Hello dear friends 😊

So one afternoon i was just lounging around the house with nothing to do scrolling on my phone for like an hour straight getting bored out of my mind. My mom was in the kitchen cooking something that smelled good but i just needed to get up and move. I told her I'm heading out for a walk around the neighborhood grabbed my cap and off i went. No plan no destination just felt like seeing what’s up around our part of the province..

The main path here is just a simple concrete road not super smooth has some cracks and patches where grass is starting to grow through. You can see power lines running above stretching all the way to the next barangay. On one side are the houses of our neighbors most are small but cozy with little gardens out front where they grow tomatoes or string beans. Some have dogs that bark at me every single time i pass but i know they are just being protective, not mean.

Then you get to the open fields and wow, it’s just so much green. Some parts are planted with rice others are just wild grass that grows tall when no one tends to it. When the wind picks up the whole field moves like it’s breathing. Coconut trees are all over the place too some are so tall you gotta crane your neck to see the top and others are still young with small fronds. Every few steps you spot a banana plant or two with big leaves that look like they can shield you from the sun.

I took a detour down a small dirt path i know and there it was that tiny creek i always check out. It’s not even a real river just water flowing from somewhere up the mountain making its way through the bushes. The water’s clear enough to see the little stones and tiny fish swimming around. There are big trees leaning over it their branches almost touching the water and vines hanging down like curtains. It’s quiet here you can only hear the water trickling and crickets starting to chirp even though it’s still early..

You know what’s the best part? The air out here. It’s not hot in that sticky way you get in the city it’s warm but has a cool breeze that hits your face. You can smell so many things at once wet dirt from where the creek soaks the ground fresh leaves from the trees and sometimes even the sweet smell of sampaguita flowers from someone’s garden nearby. Breathing it in just makes you feel light like all the stress from nothing at all just melts away.

On my way back i saw Mang Kiko sitting outside his house fixing his bike. He waved me over and offered me a glass of cold buko juice said he just harvested the coconut that morning. We chatted for a bit about the weather how his crops are doing this year and he asked if I’m still planning to visit the beach next month. That’s how it is here everyone knows everyone and they always share whatever they have.

As i kept walking i was just thinking this is way better than staying cooped up inside. Nothing’s in a rush out here. People wake up when the sun comes up eat when they are hungry and go to bed when it gets dark. There’s no traffic to make you late no loud noises keeping you up at night. Even when there’s work to do like helping plant rice or pick fruits it never feels like a chore because you are doing it with family or friends..

By the time i got back home the sun was starting to set painting the sky orange and pink above the mountains. My Aunt’s called me in for dinner she made adobo with vegetables from our garden. As i washed my hands i was already planning when i can go for another walk. Maybe tomorrow afternoon or maybe even early morning to see the dew on the grass. Either way i know the place will be just as nice quiet green and exactly how a home should feel.

And that’s where my story ends. Thank you so much for your support and for taking the time to read my little tale.