Supposedly, in this Holy Week, it was a time to spent with the family and devote ourselves together to strengthen our faith to the Lord. It is a norm wherein most of the people here in our place have been doing since immemorial during this season. Our town's fiesta falls under this season also, and I was supposed to go home to celebrate with my family. Unexpectedly, it wouldn't be the case this time. I have to change plans when I heard the news about the passing of my Grandfather's brother (still a Grandpa of us).
The news was a surprised since we haven't heard about him for years because he relocated his home away from us when we were still kids back then. He built his house again with his second family at the Municipality of Candonni, a four-hour travel by bus from Bacolod City. Considering the budget I have and the transportation fare for back and forth, I know it can make it but I have doubts if the ones left can make up for my allowance for the whole month. I love long travels but my problem is my budget since the current bus fare going there is $4.40 or Php 242. I got lucky when my cousin offered to pay for my fare on our way back.
On our Way...
The were a bit slower since it was picking up passengers from time to time and was stopping by on every station, making the travel to take hours before reaching the destination. I don't feel bored or getting impatient by this. Instead, I actually like these long hours of travel because I got to see different terrains of each cities or municipalities that we have passed by.
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After stopping by the terminal in Kabankalan City, the road started to get sloppy and a series of sharp turns were ahead of us for almost two hours. It's quite dangerous but drivers were already used at this setup. yet, if you're not used to travelling like this, you'll probably caught motion sickness and might vomit along the way. My cousin almost has it, but she managed to restrain herself until we arrived their hometown.
During Our Stay...
Finally, the long hours of sitting in the bus have ended as got off at the intersection which is the nearest dropping point to their house. The place is marvelous with its mountainous terrains but the location of the houses there are at a disadvantage. Facilities and water supply were in far places. You're lucky if you have a service vehicle on your own and you could have an easy access anytime, but if you don't have while living here, it will cost you high expenses just for the transportation fare alone.
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The place was indeed wonderful, but a tiresome journey have slammed me down to lay in a hammock as soon as I found one beside my Aunt's home. I watched how beautiful their skies there while the wind were slowly lulling me to sleep. I gave my respect and greetings at the wake as soon as I arrived just so I could explore the immediately but the arduous journey consumed most of my energy during those four hours on the bus.
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I went at the back of the house as soon as I woke up. Deep inside, I wanted to traverse on the other of those mountains just to explore the sight up-close but I don't have anyone who is familiar of the place to go with me at the moment. Everybody was busy entertaining the visitors and relatives coming at the wake. The elders also had some things to settle about their issues regarding the properties left. We, the youngsters, could only find our ways to entertain ourselves without the use of gadgets since their place have poor network signal.
There wasn't much to be done at the wake since a lot of our relatives were helping. Also, I'm totally useless in the kitchen since I don't know how to cook. When my Uncle brought out all the empty containers to the Tricycle and fetch water in the well, I went along though I was also useless to him since they didn't let me carry any of those containers. I just snapped some pictures of the the sunset that had greeted us on our way there and the rocky mountain with a cave inside.
At the day of the Burial...
Early in the morning, my Uncle went to fetched water again. Since I was fascinated by that rocky mountain, I went with him again. I really wanted to explore that cave at the foot of the mountain. Hearing the stories of my Uncle's experiences, it made me crave fore more adventures yet I couldn't do it at that moment since no one can guide me if ever I would try explore the cave.
Luckily, my cousins from Bacolod who just arrived that morning also have the same interest of exploring that Rocky Mountain and the cave at its foot. We agreed to be back here for that on May when classes are already closed, so we can have adventures as much as we want. I was delighted by their plan, and promised to be with them on their journey back here
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After lunch, the pastor started his last prayer session for my late Grandfather and his family. Then, they proceeded with the burial at the cemetery. As expected, it was also farther from their house, maybe more than 10 km. The burial ceremony were done quickly as it didn't require a Mass anymore since they are not Catholic, just a prayer from their Pastor and it was done.
My other cousins and relatives went home after the burial. My cousin and I stayed for another night at their house to rest since buses were limited already at the afternoon. We planned to catch a trip in the morning to be sure. Her house was much farther than the cemetery, probably another 10 km.
Travelling there was tiresome oftentimes, yet the beautiful view of the mountainous terrains is therapeutic. I didn't managed to capture more photos because I was too amazed of the beauty of the place. It was good to unwind for it's peaceful surroundings, not a single can be heard except for the animals. Somehow, it made my weekend more enjoyable and made me forgot of the pain and sadness from the passing of my Grandfather for a little while.
All photos are mine, unless stated otherwise. Thank you for taking time to read this blog.