Eat, Pray, Love

How far will I go for soul-searching? What will I give up to find my treasure? Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is so bold, so aggressive that it's not "me". But then there's something in her adventures and introspection that magnets me to it. It must be the truthfulness of her revelations that touched some string in me despite our difference.

I don't have the wealth of a lucky writer, that I cannot, just at this point in time, travel over Italy, India and Indonesia to find "I" but can afford to Ilocos, Iloilo and the Island of Palawan...

Eat
To unravel the culture of Ilocos was one of those memorable college projects I had. Gastronomical treats for the eyes and tummy were unforgettable.

It could have been a precursor for heart attack, but Ilocos's version of lechon kawali, called bagnet is a must-try! Their orange-colored empanada paired with the local vinegar is curiously good, too. The original chichacorn especially the cheese-flavored one made me mad at its imitators sold here in the supermarkets! Why even try when not a nibble of its goodness was duplicated?!? And to top it all, Herencia Cafe's Pinakbet Pizza is truly delectable.

As for the eye's feast, almost every spot in Ilocos is worth munching. Paoay church, Cape Bojeador, Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud... all of them. The simplicity of the city, void of "city symptoms" wraps it all up in a good break too.

During that time, despite the dearth in moolah, I was determined to explore this country has to offer in little baby steps. The joy of meeting new faces, chatting with them, knowing much of their culture is priceless, too. Meanwhile, you don't realize it, but you get to learn things about yourself too.

Pray
I had been in Iloilo, but only in a fleet moment. The only thing that remained in my memory was the statue of the Virgin Mary while sailing from the port. Too young then, and so much full of myself to understand about praying and faith.

Pray. Faith. These are my treasures now. From then, if I grew in height and age, I am glad that my spiritual health is progressing too. And I am excited that I am learning much about my Christian faith. So that I am not just a Catholic in name but in words and deeds.

Yes, treasure. Without it I can't imagine how my life would be, and that is an understatement. For the meantime that I am nurturing this, I would be curt. Then maybe soon, I'd be able to fill this space with so much of His glory.

Love
We're not on the same page. Because the love that I'd be talking now is love of travel. And Island of Palawan, hopefully, please universe, I hope it wouldn't get cancelled under any circumstance.

Sorry, but that's all I can share under this title. But who knows (let me clear that I am NOT expecting, though) maybe in that island.... Well, these cheesy thoughts, must be the fault of this book and some people I know...

To be in love, well yes I believe that it's one blessing truly worth the pain and sacrifice.



The search for self doesn't stop there though but to go beyond means to find it is really one courageous thing to do. And time flies too, so to race for the prize is worth the sweat. But I am not yet that. I'm still the great procrastinator. Making deadlines that aren't met. Planning just so the planner gets inked. But maybe then, not to rationalize, this might be the reason for my writings... So that I'd get reminded once in a while. Hope I'll see myself soon embarking on that journey.