cont...My First Hiking Experience (Sta Lucia)

It was a two and half hours ride to get to Dolores, San Pablo. We set up our tent and things as soon as we get in at Sta. Lucia and they began to tell us the dos and don’ts of trekking around Sta. Lucia. No shouting, respect nature and animals even the smallest and ugliest creature you can see. We will be in one with them. No picking of trees and leaves. Do not get anything from the mountain. Greet everyone on the road with “Good Morning Sir/Mam". Buddy system, where you have to walk in pair, should be always observed. They are not actually professionals hikers but they told us everything they know so we would not get hurt.

I already forgot the specific names of the place we have been through in Sta. Lucia except the 200+ steps from river to Sta. Lucia. It was a very tedious walk, a first time I could not forget but it’s worth it. Each of the places we have been through is sacred. Each of our steps is not a mere walk but rather a spiritual pilgrimage. We are not alone, there are so many devotees performing religious rites. But I would admit that there are times that we would not be silent enough to hear the sounds of nature but rather our own voices. Yes, we do laugh and giggle on small jokes and just enjoy each other company.

In that three days and two nights stay in Sta. Lucia, we have already appreciated the journey with them. I have confirmed that they really are kanto boys…most of them did not finished schooling, no regular jobs, and sometimes they really do engage in street fights. What so amazing is that these men, who are labeled by society negatively, are the ones we really felt have great concerns to us. They helped us conquer our fears and to continue on the steps trusting our feet to hold the ground, the rocks to help us instead to hurt us, and their hands to hold when we need help. They are really gentlemen. They respect people, nature, and views. They would not be hesitant to talk to us, for them mountain is the best place where everyone’s feet is on the ground. Everyone is equal!   I thought our journey would end there at Sta Lucia but there is something more. We have not planned it but it just came through our conversation. They told us about Kinabuhayan, Durungawan and all other mystical names that I myself had been curios enough to go there. We just have one and half more day left but I asked them if we can go there. And off we go to Kinabuhayan that Black Saturday and on Easter Sunday AM we will then go up the Durungawan.

Durungawan next...
;Des