Happy 2016! It's my first time being away from family on New Year's. The craziest thing I did was walk from town back to my apartment. I guess I better start from the top:
• I walked home.Hehe I'm not certain how many kilometers lay between where I was and my apartment, but I didn't really mind. It was peaceful and quiet. I felt safe, something I can only dream about being when I'm in Manila.
- A friend hinted there may be a citywide fireworks display at 7:30 p.m. I wanted to see that and maybe shoot some revelers before going to mass.
- I think the show started early? Or it didn't happen at all? Anyway when I got into town, no fireworks.
- Attended the 8 p.m. mass at the cathedral.
- Since I haven't had anything to eat since lunch, I looked for a spot to have a small meal. My options were limited, as most of the restaurants along the main street were already closed.
- Since I had been planning to down a couple of beers anyway, I decided to head over to my favorite watering hole because they stay open even during holidays
- Ordered their best pizza, creamy beef. And a beer. Chatted with the staff, wished friends and family a happy new year via social media. Haha. Had another bottle before heading home. Time check: 11 p.m. I told the staff I'll be greeting the new year from my apartment. They replied, "so, you'll be spending the remaining hour walking home."
- I was again told it's difficult to get a cab home. I joked that I'll walk home if ever I don't manage to flag one.
• I walked home.Hehe I'm not certain how many kilometers lay between where I was and my apartment, but I didn't really mind. It was peaceful and quiet. I felt safe, something I can only dream about being when I'm in Manila.
- The clock struck 12 just as I entered the borders of my own neighborhood. People were watching the neighboring areas' fireworks from the street. I stopped walking and watched with them.
- I continued the uphill climb until I reached a little rotunda near my building. I had an urge to look up at the sky again.
- There, right above me, was something twinkling. I thought it was a plane, but it started zooming across the sky, leaving a trail of sparkly stardust. I realized it was a shooting star (ok, meteor). I considered it a good omen, and wished for a great year.
I got home without incident, got to call my family, and virtually high-fived my friends. It was a great start.