what happened during the 10 days I was away..

Where do I start?

Yeah.. We left Cagayan de Oro the afternoon of May 25, as posted in my previous entries. Though we had anxiety and nervousness whether we’d be flying in on that day, we never doubted and still continued to hope and prayed that we will. Despite the time we spent strolling at SM CDO while waiting, we did have our moments and bonding together. We laugh at Kai quickly getting up from her sit when I read to her and Marmie Sarah’s text message that the plane was scheduled to fly at 4PM. It was 15 or 10 minutes before 3PM. And we thought it would be the estimated time departure from CDO, so we hurriedly went to retrieve our baggage from the counter and rushed to the airport which was just 10minutes from SM CDO. Only to find out that 4PM was its schedule to depart from Cebu International Airport. Haha.. We had fun waiting anyway. And even when Sarah forwarded the pilot’s text message that they had landed already to the moment when the pilot approached us. We were very excited and it always shows. So when a man in white pilot uniform with an Aviatour patch, black pants and shoes holding a portfolio appeared from the gate, Kai right away stood up. It was somewhat embarrassing for us so we calmed ourselves once again, sat politely and waited patiently(?). Until he approached and asked if we were his and his co-pilot’s passengers. Weeehh..

It was a blessing also that we left Cagayan de Oro at 5PM. Along our ride, we had a glance of the city from above, the sea beyond, the island of Camiguin from a distance, Negros island, Siquijor, we passed by Bohol and saw the famous Chocolate Hills, etc. And most of all, we were blessed to witness the sunset on the horizon. We were met by glad faces of friends at the Cebu airport, at the hangar of Aviatour.

The camp went well. My companions were assigned dorms and campers they had to take care for the duration of the camp. I, as well, was into swimming and snorkeling again. I had already prepared myself for the scorching heat and burnt skin but I didn’t imagined it to be this much. I had sunburn on my nose, on my face, then at my shoulders, which hadn’t healed until now. On the second activity day of the camp, I even had a slight fever. But life must go on, I still had swimming class to attend to and snorkeling class to assist. It was even an opportunity to swim along with the fishes, marvel at the creation under the blue waters we often see, see sea snakes that lie at the bottom of the sea, a straight sea horse, starfishes, fishes coming out of the corals, swimming beneath us, colorful coral reefs that weren’t bleached yet, etc. It was amazing indeed. Until such time that I had had enough of the view since we ventured to the same spot everyday, morning and afternoon for 4 days. Nonetheless, it was a blessing.

I had great co-workers too. Aside from the Cebu people who welcomed, included and accepted us, the Mindanao staffs warmly, we always had great food and I had 2 bottles of Gatorade a day provision. Hehe.. Working alongside with the Mindanao youth workers in this camp was one big blessing for me. It was an opportunity also for them to be part of the Cebu and other people’s lives. At times, we would go out after the campers are settled into their rooms at night and just talk about our day and the days to come. When we couldn’t gather for some time, a tap on the shoulder, an exchange of conversations, a smile, sitting beside them during sessions, eating with them, a short how-are-you encourages all of us. The bonding that we had established from our Davao City camp the previous month was further nurtured at the Cebu camp. It has bonded us so much that we became very comfortable with each other, always ready with a helping hand and an understanding heart to each one of us. That was great! I’m glad they came as well. This year at Cebu camp, I was not alone.

After the camp, we spent our time at Sibulan, Negros Oriental, the town next to Dumaguete City, at an adopted Mindanao team member. Just some unwinding, relaxing, more bonding moments, laughs to cherish, etc. We had our walk at the airport runway, took pictures with the 2-seater planes parked at the hangar, went to Dumaguete City, strolled from their market to Silliman University campus to look for a Jollibee outlet and we didn’t have our tour guide with us, had swimming time at Forest Camp, strolled at the park of Valencia, Negros Oriental, had fried ice cream, strolled at baywalk, had a snack at a camper’s house inside the Silliman University campus, had a drinking spree which bonded us more, walked again at the airport runway, lain at the runway gazing on the starless sky, visited their provincial hall, walked again to Silliman University campus, strolled at Silliman University campus, had body glitters, etc. Those were such cherished moments. Wish we had more time at Dumaguete City, we could have visited Sta. Catalina also. Anyway, at least we have something to look forward to the next time we have the opportunity to visit Negros Oriental. Next year maybe? Hehe.. I hope. Then back at Cebu City, bonding time with the Cebu City people, chit-chat, mais con yelo, SM Cebu, Sto. Niño Church, Magellan’s Cross, and McDonald JY Square for a treat.

It was fun, really. So sad that it had to end and we had to part ways once again. I had great travel companions, fellow youth workers, friends, brothers and sisters. How many times have I said that already. Haha.. Anyway.. For sure, it will not be the end of our adventure or larag-larag. With the bonding and trust we had established, I hope our planned Palawan trip next year would be a reality.