vacationing in green

Thanks to our generous hosts, Ahia, Kat and silly little Giana, we got to spend the night at their farm in Antipolo over the long weekend.

Disclaimer- pics not real, because someone forgot to bring the camera battery charger... :P

It was a lazy, idyllic mini-vacation as we did nothing but kwento, dvds and roaming around the farm, trying to scare melai. It was such a huge piece of land, with chicken houses (is that what it’s called?) and several pig "apartments" at the other side, with snake sightings every now and then ( I say snakes in a cavalier manner because we didn’t actually see them, thank you). I think it's really admirable how they make the farm so productive and how they manage it- the logistics, I imagine, is such a nightmare! well, granted, I don't have the inclination for it. All I could see everywhere were great shoot locations. Hehe.

There were butterflies everywhere and everything was just so peacefully simple. The air was nippy-cold and it kind of brought on a Christmasy feeling to me, especially after the fireworks display at the memorial park. I had fun especially with silly little Giana who's so smart and talkative for her age. She loved her little puppy but wouldn't even make pansin the other one who was sadly rejected and not allowed to go inside the house- not you! she says. And I did learn from her that Humpty Dumpty could be glued together, after all. :)

One of the best part though was the yummy little nap I had in the duyan. Kind of vertigo-inducing for a bit, but when I got used to it, I had one of the most satisying naps ever. I remember when I was about 7 or 8, I would spend most of my summer days in our backyard duyan underneath the iba tree, while I read my Archie comic books and Sweet Valley Twins. Now, whenever I think of a restful sleep, I crave for the duyan.

And it was just so lovely to witness our hosts, a young couple with the little girl, who seems to have everything going for them. I found another inspiring relationship to look up to, the other one being my granduncle and aunt who've been together more than 50 years.

Well, someday.

For now, the smell of grass and the nostalgia of nature will always be in my mind when my soul needs to rest.