It was afternoon and I remember sitting by the River Wear, staring at the Durham Cathedral and wishing time would stand still. The water was flowing under Prebends bridge and to say the whole scene was picture-perfect is an understatement. I found my corner, a small bench farther up the riverside footpath. If I could I would go back and stay there.

I was on the last stretch of my European adventure so that morning I took off to explore the city of Durham on my own. With hand-written instructions in hand I took the bus and the train (which I loved doing there) and walked to the Durham cathedral. I strolled down the cobblestone streets, checked the food stalls, and vowed to go back later. I bought myself a cup of coffee and I was all set.

When I got to the cathedral, the wonderful lines of the interior just took my breath away. The past few days of my vacation I saw beautiful architecture but this church still didn't fail to amaze me. Giving myself just a few minutes to get a first impression, I decided to take on the challenge of climbing the stairs up to the tower and enjoying the view. Two charming old women by the tower entrance asked me if I was physically fit to climb up the 325 steps and I told them proudly, 'I just did Notre Dame last week,' forgetting to mention that I huffed and puffed with what seemed like a French Herculean task.

So I made my way and started what seemed like a relatively easy job. But halfway up I started to feel the sharp, cool, piercing air enter my chest with every breath. It didn't help that the stairs got narrower with every step. I held on to the cold metal railing for dear life because my boot could just slip anytime. I know I was so happy with my vacation I thought I could die right there, but I didn't want to take things too literally.

When I finally got to the top, wind brushing over my face, a magnificent view greeted me. It washed away my exhaustion. From the tower I could see the river flowing through the numerous beautiful storybook bridges, quaint shops and buildings. Everything seemed so peaceful. I took in all of the beauty around me and then started the journey 325 steps down. The sticker that says I went up all of the steps at Durham was the cherry on top.

Before I got out of the cathedral, I sat down on one of the benches and said a little prayer. I thanked the Lord for giving me the chance to see another side of the beautiful world I'm in. I was brimming with joy that I got to see these all places and people. Every waking day of my trip I was filled with excitement and I realized it has been a long time since I felt that jolt. The thought almost brought a tear out of my eye. That moment, I was genuinely happy.

I took a quick lunch al fresco. A French guy who called me mademoiselle was selling prawnies and taters and by that time I thought I could use a huge serving from him. Funny, when I looked around that market square I saw pieces of my trip brought altogether in one place – French bread and pastries, Spanish Paella, British fish and chips. I've come full circle.

As my trip to Durham came to an end, I sat on that bench by the Prebends bridge. Thinking about my last few days in Newcastle and in Europe, I was sad that my adventure was close to done. But with the beauty that was surrounding me, I could only smile. The sun even glimpsed out of the usually cloudy British sky. It's as if the warm rays were telling me to cheer up and be happy. I took everything in, put my hands in my warm pockets, and made my way down the footpath. Like my hands, I was all warm and fuzzy inside too.

I'm not sure how I remembered it or how i happened. All I know is that when it dawned on me, I was genuinely surprised. But somehow I realized that for the first time I left Cebu without shedding a single tear.

I'm not sure how I remembered it or how i happened. All I know is that when it dawned on me, I was genuinely surprised. But somehow I realized that for the first time I left Cebu without shedding a single tear.

Should I be alarmed? Is this a sign that my emotional attachment to the place has diminished, therefore making me immune to bouts of separation anxiety? Does this lack of the usual drama signify that I have come to terms with the fact that Cebu is no longer my home?

Should I be relieved? This may mean that finally I have overcome the nervous energy surrounding every goodbye. If that is true then it's about time. I have been coming in and out of Cebu for 11 years now and it's right that I learn to deal with it.

Does this simply mean that I had a terrific time?
Maybe the happy moments were enough to overpower the sadness of leaving everyone behind. And the prospect of going back someday can certainly help in making leaving easier. No goodbyes, just see you soon's.

Maybe it's not just one of those reasons, but all of them rolled into one. I may not have shed a single tear that one time but that doesn't mean I'm not sad. I just keep on remembering, no goodbyes.

February 9-10, 2011
MRT

Sent from my iPod

En Route

I love airports. There's something about them that makes them all alike wherever in the world they are. I'm always filled with anticipation and excitement whenever I enter one, with a bag (or a couple) and plane ticket in hand.

