One thing we did during our visit to my hometown was visit some of my old friends. Friends that I've known long before social media was a thing. Since my family and I live in the city, I rarely visit them in person. We were home for the holidays and we had time to visit them (my friends) in their homes.
Before our travel to Negros, I have already informed some of my friends that my family and I will visit. It could be before New Year's Day or the days after. Schedules got messed up because of some family emergencies and yet we were able to do so.
And so the scheduled day for the visit was 2 days after the new year. I have messaged my friends that my family and I were coming over at this time and day. I have arranged it on the same day but in different time slots. So we did town/house hopping. 😂
Our first stop was a breakfast appointment. We left my Papa's home early (we stayed at my Papa's home) and traveled to the next town approximately 14 kilometers away. We had a little difficulty in finding my friend's house because it's been years since my last visit. Their neighborhood had already changed. New houses were already there. But we were able to find it though.
When we arrived we were welcomed warmly by my friend and her husband and breakfast was ready. We catch up over breakfast. We reminisced about our past experiences and talked about the developments in our lives. We were reminded of how simple our lives were before social media existed. Our visit lasted for 2 hours. It seemed a day would not be enough to catch up for the years of not being able to meet in person. But my friend and her husband have work to do too. So we bid goodbye and we were hoping we would be able to visit them again soon.
From Tanjay City (our first stop), we traveled again to Valencia, approximately 35 kilometers according to Google Maps. This time were visiting a friend from my college years. This friend of mine had also visited us here in Cebu a few years ago. Our children also became friends. It was time for us to visit them too! It was our first time visiting their home so we had to use Google Maps and of course a few instructions from them. We reached their home safely. They have a very simple abode in the middle of a farmland with trees, and animals around.
Imagine the green surroundings and very quiet neighborhood because their neighbors are far away. Simple living. They also prepared lunch for us. The food we had brought so many memories of my younger years. My friend did not cook the food we ate but she ordered it from the famous food stores in Dumaguete (7 km away from Valencia) back when we were in high school and college! Very nostalgic, right? My friend knows how to treat her visitors right! 😀 Memorable lunch!
After lunch, we sat on the porch, watched the greens from afar, and talked about a lot of things. I wish I could go visit her always and enjoy the quiet surroundings. Away from city chaos. Oh well, always is impossible. But once in a while will do.
It was almost sunset when we left. We said our goodbyes then we headed back to my Papa's home. When we were in Negros Oriental, we were always on the road. 😀 We loved it though.
Concluding thoughts...
It is always great to catch up and spend time with friends, real friends. We may not see each other often, but the friendship remains in our hearts. We always treasure the time spent together. Especially now that we have our own families and the friendship has extended to our children. Friends are also families. As the saying goes, "There are friends, there is family and then there are friends that become family."
Thank you for reaching this far.
Until next time!
xoxo,
Met