Taking Some Time Off

Officially, today is the first day of my service leave. It's a benefit I could get for four years of service. Prior to this, I had taken a straight five-day off from work and from home, just to finish the revision for my dissertation proposal. I thought, it was best for me to do before going for a long vacation ahead.

I got a book with me, my dissertation paper, my laptop and a few clothes all packed in my bag, then head back to Sagada, Mountain Province. There are many options for me to go, but I thought it would be better there as I would be so far from anyone I know.  I found the place conducive to writing, because of the climate, besides there are not just much to do there except eat, sleep and walk.

I needed a time off to revise my paper. I needed a place where no one could distract me. I found the right place in Sagada. Arriving there on a Wednesday afternoon, I spent the rest of the day sleeping as I did not much get sleep in the bumpy ride up to the mountains. When I woke up, I turned on my laptop and started reading through the comments on my paper.

My mind was still not there; I found myself undecided to what I was writing. So, I turned to the paper instead, read through the comments and commented on them, and by hand wrote my revisions at the back of the paper. After that, I went out to take supper, then got back to work. The next morning, I decided to take the whole day writing. I told myself, I could not go out for fun without completing the revisions.

That Thursday was so fruitful, that I myself was surprised to my mind to work and complete the revisions I needed to do. So, then I could take a real time off. I went out that night for a drink with Aldrich, a local guide I met in my first trip to Sagada, and retired to wake up to a cold Friday morning.

My plan was to do some mountain hiking, that morning with Aldrich but he was asleep through the morning, and when he replied that we would go in the afternoon, it just rained so hard. Consequently, I had to spend that lazy Friday, looking at the pine trees from the veranda, reading the book I brought, watching TV and sleeping.

I was getting bored. Good enough, that on Saturday morning, Aldrich was ready to go with me hiking over Mt. Ampacao. That Friday I spent half of that day overlooking the towns of Sagada and Besao, and the nearby towns, after hours of hiking to witness the serenity of Lake Danum and the gaze at the magnificent mountains of Bontoc, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. We had lunch together afterwards, then planned our next adventure.


I woke up to a beautiful Sunday, texted my travel buddy to go to Echo Valley and Bokong Falls. I planned to meet him near the Zipline that morning, but after he agreed to see me there, he did not appear. I thought, time is not just an element in the laid-back life in Sagada. At past nine, I walked back to the inn, and watched TV. It was around 3 PM till my travel buddy was near the area.

I sent him a message to inquire, if we're still going, and he replied. On foot we walked the trail to the Echo Valley, it was behind the Anglican cemetery over the church of Saint Mary the Virgin. We went nearer the hanging coffins, it was vertical descent on steep, rocky and muddy trail. After some rest and kidding around with those on top, pretending to be echoes, we took the trail by the river to Bokong Falls.

That trail got me to see several caves where the river water goes through. It was explained to me, that the water going through the underground river gets to Sumaguing cave. I had to climb over big rocks, crossover waters, and pass through a cave, then up to the road, and down to Bokong Falls, which is near the Masferre Photographs museum.

It was all worth it. A dip in the cold mountain water overflowing from Bokong falls seemed to washed off my tiresome feeling. we got to Bokong Falls at half past four, but because of the rain clouds coming together, it looked like it was nearly six. We stayed there until half past five and got to the Poblacion, soaked in the drizzle just in time for dinner.

A light drink over bottle of beers would be nice for that night, but my travel buddy slept and could not accompany me. So, I retired that night after packing my things for my trip back home the next day. I had fond memories of the first time adventures I had. I was fulfilled that I was able to complete my paper revisions and had some days for adventure.

Everybody needs a break, a time off from what tires the body in the life's daily routine. That time off gives the needed break to rejuvenate, be refreshed, rest and recreate. I'm so blessed I have my time off. From today, my mind is preoccupied of where to go next.