There's something about people-watching in an airport. I sit and wonder about other people's destinations, their upcoming adventures, the business they have to take care of at the next stop. Families, friends, lovers, lone travelers are all brought together by trips of different intents and purposes.

And when the passengers have gotten off, the luggage claimed, and the plane cleared for another takeoff, it's wonderful to see excited tourists drive off to their escapade and families happily reuniting. As I step out of the airport and into a new or familiar place, I realize the trip is just as thrilling as the destination.

As I sit here waiting for my flight I realize why airports feel like they're all the same. It's the feeling I get facing the prospect of new experiences, visiting foreing places, being with old friends again, or going back home. Sure, the waiting can be a bit tiring but it's only because a destination is awaiting my arrival.

February 4, 2011
NAIA terminal 3
Waiting to get on a plane to Cebu :)

In the Land of Fish & Chips

My sister and I were in search of a fish and chips place in London and so we had to rely on good old google to find one. One chilly afternoon we found ourselves getting on the Underground and getting off at Covent Garden. Our quest was temporarily derailed by all the interesting shops around so when we finally got to searching for out real destination, it was time for dinner.

Off we went to Rock and Sole Plaice along Endell St., just off the theater rows at West End. It's nothing fancy, just a small eatery with movie and play posters scattered around the walls, coupled with non-appetizing flourescent lighting. We ordered, what else? A plate of fish and chips with some mushy peas. The huge battered fish were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. They were perfectly paired with huge potato wedges and a serving of mashed peas. Don't forget to squeeze a lemon slice over the fish and pour some malt vinegar on it as well. Simple, but delicious.

I thoroughly enjoyed, along with the flavors, the experience of tasting my first authentic fish and chips. I always say that one of the higlights of travelling is the food, because it gives you a glimpse into a people's culture and everyday living. Plus, I just love to eat. We left Rock & Sole with full stomachs and a postcard to remember it by. Someday I plan to relive the experience...Does this means 2012 Olympics?

My 2010

The New Year always makes me wax sentimental over the year that has passed. And now that 2011 is upon us, I’ve taken a bit of time look at how phenomenal my 2010 has been.

The first part of my year was spent taking care of my visa applications so I could make my European dreams come true. Being the obsessive-complusive that I am, I didn’t want to leave out any details. I do everything to get what I want and that situation was absolutely no exception. The whole process was filled with anticipation and stress over the outcome, but I stayed focused and positive. My notebook and cabinet door hopefully displayed photos of my destination countries, giving me a glimpse of what I wished was to come. And it did come! The opportunity to travel made me realize how strong and courageous I am as an individual, contrary to what I sometimes think. It made me realize how small I am compared to the world that is waiting for me to discover. It is very refreshingly unnerving to take that step out your hotel door and not know exactly where to go, the people you’re about to meet, the sights and sounds that you are about to witness. I awakened a passion that I always knew was in me but never knew in what magnitude. The whole experience will always and forever be one of the happiest ones in my life and I will look back fondly at it as I make more travel memories in the future.

In June I went back to my home, Cebu. As always, I was greeted with warm hugs and smiles and took great comfort in the people I grew up with. The whole experience inspired me to write a blog entry which led to another highlight of my year. I submitted that essay to the Philippine Daily Inquirer and it was published in the Youngblood section. You can only imagine my excitement seeing my name on print, since it has been one of my childhood dreams to be published in the country’s top broadsheet even just as a one-time contributor. That gave me a boost to continue writing whenever I have the time because I had almost forgotten the joy of being able to share my thoughts and feelings in a way that is very personal and sincere.

This year has also been very kind to me as it brought in a steady stream of work. They say God always provides and I can attest to that. I know I shouldn’t complain but I do sometimes and I regret that. What matters is I have the means to make a living and I should give the best that I can in whatever I do. Few are fortunate to work in the company of friends and I am one of those who are blessed with that chance. Hopefully 2011 will be just as or even more rewarding.

I am and will always be thankful to all of my friends who are very supportive and a joy to be with. They are always there to keep me sane when times get rough or simply when I want to bask in the company of good people. God blessed with me wonderful friends from different places and I may not get to see them as often as I would want to, but when I do it always feels as if no time was spent apart. Here’s to wishing we would get to spend more years together.

