bus busted

Everyone is charged up at the bus station. My friends and I barely made it at our rendezvous as we beat the horrendous Friday night traffic in the city. Not long after we settled down, the bus hits the road for what seems to be a long drowsy journey to Banaue. Cool.

There is Dennis, one of our leads in this mountain trek. But what's with the hair, man? Then there's Des, are you in or are you out? Ron, the other lead, and Belle, you are so sweet together. I hope you both get stung by a swarming bees. Oh Shella, you're the most beautiful lola in the bus. How could they call you Mary Walter? Ang ganda ng lola mo. I heard Chiqui's in cloud nine as she's gone first base in the heart's game. You're not envious of her, right Rocel? Step aside Gary V, Weng is in the house! Hataw na! Iris, sorry but you got no chance in heaven to sit anywhere but beside Fred, who I notice has lost much weight from that trip to the Meiji land! Ain't so bad, you know. Are you starstuck yet, Jannice? I see you drooling like crazy over Rainier aka Jeff. Oh Jerry you don't seem too happy today, c'mon sit beside me and I'll see what I can do. Finally Json... Are you gay?

Long and drowsy journey it is but not exactly unbearable, until misfortune creeps its way on us hardly a tenth through our trip. At the first stopover the driver blurts out the bad news - our bus couldn't get on with the long drive anymore because of a compressor problem, so we all have to transfer to another bus. Whew! It isn't much of a hassle only the rescue bus would come right from where we have departed two hours ago. I see that all the excitement in us is swiftly draining altogether! Trying to be calm and holding up whatever excitement is left, we while away the time at the videoke bar across the street. Weng and Dennis gamely hit some tunes, while the others including me are content watching starlets strut their wares on the tv screen. It's amazing nobody blew their top on this unwelcome delay! Everyone's careful not to spoil the night.

Alas the rescue bus arrives, I am ready to rejoice! But if ever there is a time to scream s**t out loud, it is when I saw the bus - no air conditioning, dilapidated and all. Although it's dark outside I'm not a bit crazy about travelling on that kind of bus especially that we're a only a few hours ahead of the scorching summer sun. Fine! We're off to a real adventure, I figured. Isn't this what we've come for? So let's get it on.

We hit the road anew and the excitement starts to build up once again. As expected the sun catches up on us we can't do anything about it. By now some are aleady wide awake and enjoying the sceneries on the countryside while others still sunk in sleep. I didn't have enough sleep myself last night but I couldn't pass up the chance to behold the greens while the bus snake through up the mountains. The cold wind makes me forget the whole mess last night. I feel everybody's anticipation growing as we pass by town after town.

We reach the terminal right on time for lunch. We fill our tummies lightly at a restaurant not very far, with a couple of new friends we have met in the bus, and who we learned are seeking to reach the same destination. But hey, who says the journey has ended? We're yet to reach our final destination, that is, Batad, where the famed rice terraces are located. With a jeep, off we go to the saddle point, where we are bound to work up our legs and feet.