Exploits of a City Dweller

Nothing taints your favorite holiday like having to work when you’re supposed to be inebriated.

So to all of you free souls that are out and about on this All Hallow’s Eve, enjoy that swig of alcohol and hope that we won’t run into anything ghoulish or disconcerting…like say, a Republican victory (Shudder, shudder! Perish the thought!).

In an attempt to salvage whatever’s left of my festive spirit, I thought I’d leave a little salutation before I stop procrastinating.

Just to underscore a few points from my recent trip:

Right around the Camp John Hay area, along Loakan Road, sits a cozy little restaurant that I have vowed to force on anyone who plans to set foot on Baguio. So if you happen to be one of those people, it is now incumbent upon you to swing by the Forest House Bistro & Cafe. A little pricey for something perched that high up in the mountains but I’m telling you it’s well worth the effort. The winter log cabin ambience alone is enough to justify half the bill, let alone the actual grub and the impeccable service.

Far be it from me to write a food review as my palette is nowhere near being refined but I thought I’d give it a shot. Their Norwegian Salmon Steak with lemon butter sauce has a consistency that is somewhat reminiscent of the M&M tagline: melts in your mouth, not in your…in this case…plate. Let’s put it this way: it is now my last meal of choice should reality be flipped and I be sentenced to the chair. That’s how big a fan I am.

We also ordered the Bouillabaisse Soup in a bread bowl, the Salpicado Local and a good Benguet brew to top. Another menu suggestion would be the Shrimp Thermidiore which will be my target on my next visit.

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We were up and about one afternoon when I felt the urge to use the facilities. While in line at the public restroom, I noticed an imperically-speaking attractive young bloke standing right behind me. Now, for all of you Hallmark-card thinkers, allow me to put the  kibosh on any ideas that might have been ignited by my previous sentence. Out of sheer curiousity I turned tow and behold, the word “Maintenance Crew” on his shirt caught my eye.

Hmmm…Baguio is beginning to sound like a very interesting town. And as The Beached Bear later pointed out, we already have something in common: we both clean up after other people’s shit for a living. In my defense, I do it metaphorically. Besides, how the hell are we going to explain ourselves to the grandkids?

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Here’s a picture of me scaling the muddy steps of the Tam-awan Village. It had just rained the night before and the trail that went up to the Ifugao huts was a bit tricky, especially if you’re as sure-footed as I am (do not miss the irony there).

This photo should be enough to eliminate any doubts that I am of an urban constitution. But in case it hasn’t been stated enough, here’s another symptom. On my first morning there, I noticed a pillar of white smoke quickly seeping out from behind the houses in the horizon. Without thinking, I shrieked, “Oh my god! Is something burning?!”

It turned out to be a cloud. How strange to encounter one this close to the ground.

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I’m planning to spend Christmas there this year. Previously I opposed the idea of being anywhere other than home during this particular holiday.

I changed my mind.

P.S. I am officially taking pasalubong requests. Preferrably something small and manageable and nothing in the form of a Baguio walis. I have done that only once and toting one of those back to Manila was…shall we say…interesting. At this point it is safe to say that only The Queen Mother has exclusive rights to any further broom purchases.

Recently my bestfriend developed a penchant for taking pictures of random patterns. Anything and everything in her immediate vicinity that would look good on wallpaper. Then last week we were sitting in the Forest House (an excellent restaurant that warrants a review on a separate entry…after I’m done procrastinating, that is) and this seemingly innocuous photo was taken. The obvious intention being to capture the fabric’s design. Minutes later we noticed something very odd…

 Uhmm…Yes? Can we help you?

What the?!! Can somebody please help pumpkin face with whatever he needs so he can get out of the way!

A couple weeks ago I found myself in one of those drinking sessions where you and your contingent sit around racking your brains for your top five everything…Movies…Music…Books…Etcetera, etcetera. This morning I watched High Fidelity and that too involved a lot of top fives. Go figure.

Considering that this is the reoccuring theme of my life at the moment, I might as well lay down the top five songs my wee MP3 player has been playing in a loop these past few weeks. And kids, if you still have Avril and ’em Jonas peaches hitting your stereo, there will come a time when you will feel the need to exorcise your playlist. Give me a jingle when you do.  

So here they are. Eppie, I hope this answers your question.

1. Goodbye Stranger by Supertramp

2. Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead

3. Driving Sideways by Aimee Mann

4. My Sharona by Knack – You can’t beat that scene in Reality Bites where they start dancing in the gas station. Classic.

5. All the Young Dudes by Mott the Hoople

Of course, this is subject to change depending on my mood. But, yes, if I were about to face the chair in this particular phase of my life, these are the last five songs I would want to hear.

Top five movies, books, etc. to come after a bout of serious deliberation.