The Aurora Experience: Baler

28 April 2010 (Day 1). Going to Aurora has always been a dreaded assignment for most of us DTI-3 associates (save for my officemate Jan who was so excited to go but was not permitted to join us) because: 1) our office vehicles are not allowed to go further than the outskirts of Nueva Ecija (the province before Aurora) for fear of not returning in one piece; 2) due to reason no. 1, associates are forced to ride the bus from Cabanatuan City which takes four hours to arrive in Baler (capital town of Aurora), and if you’re lucky enough, catch the last trip (which is usually before lunch time) and get a good seat, which is rare, because on some unfortunate days you’ll either get a seat at the back of the bus which sort of feels like being stuffed in a blender, or get stuck in the bus’ aisle with a monoblock chair with nothing to support your back while being bordered by loads of boxes threatening to fall down on your head when the road starts to get rough; and 3) when it rains, you might actually get stuck in Aurora or on the road while waiting for the heavy equipment to clear the roads buried by mudslides.

Luckily, this is no longer the case, as most of the roads leading to Baler are now concretized (but getting good bus seats is still a matter of good timing). On my nth time (I’ve lost count) going to Baler on official business, I told myself that this time, I’ll make the most out of it. So I did, and with the help of my officemate Toti who coaxed me to brave the rough waters of the beach in Baler, I tried my best not to be swallowed by the waves, which was actually a thrill. And for the first time since I went to Baler, I was able to take a dip in the surfer-friendly waters. Now, I wish I could surf. But then I have to practice swimming first.

But of course, before the leisure, we did our job and went to San Luis LGU to do what we were supposed to do. Sorry, but the official photos will not be posted here.