hermanajuli

I was lucky to be gifted with a free trip to Boracay.

I am quite interested in travelling but not obsessed with it.

My friend has always fancied the place so I told myself since it’s free might as well go.

True to its pictures, Boracay was utterly beautiful. You have to feel the water for yourself to understand.

I was able to talk to two strangers while there, their story is nothing special but I guess in a way they are both worth the time writing.

The Bartender

I was aiming to read a book by the beach, I was trying to find a good spot when I noticed a bar.

To save me from the effort of choosing which drink amongst the dozen they offer I told the bartender;

“I am having whatever you chose for me under P500.”

He looked t me for a second and smile. While he was busy preparing the drink I asked.

“Lokal ka dito?”

“Naku hindi po Mam taga Bacolod po ako.”

“Naks! Taga City of smiles.”

He smiled again.

“Kayo po?”

“Batangas. Masaya ka naman dito?”

“Opo. Binata po ako eh”

I laughed because I cannot phantom the connection of being happy and single in paradise. Aren’t you suppose to be happy because you are working and living in paradise?

“Anong koneksyon ng pagiging binata, at pagiging masaya sa Boracay?”

“Kasi po mam, kung kasal po ako at ang mag-ina ko po ay nasa Bacolod, siguro po mahihirapan akong maging masaya dito. Dahil gugustuhin ko pong laging umuwi.”

Then he hands me a beautiful drink.

I told him thanks and found a spot cosy enough for my afternoon read while telling myself.

“May point si kuya.”

The Lady Selling Pearls

I was thinking of what to bring my aunt home when I spotted a set of pearl earrings.

I bought a pair but stayed for a while to scan the store.

“Taga dito ka ba?”

“Hindi po Mam, taga Maguindanao po ako”

Said the young girl in her teens.

“Wow ang layo. Kamusta naman ang buhay mo dito? Na eenjoy mo ba ang beach?”

“Isang beses lang po ata akong nakalangoy dyan Mam”

“Ha?! Bakit?”

“Wala po kasi kaming off Mam, iniipon ko po para kung uuwi po ako ng Maguindanao mahaba po ang bakasyon. Pakain po kami dito saka libre ang bahay. Magbubukas po kami ng tindahan sa umaga mag sasara sa gabi.”

I bought another pair and without the daintiest effort in haggling, she gave it to me on a discount.

I walked out of the store, a few steps more and there is the beautiful Boracay beach.

I guess her paradise was actually in Maguindanao.