chapter one:  sunday – "the morning after"

the sound of rain pouring outside disturbed my otherwise restful sleep.   it was still dark, but signs of dawn breaking were visible from the window.  still lying down, i surveyed the room.  there were at least 8 of us inside, all except me were fast asleep.  the only thing i hate about sleeping in other places outside my room at home is that when someone or something wakes me up, it's impossible for me to go back to sleep.  yet i remained laid down, trying my hardest to get a couple more hours of z's, but to no avail.  my mind was already up and about, not to mention my stomach, perhaps looking forward to breakfast since i didn't have any dinner last night.  i checked my mobile phone and it read 5:30am.  so i decided to do what's normally being done when one wakes up:  go to the bathroom.  the moment i sat up, a blinding headache shot me back down.  "damn hangover," i said to myself as i steadied myself and slowly re-attempted to get up.  as i positioned myself at the end of the bed, my eyes getting accustomed to the dimly lit room, i started to tiptoe towards the bathroom, carefully not disturbing any of the others who decided to sleep on the mattress on the floor.

i went back to bed after going about my business and again tried to get some more sleep.  even with my eyes closed, not an ounce of drowsiness overcame me.  for some reason i just laid there, my mind just empty yet consciousness was very active.   after it seemed like an eternity of nothingness, i heard the others stir and slowly wake up.  grunting sounds then filled the room as my colleagues stretched and tried to make sense of what's going on.  eventually, we were all awake and decided to get some breakfast.  the others who arrived the day before hurried up and tried to take advantage of waking up early to do more things, like having massages, going on a ride on the banana boat, exploring the beach and of course, swimming.  the five of us, after composing ourselves, went to get some breakfast.  just like yesterday morning, stories and anecdotes of what happened last night filled the breakfast table.  i guess it's safe to say that everyone, and i mean every one of us was horribly drunk.  after breakfast, i decided to go to the beach where the other group was to get some more sun.  i didn't go back in the water for i was scheduled to leave shortly after lunch and i didn't want to go through the uncomfy feeling of leaving while having so much fun.  i just watched the others from where i was.  the sun eventually came out after being covered by a big ass cloud and everyone heaved a sigh of happiness.  i stayed there for a couple of hours, chatting while some of my colleagues took turns in getting a massage.

chapter two:  sunday – "the lone ride home"

my ferry ticket read, "1:00PM – 4/29/07."  'twas already 10:30am and i decided to go back to the room to fix my things.  i was the only one scheduled to leave that day, while the rest were set to leave early monday afternoon.  if not for some things i had to do on monday (read:  responsibilities), then i would've remained there in a heartbeat.  i mean, who could resist getting drunk again that night?  imagine, three straight nights of consuming alcohol and being in a state of… utter drunkenness?  yet inasmuch as it was convincingly tempting, my mind was already set on staying there until sunday only.  i took a shower and packed my things.  i didn't want to disturb the others who were having fun out on the beach so i went to eat lunch alone.  i also used the extra time to make another sweep of the stores to get something for the folks back home.  after some shopping, i went back to the room to rest up before the ferry trip back to batangas port.  i saw edon, nikki, chris and chuchay outside the room, already drinking the tequila they brought along!  another noontime session!  they offered me some shots, and being a good sport even though i was leaving, gamely chugged them.  after spending some time with them while waiting for boarding time, i bid farewell.  i thanked them for letting me tag along and for having such a great time.  handshakes and hugs went around, then off to the beach i went.

i sat by the bar near the area where the ferries dock, load and unload passengers.  it was already 12:45pm and there was still no sign of the ferry.  good thing some of my other colleagues were at the same bar, also drinking and kept me company while waiting.  the ferry arrived 45 minutes late.  after exchanging goodbyes with the other group, i proceeded to board the ferry.  it left the island after 10 minutes.  the ferry ride back was not as interesting as the one going to the island.  the pace was steady and i just listened to music on my ipod.  upon arriving at the batangas city port an hour and a half later, i looked for the bus terminal and upon finding it, got on board on a bus bound to alabang and waited for it to depart.  vendors climbed aboard, selling food and drinks.  i realized i was thirsty and a bit hungry so i bought two bottles of mineral water and peanuts for the trip.  i texted nikki, edon and chuchay, informing them that i just got on the bus and headed back to the city.  the bus left after around 30 minutes and i remember falling asleep about half the trip.

i arrived home with a smile on my face at 6:45pm to the delight of my mom, brother and sister.   they asked me how my galera experience was, and i happily told them how the place was, what we did, and the fun i had.  after dinner, i gave them the things i bought for them.  i texted nikki, edon and chuchay again, this time letting them know that i arrived home safe.  i also thanked them again for the fun i had, it being my first time there.  i was tired from the trip, so i retired to bed early, with memories of what happened for those two days still vividly etched in my mind.  just before i finally fell asleep, i thought to myself, "time to plan when to go back there!"