Within the first quarter of 2017, someone from Wattpad Davao approached me via Facebook and asked if I’d like to come to Davao for the meetup they were organizing. I thought about it for weeks. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about Davao and I’ve always wanted to visit. So, I said okay.
However, the ticket was a bit pricey since I had someone book it a month before the trip. That someone happened to be from a ticketing agency so they added a few hundred pesos to my ticket. I also had to change my flight because they got it wrong.
Anyway, all that aside, I was still gearing to go. But then, a few weeks before the actual trip, an unfortunate incident occurred in Marawi, a town just a few hours away from Davao. Because of the attack in Marawi, the president decided to implement Martial Law in Mindanao.
So, I told the organizers that I won’t be going because my parents were scared of what might happen to me.
One day before my flight, I learned that all the other authors except for one won’t be going as well. I felt bad because I could go. I wasn’t scared of Martial Law because I saw how it was on TV. People were just taking pictures with the tanks and the soldiers. I know I should not have taken it lightly but the Davaoeños were okay with it, and they’re there to experience it. The people of Luzon were more scared because we weren’t used to that law.
Anyway, Ate J talked me into going. She gave me directions and instructions, given that it was my first flight ever! I was actually more scared of that.
The flight was pretty easy and comfortable. I didn’t get lost in the airport. I had no problem checking in. And the actual flight was only 2 hours long, so I didn’t experience any discomfort. When we landed in Davao, the organizers met with me and together with Ate J, we went to the place where we’ll be staying for one night.
The next morning, we went to the GAP farm to meet with the readers. They were so disciplined and nice. Most of them were minors and they adhered to the rules. When Yui told them not to come near us while we’re having lunch, they stayed in one place and waited patiently. They were probably the most disciplined readers I’ve ever encountered.
Rhye was our designated tour guide. He picked us up from the hotel, fed us breakfast, took us to the GAP farm, and accompanied us to the Roxas night market. We loved the night market! We had coffee first because the night market only opens at night (thanks, Captain Obvious). I forgot the name of the cafe but it was near Marfori street, I think. Rhye and I had fun listening to Ate J’s stories with the alta people in Bacolod. She was a flamboyant story teller.
Rhye made us try the famous creamy ice cream from a humble ice cream cart. We didn’t meet Mang Danny but Rhye spoke highly of the self-made man. We also had dalandan juice from a quirky vendor. We didn’t eat a lot because we were still full. We only managed a few sticks of barbeque and a small clump of seaweed salad. It was my first time trying that dish. It tasted like salt water.
After the food trip, we headed to the area of the market where they sell cheap clothes (ukay-ukay). I wanted to buy some but it was hard to choose with all the people also looking for something to buy. The security was tight. Each block had a checkpoint and everyone had to open their bags for inspection. However, the Davaoeños were known for their discipline. Everyone followed the rules, even the tourists and foreigners.
We didn’t stay for long because we were already tired. So, after walking along the stalls, we went back to the hotel to rest.
The next morning, Rhye picked us up again for the second day adventures! We checked out first, then we headed to a Korean place (I forgot the name of the place). It had weird decor. The chairs looked like they’re one of a kind pieces. Tables have different themes. The menu was also very… all over the place. They had Japanese, Italian, Filipino, and other cuisines from other nations. They don’t have samgyupsal so that’s a bit of a downer. The bolognese I ordered didn’t surpass the taste of Bistro Ravioli’s. The only redeeming item on the menu was the purple lemonade.
After our lunch, we headed to the Pawsome Dog Cafe, which officially became my favorite place in Davao after that one visit.
It was a lot of fun! Sadly, I had to go back home. So, after meeting up with Yui and unsuccessfully finding pomelo to bring home (I can’t bring whole pomelos. They had to be peeled and put in a styrofoam plate with cling wrap), she and another admin accompanied me back to the airport. Yui got me pastel buns, though. They were yummy!
My first plane experience was great. I’d love to fly to anywhere, be it domestic or international, again soon. I also loved the Davao experience, thanks to the readers, to Yui and the other admins, and especially to Rhye, who had been nothing but wonderful.
I’d surely go back!
kwentonijhingness 