The Road Less Travelled

Yesterday was Good Friday. In Cebu, the majority of people left to visit family and friends that live in the province(rural areas). Traffic was minimal and a buddy Mo offered to take me for a ride.

Mo has two motorcycles. I met him at his condo and after a quick safety lesson in the parking garage we hit the streets. As a point of reference, I’ve never ridden a motorcycle, as a driver, only a passenger riding habal habal or angkash. This was a different type of experience altogether.

Several weeks ago another buddy Rod and I had travelled into the mountains and done a bit of sightseeing. Rod drove and I was along for the ride. It was great to see parts of the country other than the city and the people were extremely hospitable. Yesterday’s excursion with Mo was even more enthralling.

We only travelled the same road as Rod for a brief distance. Being on motorcycles and with Mo(an adventurous soul in his own right) we travelled places I’d never been. We stopped frequently and drank coconut juice straight from the shell. Roasted corn and bananas were abundant. We met and quickly made friends. Mo speaks more Visayan than I and he’s an extrovert so building rapport came easily.

While riding we passed through small towns with locals sitting out and doing whatever it is they do. I followed Mo’s lead so as he passed they always spoke and some looked in awe as the foreigner greeted them in their local tongue. Without exception, the locals were surprised and thrilled to see us.

During our trek we visited a housing development. All of the streets were named after states in America so I naturally took a selfie on Texas street.

Today, Saturday, April 20, 2019, I am grateful that:

I didn’t let fear of the unknown paralyze and dictate my movements. Had I said to myself “You don’t know how to ride a motorcycle and you could get hurt” I would have missed an exceptional adventure. One of the best days I’ve had since arriving in the country.

I’ve met and bonded with like minded people. It’s easy to meet people, especially foreigners. They see someone that’s not a local and always want to exchange pleasantries. I’m grateful during those exchanges I met someone with an adventurous spirit like myself.

During the ride I was able to stop when I felt uncomfortable, ask for feedback based on his experience and do my best to implement his suggestions. It’s easy to think “I should know this” and not ask for help. The thing I need to remember is “If I knew everything, I’d be God.” It’s ok to ask for help. To ask intelligent questions and listen and follow directions.

Mo showed me another great eating place close to places I frequent. An open air venue with about two dozen vendors. You simply choose your meat and they take your selection and have it cooked in on open flame pits, like BBQ. All sorts of meats were available, beef, pork, squid, fish, shrimp, and even more.

I found out I’m allergic to milkfish. I chose stuffed milkfish as my entree. After a couple of bites my mouth began to tingle. A couple more bites and a few minutes later my entire mouth was tingling. I was thorough disappointed. Not only had we waited for our to cook but I was h

This is the first part of the entry.