A Not So (Un)pleasant Bagoong Incident
I vividly remember that “smelly” incident that happened in Madrid eight years ago. I accompanied my friend Mae to Barajas Airport to collect Jesica who was arriving from Manila via Doha. When we got to…
Conversations over dinner: the independence of Catalonia
Jordi looked at me trying not to laugh and then turned serious. “Nats, although the September 11 terrorist attack was a terrible thing that affected not only the US but the whole world, this is…
The Power of Not Blinking
“Never run after a bus or a man. There will always be another one.” – Anonymous They say that bad habits are hard to die. You see, I have this thing with Spanish buses, they…
My Tasty Mutant Easter Doughnuts
I secretly scowl at the sight of the figures that are slowly morphing into hideous creatures bathing in the hot bubbling oil in front of me. A scene from my childhood suddenly flashes before my…
Camino Day 14 – ¡Buenos Diás, Por Favoh!
“The door is locked! We can´t get out!” Instead of answering my morning greeting, this was how Isabel greeted me. The door which leads to the restaurant and the entrance of the albergue was locked. …
Camino Day 2 – Walking With The Cows, Running With The Bulls
I wake up grumpy and cranky. Blame it on the Chinese woman occupying the bunker bed beside mine. She must have thought that the whole room is all hers and the 39 of us are…
Day 1 – Magic in Camino de Santiago
“Nats, magic happens in the Camino,” Esther, my Catalan friend once told me. She has the gift of foresight, I concede because a series of “magical moments (though they may sound insignificant) happened right at…
Walking the Camino de Santiago – Arrival
The bus finally comes to a halt. We have reached our destination: Roncesvalles, Navarra. I follow the beeline of passengers, my fellow “walkers” or to put it appropriately, my fellow peregrinos, towards the bus’ side…