I go to the hills when my heart is lonely

When I was in first year college, I wanted to join the UST Mountaineering Society, but my mom and aunt&uncle (who were financing my schooling) were against it. They said it was not safe, I wouldn;t get anything out of it, I might fall of  a cliff, get killed by civilians, etc.  I cried about it for an extended period, as expected, and each time I passed by the group’s supposed “tambayan,” I would hopelessly wish I could join. I wrote that wish in one of the blank pages in my mind, folded it neatly and tucked it somewhere between the crevices of my heart.

In September 2013, 11 years later, I officially climbed my very first mountain and fell madly in love with the experience. Though I was not able to go to the summit (my friends were hungover from the night’s drinking sesh) and it was rainy and I was suffering from colds, I can honestly say I had a blast in Mt. Daguldol. I hope to go back one day and conquer the peak. 

The lonely page I tucked away unfolded before my eyes and I vowed to climb more mountains after that. Sadly, my resources would not allow. However, I was able to climb three mountains in 2014. I will continue writing some other time. I gotta get back to work. 

BTW, I had my first ever day hike last Sunday, March 22, in Mt. Arayat, Pampanga. At the time, I thought I'd never go back because I had a difficult time, but when I got home that night, thinking about my climb, I changed my mind. I am going back to Mt. Arayat. It's crazy how I learned a lot of things during that dayhike. When/how to let go/hold on, and not to make decisions when tired, among many others. I'll write next time. Maybe even post pictures for you, my nonexistent reader! You keep me going! 

It only sucks that I did not push myself to do this earlier. By this, I mean climbing mountains.

First pic, view fromthe North Peak.

Second pic, me hugging a boulder somewhere after Haring Bato, which we missed

Third, my favorite photo, South Peak, before going down. 

In the last two is my friend, Noi, who hiked with me that day. Thank the Universe for him!