| The Road To Boracay was Paved with Good Intentions |
[05 May 2009|07:09pm] |
Remember I just joined the UP Dragon boat team (narrative of the first training → here.) And the team was supposed to join the 3rd International Boracay Dragon boat Competition.
Credit has to be given to the identity I had to acquire in the katauhan of Jay-Ar Coranta – the one who originally owned the ticket I was about to use. That gave way to the heterosexual split personality that was similar to James (my original split personality dominant during the Jeremiah Phase or alternately Pre-One.true.Love Phase, which should be distinguished from James Salisi, the person, and companion to this trip). This, if it’s not yet obvious, meant that I had to temporarily bid farewell to my Camcubine.
It seemed that in the beginning, James and I wouldn’t make it to Boracay. All possible obstacles were laid before us, challenging our very notion of cosmic justice.
We had to take two loooong examinations from 7am to 10am, and then off we went to his apartment to change. The sky was unfriendly, showering us with light rain. It wasn’t as comforting to think that a storm might be coming. It took us forever to get a cab, and by the time we got one, it was already an hour and a half away from our supposed scheduled flight.
The taxi driver assured us we’ll get there in 45 minutes, just in time, if everything goes smoothly, he says. At times like this, even a taxi driver could be considered an Angel of Hope, one to be trusted, afforded with unquestionable faith.
44 minutes, we’re right in front of the unsightly domestic airport. Whew.
But the fight wasn’t over; we’re still not in Boracay. James and I couldn’t start celebrating just yet. Worse hurdles were on the way: there was the fact that the rain wasn’t stopping, and then there’s the airline, Zest-Air, brought to you by the guys who gave us Zest-O! (Juice drink? Airplane? Still couldn’t figure out the rationale for the expansion). Anyway, those two things considered, the storm and Zest-Air, I felt like the supposed cheap 3k plane ticket was too expensive if assured death by almost-inevitable plane crash was going to be the end point, or err, alternative destination.
Some members of the team were on the same flight, surprised to see that James and I made it just in time. Ironically, after a trillion efforts to make it on time, the flight was delayed. Everybody was already annoyed, but I told James, if death was going to be the endpoint, let’s just be thankful the flight was going to be delayed.
After almost two hours, we are asked to board the plane. The thought of backing out came to mind, but it was immediately replaced by the plot of the movie “Final Destination.” And then I realized, if I were meant to meet Death, I don’t want to prolong it. I don’t want to be chased by it, dying in the oddest of situation, by drowning while taking a crap, or perhaps while paddling in Manila bay, for example.
I would’ve wanted to say the flight was uneventful, and I think all the passengers are with me on this. But unfortunately, it was so eventful it was hard to sleep. There was so much air-turbulence that for a moment I thought we were on the wrong ride, rollercoaster instead of a plane. Haggard, sabihin na lang nating maiisip mo ang mga mahal mo sa buhay habang nagdadasal ng sampung Ama Namin.
But of course, all good things must come to an end. Morbid thoughts of immediate death were replaced by relief and delight and the spirit of being alive after the plane landed safely on Caticlan ground. I wanted to jump for joy and hug the other passengers, share the moment, the moment when we were finally sure that we were going to be fine, knowing that whoever said “to live the day as if it’s your last,” didn’t know a fucking thing about, well, living the day as if it’s our last. Prick.
After deplaning, we went to the jetty port to ride a boat (Fastrack? Fasttrax? I forgot) which should take us to Boracay island. That took about 30 minutes. After finally, can I just say that again, F.I.N.A.L.L.Y. reaching Boracay, James and I congratulated each other, this is it, it was time to celebrate. Finally we could proclaim, we were in Boracay.
Nothing could stop us now – unless some freak accidents, like being hit by lightning, or being crushed by landslide, or sudden cardiac demise. But those are unlikely; it was safe to assume we were to survive the whole Bora event.
We waited for the caretaker of the place we were going to stay in. After a few minutes of guessing which was who, we saw Ate Someone who instantly asked a trike driver if he could take us to Diniwid.
Diniwid.
Diniwid. It’s located somewhere beyond station 1, which we, logically labeled as station 0, or station negative 1. By tricycle ride, it seemed exceedingly far, makes one wonder if we were still in Boracay, or if a member of NPA would suddenly ambush us. We were later on comforted by the fact that some members were staying in Station 3.8. For some reason, I found it scary that socio-economic pseudo-stratification was now broken down to decimal points.
The place, despite being a bit far, turned out fine. Studio type. Complete with kitchen sink and dining area, and a set of mirrors covering a wall. Two other members of the team stayed in the same place, they were staying a floor below us. I still think we got the better room, even if we didn’t have a sofa bed, or a wok, or a gas-stove, or some other thing that the two guys downstairs were boasting.
We settled for a bit, resting before we headed to the meeting place for the pre-race gathering of all members of the dragon boat team.
To be continued…
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