I am thankful for my family, who always takes excellent care of me even if sometimes I can be a baby. But that’s only because I’ve lived for quite a time on my own and now that I’m back with them I must say I missed being the baby :p This year we are missing my Ate Tess during the holidays, but we are looking forward to her return. I pray that everyone in my family, especially my parents, is blessed with good health and long life so that we may continue to enjoy many more Christmases, New Years, and birthdays together.

So now that 2011 is almost here, I wish that you would have as much or more things and people to be thankful for. There’s always a reason to be grateful as long as we see the good in everything. I can only hope and pray that we can make the New Year everything we want it to be. Here’s to a happier, healthier, and more exciting 2011… Cheers!

Which is the better frozen yogurt?

My love for yogurt started out when a friend treated me to my first cup of fro yo. I never fancied ordinary yogurt particularly because of its strong sour flavor so despite my distant memory of yogurt taste I ate what was bought for me. Surprisingly, I acquired a liking for this dessert and so began my quest for the best frozen yogurt in town.

California berry. This was my first taste of yogurt. Thanks to Mr. Yael Yuzon, I am now a fro yo lover. California berry's choice of toppings is not too impressive, but it's enough to make picking toppers a chore. I personally love the blueberry flavored fro yo with froot loops. Texture of the fro yo is somewhere between a soft serve ice cream, and melted ice cream that you put again in the fridge. You get what I mean? It has those ice crystals that aren't too huge and flaky.

Golden Spoon. For those who don't like the tart flavor of yogurt, this one's for you. I love their Belgian chocolate. It's enough without toppings because it'll just become sweeter. I tried the coconut flavor and it felt like eating Hawaiian tropic lotion because of the scent. I'll just stick to my choco yogurt with my winner of a topper-choco chip cookie dough. On a scale of 1-5 the smoothness gets a 4.

Teriyaki boy yogato. I chanced upon yogato when we had my sister's birthday lunch at Teriyaki boy. Kudos to the exotic topping choices: japanese bread crumbs, black sesame seeds, apollo candies, mochi, and wasabi cream. The last one is only for the brave and although I'm brave enough for it my sis wasn't. I'll leave that one for another day.Yogato texture scores a 4 for me as well.

White hat. My ultimate fave. Texture racks up a 5 for smoothness and creaminess. It's almost like dense soft serve ice cream.Yogurt may be healthy but not if you're me because you're bound to pick homemade cheesecake and choco chip cookie dough to go with it. 

With so many fro yo places out there, my quest sees no immediate end. I'll be back for more.

Bon appetit in France!

Being the foodie that I am, one of the things that made me really excited to go to France was the eats. But alas, four days wasn't enough. Still, I feel so lucky to have sampled the cuisine and would definitely go back in a heartbeat to eat more.

It's not hard to find good food in France. Communicating with the waiters and understanding the menu is another matter though. If you have difficulty just take the plat du jour, un boisson, and a dessert...if you can even pronounce those words correctly. =p Here are some of the things I was able to try during my Parisian vacay.

Pastries: Tarts, Croissants, Eclairs, & Pain au chocolat. The latter is bread that has the same texture as a croissant filled with what else? Chocolat! The French baker version here in the Philippines is quite good, but the ones (take note: I didn't just eat one) I tried in Paris were a bit flakier and the ambience makes them taste so much better. As for eclairs, the chocolate ones were one of my favorite breakfast items. Pastry for breakfast is simply the best. 

You can see from the photos below why Paris is the sweet tooth's dream. I think I just died and went to pastry heaven. Patisseries are everywhere!

 Above are pastries we bought at Versailles. We ate these after taking some jumpshots near the Arc de Triomphe. They're so dainty! Even the packaging is cute.

Crepe & Galette Provencal. Any trip to France wouldn't be complete without these. I had my first authentic crepe with nutella & bananas at Montmartre, set against the backdrop of the artists painting portraits. *sigh* 

The gallete provencal was lunch at a cafe in Versailles, and it was so good! Tomato sauce, ham, cheese and egg in a galette=perfect! My sister and I vowed we would go back there if given the chance.

