I CAN SEA: A Day On The Waves - A Travelogue by Andrea Ordonez

 I CAN SEA: A Day On The Waves

by Andrea Joy S. Ordoñez

Lingayen Beach

Who would've thought that sitting was strangely tiring, and that, waiting can be an anticipation that almost felt like desperation? It was a weird combination of exhaustion and anticipation.

    I can still remember that strikingly vivid memory; It was in the year 2022, when we were on our way to Manaoag, Pangasinan to attend the mass. And writing this was actually very funny but strangely unfamiliar to me, because I have a short term memory impairment, wherein, I often forgot things even though it occurred just recently. But this one's different. Because who would forgot the memory that made your first teenage life complete?

   For the first time, we were complete. My family, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and all my cousins – it was the perfect gathering. It almost feels like, all the heavy feelings and doubts that I had were suddenly erased and everything just goes very smoothly, happy, and soothingly. "Ahh, awitin mo at isasayaw ko-" the harmony and rhythm linger in my ear and lasted in my memory. It weaves through my soul, oh to be lost in that exact moment once more. It was bewildering. Me and my sister were in the passenger seat of my Lolo's jeepney, everyone else were at the back, jiving to the music as it roared at the four sides of the wheels. Bumping, laughing- everything else did not matter, because again, it was a very fun experience.

    Thereafter, when we arrived at our first destination, we all came to our own family. I was only 15 years old, but I am the one who was holding my little cousin's hand. Her tiny and soft yet sweaty hands were wrapped around my securing finger— scared to let me go. As we march to the Church we carried the oils and the beautiful bracelets that were made by the Manaoag citizens, some we so friendly that they gave us a souvenir. We stood shoulder-to-shoulder, knees to knees amidst the crowd in the Church, but it didn't matter. We were together, and that was all that mattered.

    After that, we came to our second destination, my Lola's hometown- Lingayen Beach. I can still vividly remember when we were chuckling and laughing because one of my Titos was already putting sunblock and kept making jokes— which made our experience more fun. and our laughter louder. Still far, but our pupil can already witness the beauty of the horizon, the sea! The water, catching the sun's rays, sparkled with a brilliance that was almost mesmerizing. It was impossible to blink nor look away. We were at awed. As soon as I step my foot on the sand, I almost shriek at the heat that rush through me. It was blazingly hot! But I did not bother because I am filled with joy and shouldn't be bothered! Afterwards, we all sprinted towards the inviting water, warmingly inviting us with an enormous wave which we all dodged but still failed.

  Then, sitting in a circular way, we all gaze at the other side of the horizon. The quiet and the ambiance was somewhat emotional that even I couldn't bare to just stare blankly to the beauty of the sea. And we all watch the sun hides, where all the rays became grays and everything just became dark but not us. We knew that the beauty of the sea wasn't only seen when there is a sun, the true beauty of the sea can be seen at the gloomy night, too. The moon being reflected in the water made me reflect on myself too. Giving me so many revelations and reflections.

    Indeed, it was a very fun experience. Because why would I longed for this memory when it's almost at three (years)?

WAY BACK
IN TIME,
JUST WITH

YOU 

Travelogue is a written account or a film that describes a journey, focusing on the places visited, the people encountered, and the experiences had along the way.