Camera on Hand – Baguio, A Home for the Heart

Baguio has always been an escape for me, a place where I can forget about the seriousness of life and take things slow… really slow.
What I enjoy most of the time is how I become more conscious of each moment during the days I spend there.

Here are snapshots of a 2 day trip with my wife and a friend, either when were together or in times when I walk alone…

I was surprised that the place were staying in is right beside Cafe by the Ruins, a huge serving of Champorado and Tuyo in this cool weather makes for a good first meal in this recent trip.

We’ve been told to be careful of strangers, most of the time we unconsciously judge a person by the profiles in our mind. It was a surprise however, when two men followed me around in Burnham park and offered me… massage! Against my better judgement I said yes. One did my back while the other did my arms while I sat on a park bench, I can still remember the cool breeze and the smell of the pine trees, I close my eyes and think to myself: “best massage ever”.

Food seems to be a priority for me, and I have always enjoyed a meal in “Oh My Gulay”. As far as I know they don’t have meat in their dishes but their food satisfies a meat eater like me. After that we each enjoy a hot dayap drink while enjoying the weather and the view.

I remember the first time I went to Baguio with a camera, I had this image in mind but didn’t have the confidence to ask. This time I was able to bring home the image, one that has been in my mind for more than five years.

I roamed inside the Ukay-ukay buildings beside Burnham Park, took turns and stairs that I felt would lead me somewhere. I eventually ended up on the top floor, a book shop, with a little opening that had a view.

Turns out the book shop has a charitable purpose, to collect books and send it to the mountain areas for the kids there to use. The owner of the place explained to me that even if they are tribes from the mountains, no one is born stupid.

I had my first serving of binatog long time ago here in Baguio, right in this park also, it was from a vendor on a cart. Now the area is filled with stalls because of the Panagbenga, warm food on hand is always a welcome companion while I walk around.

There is a cluster of flower shops nearby, and while my wife takes her time to select what plants to bring home, I enjoy a little experimenting. We head to the bus station afterwards.