Here's manong  making my crepe, me and my huge smile even before taking a bite, and the galette which is making my mouth water right now.

Macarons. Thin, circular merengue sandwiches with different fillings.We bought some from a patisserie near our hotel, if my memory serves me right. The delicate circles had the right sweetness with a lovely surprise in the middle.See photo above where I have coffee and pastries in front of me to get a glimpse of the tiny but mighty macaron.

Four-cheese pasta. The French love their cheese and with reason. Look at that entire section, devoted only to cheese! My four-cheese pasta was so delectable and creamy, yet it had just the right richness to it. It was just cheese and cream-no meat, no veggies, no nada. It was simple but amazing.

French onion soup. I didn't pass up the chance to try authentic French onion soup. On top of the hot, spicy , and sweet soup filled with caramelized onions was cheese melted over a big slice of crouton. Not for those who hate onions. Good thing I don't.

Steak. I have now a new standard for future steak dinners. Near the Centre Pompidou we had dinner at a cafe and I discovered what I now consider the best steak of my life. It was medium rare, had a smoky flavor, and it wasn't overly-seasoned. The steak made that restaurant unforgettable, as well as the loony old French man who kept talking to other people, us included.

Japanese food. Crazy, that's what you're thinking. You go to France and you eat Japanese food? My sister really wanted to since she hadn't eaten Jap in a long time. There was this area filled with Japanese and Chinese restos near the Palais Garnier where our Filipino appetites were satisfied by yummy evening fare at a tiny eatery with French-speaking Japanese servers. Kinda disorienting? It didn't matter especially when the delicious food came out and was served to us.

Mars Noir. I'm a sucker for everything dark chocolate. On our way to the Charles de Gaulle Airport we needed change for train tickets and bought Mars noir from a vendo. It was one of the snacks I had in my bag (Marks &Spencers thai curry crackers, French pick and mix candies, more French pastry, among many others) on the way to Barcelona. I love Mars but I love ze noir version even better. 

There are so many things I have yet to try and I really hope to go back to France someday. Just added to my long blog list that just keeps on growing: My culinary tour of Barcelona and London. I have so many things to share and remember but so little time. I'll be back soon.

UP friends, reunited!

The plan started when mom-to-be Ja called out a get together on Facebook. I contacted Ces and Peluch right away to get the ball rolling. A get-together was long overdue so we set the date eventually and finally after 4 (or 5?) years we saw each other again.

As soon as Ja entered Crustasia the talking began. There was so much to discuss about the past years, we were filled with stories to the brim. When Ces arrived there was yet more talking and eating.  It was so exciting to see Ja, still sexy even with her baby belly; and Ces, even if I saw her a couple days ago over Indian food (;p). We had to fill each other in on what's been happening in our lives that our conversation just took turns and leaps from one subject to another. People had come and gone, the buffet almost cleared out, and still we were there, laughing the night away.

As if we didn't have enough food, we headed to Conti's. I wanted the girls (and Baby Alfonso) to try the turtle pie but since it was unavailable, we had slices of sansrival, cheesecake, and choco overload with cups of coffee. Peluchi was right on time for dessert after her spa day and more talking ensued. It was so much fun looking back on old memories, wondering where old classmates went, and sharing stories about almost anything we thought was worth knowing about.


We thought that the night was over when Ja dropped us off along EDSA-Quezon Avenue. We thought wrong. A very 'engaging' conversation extended our supposed drop-off time from a few seconds to about thirty minutes and has provided Ja inspiration for our next meet-up. I dare not say where she plans to take everybody. Plans were loosely made, then it was kisses and goodbyes.

It feels wonderful to know that everyone in our small batch of 2nd sem 2004 graduates  has his/her own place in the sun. Wherever we may go, whatever we do, I'd like to believe we shine just as brightly as we were meant to.

A Day at the Museum (Liza Meets Mona Lisa)

To say I was excited about my visit to the Louvre is an understatement. Since I was a little girl I’ve loved museums and the Louvre was the ultimate. I’ve heard that you can’t fully explore it in a day but a few hours in the morning was all I had and I was happy with that. After a lovely pastry-laden breakfast (that’s another thing to blog about) I was off to the Louvre with my Ate Tess.

