Tagaytay with the 'Roos!

Story here.

I was more than happy that I was able to join my mob in Tagaytay last August 26. I had doubts that my parents would allow me to go. I half expected a no so I would not be all disappointed but I got a yes come the night of August 25. I confirmed my attendance immediately and started preparing.

I woke up at 5:30 in the morning and started preparing for Tagaytay. I arrived at our meeting place, which was the condominium unit of one of my friends, after an hour. Some of my friends slept over at my friend's place and I actually saw some still sleeping when I came. We left at around 8 via a rented van. I sat at the back of the van because I thought that it would be okay. For the most part of the trip, it was actually okay. There were a few moments though of bumpy roads and dizziness. It was all fun, anyway.

Our IT for the trip. We followed most of it!

The people at the back of the van were the most restless! We were sharing/making up stories, complaining about hunger, impersonating country folks, and laughing endlessly. Junjunalyn was even born! The people in the middle and in front were the sleepy, serious ones. Nothing bad about that really. They talked about business and that sort, if I remember correctly.

We arrived at Bag of Beans for breakfast. Some of us were amazed at the foam fountain so we spent a few minutes playing with it before and after eating. We sat at the cabana and had the buffet which costed around P300 each. I tried everything except the sausages and the omelette. The food was okay, not grand, but okay.

Abby and Marj playing with the foam*

We headed to Caleruega after. There were a lot of people so we were only able to park far from the gate. After paying the fees, we headed to the small church up the hill. It was not cold nor was it very warm. We all liked the koi pond and you bet we jumped at the hanging bridge! The climb to the mini church was a little challenging because some parts of the land were muddy and soft. They still haven't constructed a cemented path to it. In hindsight, going up the hill with mud and all actually makes reaching up the hill more worth it. Our group was divided at this point. My group reached the top first so we were able to chill for a while while waiting for the other group... which took forever. We thought that they changed their minds about going up and opted to wait for us at the pond instead. We were wrong. It turned out that they were taking pictures every 5 steps or so!

By the hanging bridge!*

Stonewalls of Caleruega*

Some of us took a short break at the lobby while some of us headed on exploring Caleruega. We went to the side of the main area to look at the view and feel the wind. It was still breathtaking like the last time I had been there. One of my friends was almost hit badly by the dried leaf/branch of a coconut tree that fell a few centimeters beside her. It touched her arm but she was fine. We took a few pictures and went back to the others. We saw them at the steps of the main church. There was no scheduled mass at that time so we just said a short prayer and left.

In front of the main hall*

Almost everyone was still full so we headed to the Picnic Grove right after. We met another friend there too. The place was seriously packed with people! There were a few stray dogs as well so I was very alert. We did not do much in this area. We just walked to the zipline spot and decided that we did not like to ride it. On the way back, a tiny Dachshund came running to our direction and I was frightened as heck deep inside. I did not want to make a scene by running away. Good thing that dog ran only to its owner and only passed by us. Moments after, the rain poured. Only a few of us had umbrellas. A lot of us got soaked because the rain was quite strong! We invaded one shade first before asking the family occupying it if we could stay for a while. They were very kind and even let us borrow their umbrella! It's funny how the 9 of us (plus the family) crowded under the small shade when there was a bigger shade a few feet away with only a few people and 2 of our friends. We really meant to go to that area but the rain was so strong that we could not leave the smaller shade. It took a while for the rain to subside but it never came back again. As the person who loves  the rain, I have to admit that I enjoyed being soaked! Heehee! Oh, a big thank you to my friend who lent me his jacket for a while! Big help!

Going back to the van made us dry a bit since the sun was shining on us. We waited for a while in the van while one of us went back to pay the entrance fee. It was too sweet to take one for the team.

We went to the Cliffhouse after and ate at Cafe Breton. We were supposed to eat at another restaurant but it was already full. I ordered my usual Hungarian sausage (whole but sliced) and Butter and Sugar crepe plus the Nutella machiatto. Good stuff! I got to try one of the galettes as well with tomato, cheese, etc. It was so good! New food to order next time.

Before heading back to Manila, we stopped over Rowena's for a while. Some of us bought pasalubongs while some stayed in the van. As for me, I went with those who bought goodies but I did not buy anything. One of my friends bought goat's milk in chocolate flavor. I tasted it. It tasted like Dippin' Dots' chocolate at first but then it had a rotten cheese after taste.

We, people at the back, spent the ride home playing one word story and oracle. We were restless still while those in front were already sleeping. Some of the topics in the game included a nosy pizza delivery boy with his clipboard, a sparkling, brown ___ :), death by tuberculosis, unrequited love, and many more! The oracle questions were funny as well! Two of my friends were teasing each other the whole trip (or even before it). Questions like "Bakit ako ang baby mo?" and "Anong meron sa'kin?" were thrown at them and other philosophical questions like "Kailan ba?", "Sino ba?", etc. were asked as well.

Before we knew it, we were already at Makati! I asked to be dropped off at Greenbelt. We said our good byes and I left. They still went back to the condo of my friend to get their things while some slept over again. I waited for my family at Greenbelt and crashed when I got home.

Only 3 of us were awake the whole trip (morning to evening). I never felt tired. However, when I came home, I slept so early! It was a super tiring but super fun trip! I was really happy that I was able to join and bond with my 'Roos. I knew some of them better and we shared a whole new experience! I will never forget  my friends' awesome impersonation skills, crazy ideas, and strength to endure the next day for callbacks. Here's to more!

*Photos courtesy of Marj