My 22nd birthday: The unexpected trip during vacant school hours

I couldn’t imagine that my 22nd birthday celebration would become an experience that I wouldn’t forget. An experience that until now was vividly clear in my mind and all I want to do is to be grateful. Prior to the day of my birthday, we had a tumultuous amount of school work and our professor advised us that we would be having a computer laboratory. In addition, our schedule at that time was from seven in the morning to 9 in the evening. Could you imagine what time in my schedule could I celebrate my birthday? Totally there’s none.

It was before I sleep when I desired and wished that I hope I can still treat myself to the place I usually go to. I wouldn’t deny that I was truly afraid that my special day would end as if nothing had happened. However, none of my expectations went to reality. The next morning, I was already on campus, sitting in the study shed when my classmates arrived. They told me that our class was canceled due to an emergency meeting of professors. And I was like, “Really? The Heavens heard my desire, then.”

_{The view at the side and front of Gallego Pares-Pares.}

At the same time, my friends greeted me with a lively happy birthday song and they planned to go to Tagaytay. They wanted to eat in a particular pares house called Gallego Pares-Pares. I haven’t been there but based on their reviews, the food was delicious. We traveled from our university (Cavite State University - CCAT) to Gallego Pares-Pares, Tagaytay, City. It was an hour motorcycle ride and thankfully, the weather was fine. It wasn’t sunny at all.

_{My friends and I leaving the Gallego.}

The Gallego Pares-Pares were an absolutely good place to visit because of their popular budget-friendly Pares. I was astounded by the taste of the soup given that I always eat Pares around my area. There’s something interesting about its taste that until now, I can remember well. Aside from the food, the spectacular view will give a chilling view of the lowlands and you can see the beauty of Taal Lake. Although it was the peak of the afternoon, we didn’t feel warm at all. It’s the place was windy and the sky was cloudy.

_{A stolen shot looking at the bottom of the place.}

We didn’t stay long after we finished eating. We took some selfies and the view. Then, we proceeded to the next destination which was the People’s Park. We thought of going to Picnic Grove first but the entrance fee is quite expensive for us. So, we headed straight to People’s Park although the sun was gradually appearing in the sky. We didn’t have any jackets since we came unprepared. We paid for our tickets to enter the park and we started walking towards the peak.

_{Our group photo posing, enjoying, and walking in the People's Park in the Sky.}

In all honesty, I was having a hard time walking at that time because I had some issues with my black shoes. My shoes continuously scratched my ankles. However, it was really fun having good conversations with my friends and we were so open about some possibilities and what-ifs in life. We were at the top of the place and we could see the entirety of lowlands below. It was wonderful, ecstasy, and we casually joking what if, ten years from now, we owned one of the private houses with our own golf course.

_{Jesus Christ's statue at the top of the People's Park.}

At the back of our minds, we will leave the place around 12:00 p.m. and will arrive at the university around 1:20 p.m. But then, our supposed professor messaged on our group chat that she couldn’t attend the class because she was sick. We were happy and thought of strolling around even more. At that time, they planned to go to Twin’s Lake, Tagaytay City, and Fantasy World, Lemery, Batangas. It was a very long drive from our current place and we took several stops to refill the tank of their motorcycles.

_{A shot near in the Twin Lakes' garden.}

_{Spectacular view you can see in the Twin Lakes.}

It was my very first time to visit Twin Lakes and I was astonished at how good the place was. It was filled with various restaurants, local shops, and supermarkets. At the bottom part of Twin Lakes, you can use the man-made bridges and take selfies from them. If you continue to stroll around, you can visit the garden where several fishes lived. Thus, I do not why I am still amazed by the view even if it’s the same from wherever you look at Tagaytay City.

_{A group photo at Domaine Le Jardin.}

On our way to Lemery, Batangas, we took several stops again because of my friend’s eagerness to take photos of the tourist spots. Who wouldn’t want to capture the moments of being with your good friends, right? So, we never missed any single good spot and eat some street foods as well. It was very hot and the sun showed up in the vast sky. I felt the warm kiss of the sunlight penetrating my skin but we still continued our journey.

_{The Fantasy World taken afar from its gate.}

_{Do I pose as if there's a crown or lift the castle?}

We made it to Fantasy World around 3 p.m. and it was really cool. We found the place quiet, although there are several people eating at the side of the road. They were having a picnic with their own families and families. My friend took out some cash and bought food and drinks. We had no proper lunch because we were eating at several street food vendors along the way. Nothing special happened in Batangas but I enjoyed my friends’ company. They jokingly teased me about a happy birthday song and how good the timing was.

I felt the Heavens were so good to me at that time because everything I wished for came true. It manifested and I experienced all of them. I was very thankful to my friends who initiated the sudden tour in Tagaytay City and Lemery, Batangas. They knew how grateful I was and everything was worth it. I went home full of sunburns all over my body, particularly on my face and arms. The 22nd birthday’s unexpected trip during vacant school hours will be a lifetime imprinted on my mind.