06 March 2010

Even before I went on this trip, I already planned to go to Vigan City. Last time I was there was back in July, and because I have already set to save my moolah for a laptop, this was the only chance I see to go to my favorite place. However, as I pack my bags the night before, I had hesitations. I guess it's about me not wanting to let the money in my hands "slip away," but at one point in time, I told myself I will not push through. I don't know what's in me, but before I head to dream land, I decided I will go to Vigan.

I have traveled to Vigan countless times already, but I still don't know what time the bus arrives in Bacnotan. I know it's about 6:30 AM, so I left at around 6:15AM. Imagine my dismay and disappointment when it was already 7:00AM and I was still at the bus stop! Now I realized why I had my hesitations the night before.

I told myself that by 8:30AM and I am still at the same place, I will just go back home and travel back to Manila come night time. I guess the heavens was playing tricks on me... the bus came 8:25AM on my cell phone's time. Har har. However.. it was a bit too late, that I scratched off Sta. Maria Church off my list of places to see. If the bus had arrived at 6:30AM, I would've made a side trip to this church because it's part of my 2008 places to revisit. Aside from that, I wasn't able to see the cemetery near the church the first time I went there, and I wanted to see it. Oh well... I guess for now I will just content myself with a picture of the church from the bus' window. :D

I arrived in Vigan City around 11AM. Like what I always do, I left my luggage at the bus' terminal. From there I planned on taking more pictures from the Simbaan a Bassit (literally meaning "small church" from the Ilocano dialect), a church by the cemetery. Last time I was there I forgot to take a picture of the facade (geez)! But, because the pottery factories were nearer the bus terminal, I hoped to take pictures of it, too. I was hoping to check the RG Pottery, but the owner was by the terrace of the house, and I was a bit hesitant to come in since I am not really buying anything - I will just take pictures. Fronting the RG Pottery was another pottery factory, owned by Fidel Go. I saw a coaster van by the driveway, and sensing a group of people might be there, I came in.

There was a family inside the factory, and although I wasn't able to see Mr. Go, I was able to take pictures of how they create the pots. I asked one of the workers if I can roam around to take pictures, and he gladly allowed me to - even let me check out the oven where they cook the pots! :)

After this, I head straight to the Simbaan a Bassit, then ate my lunch in Jollibee.

Not having any umbrella nor a bottled water on hand, I walked to the Cathedral, said prayers, took pictures... then walked to the Arsobispado, then to the Salcedo Park, then to the Provincial Capitol. From there I took the tricycle to Baluarte.

It's not actually part of the "places to revisit" list, but having pictures of the butterflies is one of my missions for this month because I wanted to take part of something. Chasing the butterflies was tough, but happy I was to have that one picture that satisfied me. I was in Baluarte for nearly two hours - a good way to be out of the sun.


From Baluarte, I took the tricycle to the Crisologo Museum. Pictures, pictures.. then as I leave, the caretaker told me the Calle Crisologo was two blocks away. Really?!? Had I known, K and I should've just walked back in 2008 instead of taking the tricycle (we stayed at the Cordillera Inn along Calle Crisologo back then). Sigh... I walked along the street then head straight to Padre Burgos Park because I wanted to eat empanada and okoy for snacks. I had one big empanada and one okoy... I still love the ones served at Irene's, but the food I ate made me so full I might not eat dinner anymore.


Come dusk, I went back to Calle Crisologo. This is my favorite part of the city, and I seriously can just walk around or sit in one of the benches and watch as the horse drawn carriages and people pass by.


I was told at the bus terminal that the last bus to Manila will leave at 8:30PM, but as early as 7PM, I already left Calle Crisologo, walked towards the Cathedral, took a last shot, and hailed a tricycle to the terminal where I waited for the trip home. I am glad I didn't call off this trip. It's great to be in Vigan again. Capping off this recap, I'll sum it with a text message I received from a friend, "If you have a chance to take the moment that you know will be memorable, grab it! Always think that the word NEXT TIME is always too far."

I reached home 6AM of the next day.

*** Jenn ***