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Published: February 23rd 2006
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The top of the terrace
The reward I got for climbing through the clouds at 7 in the morning and dodging meandering Ifugao natives on the slim streches of terrace was this view of Batad and the valley.....you know what they say about a picture.... Interesting way to spend Valentines Day- praying for my life. My hip flexors and glutes have never felt quite like this before, and I'm sure never will again. Mixed with an utter sense of accomplishment, I feel totally drained. Good thing we have an unimaginably lon, cramped, arduous bus ride ahead of us. With any luck, I'll sleep the whole way from Banaue to Manila.
Banana pancakes and a banana pineapple salad (half of each) and one small bottle of water at 7 am were all I had to fuel my terrace traversing this morning. I knew it would be difficult, but once someone suggests I can do something, I refuse to back down to the proposition (well, in MOST cases, relevant to context). What they neglected to mention was it would be one of the most challenging activities I will ever experience, both physically and mentally...Ifugao people have always been here. 2000 years ago they were buiding these complex irrigational terraces, with their bare hands. Their bare feet can manipulate even the steepest, slipperiest slope of rock. Like Reynaldo says, white people are comfortable eating cheeseburgers. What I think he meant in his bizarre own way was that this
landscape is not our own- to trek the stoney walls does not come any where near to natural.
it was, however, a breathtaking view from the top, and coloured by the pride I felt in braving the horrifying heights, it was one of the best experiences of my life, even if I am now fully aware that by tomorrow my muscles will reject any effort I may make to move them. At leats we'll be back on the beach. After doing Northern Luzon the justice it deserved, I have no guilt going back to touristy, pineappley paradise.
Alberto's bar in Baguio will have to wait for another Valentine's Day.
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Jo
non-member comment
You Go Girl !
Congratulations for getting to explore one of the 8th wonders of the world ! .... Cheers, Jo