Our 'Epic' Journey to Oriental Mindoro: Day 4 - A roadtrip and a church cleanup

*still incomplete

Didn't have any particular plans for today but I still woke up early to take a shower just because. We then had breakfast of puto and coffee outside in the mini-hut with other relatives of Albert. Several Christian songs after, I went inside to nurse my runny nose and to have a quiet time -- literally and figuratively.

Then I tried to somewhat put my stuff in order to make it easier for tomorrow's packing when I realized I really should wash the pants I used yesterday because I don't want to pack it still moist and smelling like saltwater. So I headed straight to Tita's to wash two pairs of pants and hung out there while waiting for...whatever plans they come up with I guess.

Well, it's almost time for brunch and Dan has yet to finish his laundry and everybody else has yet to shower so I guess we'll be leaving later than sooner.

First stop: 333 steps

Finally, just before lunchtime, everyone was able to prepare for a road trip so courtesy of Albert's relatives, we headed straight for that place that has 333 steps. I enjoyed the ride as we were able to watch nice sceneries unfolding outside the aircontinous van. We even shot a video clip but since I can't find a proper video hosting site, it'll have to wait.

Yep, that's a jump shot atop a long flight of stairs. Thumbs up to Albert XD

Anyway, most of us trekked up the stairs in the middle of the afternoon so you could just imagine how hot the weather was. We're all sweating like crazy and we had to stop for short breaks just to catch our breath. Good thing the view from the top is worth it.

So of course my camera-loving companions didn't waste such a great opportunity for photo-ops and took loads of pics. Never mind that the heat was unbearable, right Dan? XD

And he's shocked his skin got totally sunburnt. I wonder why.

Next stop:

Come on in!

It was way past lunchtime when we got back home and we only had a few minutes to cool down before we head off to Pastor Rey's. Albert has already mentioned to us about him during our first day there but we had to reschedule the visit because of some things.

I was thinking it would be like a so-so visit and imagined we'd probably talk about ministry stuff while eating a proper lunch. Well, I was wrong on both counts but I actually wouldn't trade what happened even for a family-size pizza.

The church led by Pastor Rey is located inside an elementary school where he works as a teacher. He also mans the cafeteria and lives there onsite as well. He came off as very friendly and welcoming, partly because he offered us drinks and cupcakes right off the bat.

10 commandments paper

Church visit turned church cleanup


And though we're totally beat from all that work, thank God we still had energy to walk (halfway) back home while jamming to Christian songs.


I was already itching to get a shower but the guys were still leisurely not-packing their stuff for tomorrow. -_- I was already like, Guys let's get moving already. But no, it still took us around an hour before we arrived at the big house. That was after I had to remind Ron that he should have packed everything already and after I was obliged to fold Dan's just-dried clothes.

Thankfully, Albert's parents drove us to the big house. Before I got the chance to sit down to dinner though, I already sensed that monthly period coming so I hurried to the shower. I was just taking my time there without realizing they might have been waiting for me to finish. XD And I don't want to blame mood swings that usually comes with period or anything but I must admit I totally lost appetite and even the will to interact with people at that time. That's why after that long shower, I already dozed off in the living room.

Tobecontinued...