Travel Tour Expo 2013

17 February 2013

The snatched phone guy kept calling me Babes when he saw me the second time today. Oh golly, when was I christened Babes? Because I read Kleevan’s fb post on the 50% reduction for 2Go tickets, I decided to go by myself to the Travel Tour Expo 2013. At first I was having doubts about going but when I checked Saizen and found that origami and kirigami guides were sold out, I went there. The driver of the jeepney I happened to ride in was genial. He treated me as if we’ve been neighbors before.

There were lots of people in SMX Convention Center and the structure itself retained its marvel in my eyes. Such high ceilings and long escalators. It was another eye feast. This experience encouraged me to pursue DJ’s plans of visiting the Metropolitan Manila Museum. This day, I saw clearly how short I am. There are people of different nationalities participating in the event, most of them tall. Maybe they were even my height when they were only seven. The image of the three of us, Cze, Ling and I walking together flashed before me. My friends are both tall but they don’t mind my being short.

When I arrived and realized that I had to pay for admission, I almost decided against going. It’s the last day. I probably would’ve missed out the best of the expo. With that mindset I trailed off around MOA for an hour before I felt a tug to pursue my plan. So I went back to SMX and purchased that ticket. Finding the 2Go booth, I immediately bought tickets for Sam and me. I took advantage of the price reduction, thinking of her trip to Manila for college.

Despite being alone, I declare that I had a satisfying day at the expo. I was able to make the most out of it. I toured the entire enchilada, replete with flyers and people in different national costumes. Being there among all those bustling people made me forget I had short shorts on; people were too busy minding their own business to notice or size up others.

 MOA seemed to have an energy and clock of its own. The culture of people while in that compound is somewhat altered from what I sense in other places. The variety and copiousness of people is enthralling. The vibe is highly infectious. I’m seeing so much and learning so much just by looking at them.

Just when I thought there was nothing else to make me stay, there was this band there playing live. The amount I paid for admission wouldn’t amount to those four songs I’ve heard them play. They were astounding! They sounded great and their music really got to people, keeping us in their nets. I am no critique or musician but the lay person that I am in these matters, I can distinguish that they are of a different caliber. Too bad I was not able to take note of their name.  Hearing and seeing them perform fit describing them as playing. It was as if there was no effort at all, they were simply having fun; that we are onlookers, not people whose favor they want to get.  As I’ve seen they were a local band; Manila alone is filled with talented people. I would’ve invited them anywhere just to hear them play. Marvelous. They sounded good together. I hope they would not disband and that they would continue to create music.

After the last song ended, I headed for the Quiapo church replica, the Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. I even thought it eerie when people by the door looked at me with curiosity and a tinge of condemnation. I completely forgot I was wearing short shorts. Oh well, I still do not regret wearing them. I’ve shown off my legs – the legs which carried me all these 21 years. The same legs which enabled me to finish the fun run thrice around the sunken garden. (The fun run required only two rounds and I was that dumb to lose count. Okay Charles, you can laugh your head off. On the bright side, other than having something more to laugh about myself, I’ve proven my physical stamina commendable.). I should not be ashamed of them. And I discovered that I haven’t thrown my spoon. I left it in the salt canister.