Plans. We make them, we break them, we alter and dream. As we go about our daily lives, planning is the one constant. No matter where we are, who we are with or what we are doing, one thing is certain: we are planning. Our wheels are spinning and our minds are at work — always. We are always creating, analyzing, connecting the dots.
Now, I can only speak for myself, but rarely, if ever, does my life go according to plan. From the simplest of things to the very complex — and just about everything in between — there is always a twist or a turn. And while that can be really frustrating at times, I’m so, so thankful, because some of my most meaningful relationships and experiences have stemmed from me not getting my way.
Sometimes I stop and think about some of my childhood wishes, and what my life might look like now, had any of them come true. One thing is certain: I wouldn’t be sitting here on this mezzanine above the streets of Manila — that much is true. No, if I had gotten my wish, I would probably be Mrs. Krueger right now, with two perfectly dressed children, a lovely home, and manicured lawn — the kind you don’t dare step a foot on. Thankfully, though, that isn’t the case. Instead, I am here, and I am happy — it feels nice to finally say that — and I am me. A me that I wouldn’t be, without a lot of Plan B’s and C’s, and a constant change in plans.
As I was sitting on the island of Bohol, trying to determine my next step, I was feeling slightly discouraged. I had my sights set on El Nido, located at the Northern tip of Palawan, since day one. That was where I intended to spend the rest of my trip… buuuuut, I neglected to buy a ticket in advance.
Usually this isn’t an issue with domestic flights throughout SE Asia, as there are plenty of discount carriers heading here, there, and everywhere. Never before had I run into an issue where ALL of the flights are booked for the next two days. TWO DAYS. All of them. Every last one. Never say never, I suppose.
I could have booked the flight for three days out, but it had quadrupled in price, and would have left me twiddling my thumbs for a while. Plus, once I arrived in Puerto Princesa, I was looking at a 6 hour bus ride both there and back. It would have been a mad dash for little time in return.
So, I boarded a plane back to Manila in order to head North to the tiny towns of Banaue and Batad, which are home to the most amazing rice terraces our world has to offer.
After spending a day in the city I booked an overnight bus to Banaue, some 8 hours away. While sitting on the sidewalk outside the filthy terminal, I started to second guess my decision. Overnight bus rides have rarely treated me well. My longest stretch has been 41 hours from Nouakchott to Bamako. Yes, that’s right, I said forty-one; they even kicked us off at the border without our bags, and I was forced to sleep in the dirt with only a small towel that a stranger draped over me when he saw me shivering uncontrollably. I tried to remind myself that 8 hours is a walk in the park compared to that. Is all I had to do was hop on, put in my headphones, and pop an Ambien if truly needed. Easy peasy.
Luckily, though, none of that was needed, as I was greeted at my seat by a solo backpacker from England, as well as two from Italy, just across the aisle, that I had met previously. It was a perfect placement, if I may say so.
For the next eight hours, we talked, laughed, and exchanged wine out of a water bottle. Every so often, I’d drift off to sleep, but it didn’t last long, thanks to the 90’s love songs blaring from above. I’ve heard enough Michael Bolton to last me a lifetime. And then some.
Shortly after 6:30 A.M. I found myself on the streets of Banaue, being told that my reservation was for an address in Sagada, three hours away. F me. Don’t ask me how that happened, but it did.
Everything worked out in the end, though — it always does. We wandered down the street and found a room, that when divided, cost me a measly $4.50. How’s that for a bargain? Talk about a quick fix.
Sure, I just flushed a few pesos down the drain with my careless mistake, but the trade off was finding myself at a convenient location, in a gorgeous town, with a hot cup of coffee and enjoyable company. I’ll take it.
