Coming back to Tarlac!

Yesterday, we went to my mom’s home province, Tarlac. I was given a chance to come there after so many years (actually, I don’t remember when the last time I’ve been there, it was probably almost ten years). I was with my mom, big bro with his wife and daughter, Aunt Carol, Uncle Alex and my four cousins.

(My big bro eating hamburger!)

My big bro was our driver. I always admire my brother in terms of driving. No matter how far it is, he makes it to a point that we can be on the place fast safely. One of his friends says that he was like the hero in The Fast and The Furious (hehe!).

(My snack, the accident we saw in the road and my Aunt Carol with my cousin, Adong)

On the way, I ate a lot of Fudgee bar to keep me awake throughout the journey. We saw some historical places (specifically Death March) and sadly an accident on the road. When we were getting nearer to our destination, we noticed that for many years the place developed. In old times, you can only see sands, rocks and lahar on the way. The road wasn’t even cemented at that time. Now, you can see beautiful houses instead of the classical nipa hut and the road is cemented (making the travel easier, hehe!).

(Uncle Alex, Aunt Precy and

Jovelyn's jackfruit mania!)

When we arrived, we went to Aunt Precy’s house (mom’s cousin). I really loved the jackfruit that we ate there. We even brought the fruit on the way to the sapa (stream).

(Me, on the stream)

When I was little, I watch my cousin bath in that stream. Back then, I afraid of leeches on the stream. I didn’t really intend to get wet in the stream however I slipped when I was taking a picture standing on the rock (I am really clumsy as ever!). The water is clear and refreshing. I think that stream is the best place we went so far.I told you that it has been about ten years before I was able to go again there. Surprisingly, my Uncle Alex was about more than thirty years. He even saw again his ex-girlfriend (*note: my uncle is 61 years old). It was funny because Aunt Precy said “alaala ng lumipas” [memories of the past]. Because it was a rare chance to go there, my mom together with my aunt and uncle visited our [far] relatives.

(The water was clear and I even took a picture of a flower that blooms on the stream)

When we went back to the city, I experienced a bit of headache. It was three hours of travel to go there and staying for more than two hours and again travel back for about four hours. It was raining on the road and it was cold. Even though it was only for a couple of hours, I enjoyed the visit and I’m hoping that I could go back there again.