After getting our audio guides we went on to discover the different collections. It would’ve been easy to get sidetracked because of the many interesting things inside but the audioguide’s thematic trail kept us on track.

When I saw the Venus de Milo at the far end of a hallway, people clustering around her, I was reminded of a small replica we had in the living room when I was younger. Unlike our decor this one was a tall and powerful statue of a woman, standing in all her Greek glory, still so beautiful and ethereal though incomplete. The audioguide advised to take a look at Venus from different angles, making us understand certain details about it that can easily escape the viewer.

Atop a grand staircase was Nike or The Winged Victory of Samothrace, towering above everybody. It was a regal greeting to visitors who took the steps.

If I detailed every single masterpiece we saw, I would run out of words and space to describe how awe-inspiring they all are. I marveled at the paintings I never thought would come alive from the art and humanities books I’ve read in the past. There was so much to see and learn that we inched our way to the star of the Louvre. We were minutes away from the woman whose smile remains as mysterious as on the day she was made.

There was a huge crowd forming in the big hall where grand paintings covered the tall and wide walls. Everyone was edging to the far side where a big wall contained only one painting much smaller than the others in the room.  There she was, the Portrait of Lisa Gherardini more popularly known as the Mona Lisa. I slowly made my way to the front of the cord that separated me from the painting. I took a good look at the woman in the frame. I wish I could say that she looked more stunning in person but of course she looked exactly like the photos in books. My anticipation somehow made me expect that. But as I looked at the colors, the lines, the whole picture, I realized the difference I was looking for-a sense of history, and that was what I got. It felt different to see a work of art the whole world knows, to have before me a creation by a genius who was ahead of his time. I had a piece of time frozen before me not just with the Mona Lisa but with every single object that had a story in that museum.

Latest info on Mona Lisa: French scientists crack secrets of Mona Lisa

If I lived in Paris, I’d probably spend every weekend exploring a different part of the Louvre. I had seen only a fraction of the numerous collections they had inside and enjoyed every bit of the experience. Maybe someday I’ll go back, walk the museum halls, and discover more ancient stories that only the artifacts can tell. 

Monday at Rocci and New Bombay

Ces and I had dinner one time at a restaurant in Greenbelt (which is now extinct, thankfully) and we were so apalled at what was served to us that we were prompted to go somewhere else to eat again. Add to that the fact that my friend put in an accidental 'sprinkling' of chili flakes into her rice meal which totally emptied the shaker and we were off. Our dissatisfaction prompted us to hop into a cab and go to this Indian place I knew along H.V de la Costa.

At first I was apprehensive that Ces wouldn't like the food because some people have an aversion to unfamiliar spices and flavors. I no longer remember what we ate that night but I do remember that my doubts were unfounded. Fast forward to years after that dinner, we met up last Monday to enjoy good old Indian food at the same restaurant, New Bombay. The furnishings were a giveaway as to how long we hadn't eaten there. The place was twice as big as before, the tables and chairs were replaced, but the food remained the same. Here's Ces, happy as ever that we were fulfilling her craving for Indian cuisine.

Eating at that place reminded me of the last few Indian meals I've had early this year.

                                                                                                                                                                              Me and my sis at an Indian resto in Newcastle, UK. 

This was a stone's throw away from the lovely 

Gateshead Millenium bridge

 Indian meal in London, near West End before watching Billy Elliot

It’s always so much fun catching up with friends, especially if it’s over good food. As usual, we had a great time chatting away while we dipped chapatti into the tikka masala sauce. We talked and bit every inch of the chutney-covered samosa. 

There was still time and tummy room for dessert so I decided to bring Ces to Rocci, a small coffee and cake shop along Malugay St. When I say small, I mean four-table small. I stumbled upon Rocci when I was applying for my UK visa and needed a space to park. My first finds were their thin Belgian crisps and the delectable chocolate flourless cake. 

 

For dessert that afternoon Ces tried the fudgy walnut brownie di gelato along with a cup of brewed coffee. I had the usual choco flourless cake and tried the iced coffee too. 

 
A few hours and several hundreds or thousands of calories later, we were already talking about our next food trip. Up this Saturday, Crustasia with preggy Ja (and Baby Alfonso).