Today I woke up, feeling the urge to surf, texted my friend, packed my bag then hit the road. We didn't have any plans, no bus tickets, no reservations, nor enough cash but we know that the most exciting things happen when you open yourself to discomfort and just roll with the punches.
It was thirty minutes before the last trip bound to Baler when we arrived at the bus terminal. Crap! Last trip was fully booked! We could have taken another trip as advised by the guard, though longer route, but we didn't. I don't know, but we had the feeling that we could get our tickets for the last trip. Lo and behold, four of those who reserved tickets have not yet arrived five minutes before the departure so we got in. Thank heavens!!
We slept almost all the time while on the road since we both came from work. The moment we woke up, we're already at Baler.
Oh God!! The Circle Hostel was fully booked too! One hammock was the only available accommodation. But we're two? I guess things were really going well for us, they allowed us to get the only remaining hammock then one of us can stay at the common area. We grabbed that offer right away!
The hostel is so artsy and laid back that I forgot the thunder inside my stomach and took photos right away, you know, Instagram! Lol! The hostel crew are very friendly and attentive to our needs. I'll write another article for The Circle Hostel review.
The best part of the trip??
We made new friends! Many Friends!! It didn't all start with a "Hello". I didn't even ask for their names or where they're from. I just talked to them then suddenly it felt like I've known them forever. It's surprising that we could talk for hours without running out of words to say, it all came out naturally, it's true, it's real.
Don't be shy to say "Hi!". That stranger could be your next travel buddy. ;)
Try new things!!
Surfing has always been the plan!! Man, it wasn't that easy to keep your self balanced on the surf board. Not at all!! But still, worth the body pain I'm feeling right now as I am writing this.
Slow down and let the good times roll..
Our last night in Baler was pretty chill, random conversations with new friends over bottles of beer and good music.
"What ifs" and "buts" are in us, defense mechanism I guess? Overthinking what could happen in the future could paralyze us till we lose our enthusiasm in life today. Truth is, we keep on waiting for the perfect time. But life isn't yesterday, not tomorrow, not next month, not when you get the promotion you've been working on, not even when you enter a new relationship, or when you graduate. LIFE IS TODAY!! LIFE IS NOW! It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind that determines which way we will go. So adjust your sails to the direction of your own happiness.
Worries are much like waves, we can't stop them from coming but we can choose which one to surf. Hey, I learned that from my surfing instructor! :)
Xoxo, TNM!
