Breathtaking views of Baguio City, Philippines from Mirador and the iconic Diplomat Hotel — where nature and skyline meet
in perfect harmony.
The birds were chanting their chorus, as the sun glistened and the sunlight streaming
through the window, illuminating the huge bed in the room. The majestic mountain range of Cordillera in Baguio unfolds every soul with a bewitching sense of awe. I stood there for an immeasurable amount of time, admiring nature’s true beauty. We start our morning walk towards the city’s main street – the Session Road. The morning dew and the crisp air welcome us nicely as we gait downtown.
A couple of minutes passed by, we found ourselves in the heart of Baguio City, particularly at the well-known center for “pasalubong,” or souvenirs – the Baguio City Market. Then we roam around and observe the fresh vegetables coming from various farms in Benguet and neighboring regions. The crowd isn’t too large yet, but you can sense the bustling commerce atmosphere.
After we exploring the market area, we decided to rent a motorcycle. While riding, I frequently glanced around to see the encompassing places. Tall pine trees lined every corner of the streets, with the roads winding either uphill or downhill. Well, it is just the same as what is seen there in my hometown – stores, shops, hotels, terminals, and houses. What’s slightly different is that some people are talking in their dialect – Ilocano. Finally, we arrived! The initial sight of the Strawberry Farm left an irrevocable mark on me—a magnificent panorama that words could barely capture. Of course, I cannot miss the opportunity to have their famous strawberry ice cream. The sweet and refreshing flavor stuck with me, and the creamy texture provided a soothing sensation.
Overall, my Baguio trip was exciting and adventurous. I learned to embrace these new
experiences to integrate into these diverse cultures by eating their food, dressing in their clothes, etc. This has provided me with the awareness that people all over the world are basically the same but they are different in their cultures – have different ways of talking, singing, enjoying, dancing, writing, building, dressing, and conducting business. I have acquired a more global perspective of the world we live in.
