. People watching is such a blast. Other personalities I saw during my stay in Boracay: Gina Alajar (no shocker), Alex Compton, Eric Menk, Rudy Hatfield, Anne Curtis, Chinggay Andrada, Tuesday Vargas (or was it someone in drag?), Miguel Zubiri, Marc Nelson, Greg Martin, Jackie Forster, Cindy Kurleto, Joey Mead, Robby Mananquil, and a lot of models, including Diego the soccer guy from the Pond’s commercial whom my sister got introduced to. Phew. Paris Hilton was also there, she said hello but I totally snubbed her. Serves her right for saying “that’s hot” one time too many. Kidding. Aiiee, I almost forgot. I saw Bianca, a friend from high school, who said she was there with the whole clan.

The next night we had drinks while watching a duo perform live. I had a screwdriver, Jackie had a tequila sunrise, and Mom had a margarita. I tasted them all, and figured I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart if I tried.

Tinatamad na akong magkwento. Before ending this, a list of my Boracay favorites:
1. Ai Pazzi’s calamares
2. Café del Sol’s raspberry cream frappe
3. my new tan
4. lying in the sand until I pass out
5. hot showers after sunbathing

On the flight home, I sat up with a start, realizing that I’ve almost forgotten to do something I’ve sworn to do every time I go out of town. So I coughed tentatively, vocalized, and started humming…

the saddest sight my eyes can see
is that big ball of orange sinking slyly down the trees
sittin in a broken circle while you rest upon my knee
this perfect moment will soon be leaving me

suzanne calls from boston the coffee's hot the corn is high
and that same sun that warms your heart will suck the good earth dry
with everything it's opposite enough to keep you crying
or keep this old world spinning with a twinkle in its eye

get out the map, get out the map and lay your finger anywhere down
we'll leave the figuring to those we pass on our way out of town
don't drink the water there seems to be something ailing everyone
i'm gonna clear my head, i'm gonna drink that sun
i'm gonna love you good and strong while our love is good and young

joni left for south africa a few years ago
and then beth took a job all the way over on the west coast
me, I’m still trying to live half a life on the road
well, it seems I’m heavier by the years, oh, heavier by the load

so why do we hurtle ourselves through every inch of time and space
i must say around some corner I can sense a resting place
with every lesson learned, a line upon your beautiful face
we'll amuse ourselves one day with these memories we'll trace

Please visit www.indigogirls.com for more info on the Girls. I’ll be posting pics of my Boracay sojourn as soon as I can.