There was no bus going to my hometown at that moment, and I did not want to waste time waiting, though I knew it wouldn't be long, so I rode a bus that was not going to pass by our town. I just sat there without any particular destination in mind. I had time. When did traveling become a waste of time? Never. Each road trip is a unique experience so I indulged. I was willing to get lost.
When the bus conductor asked for my destination, I asked him where it would pass. Well, signboard says San Narciso, but I wouldn’t travel that long. He mentioned Unisan. I know that place so well through reading, although I haven’t been there at all. So I decided I would alight in Unisan. Fare was only P139 from Lucena, so I guessed it was near.
I was just standing where the bus dropped me when I saw the sea! I felt delighted that with just a few steps from the road, I will be having the luxury of seeing a vast body of water right in front of me. Free! I visited the church first, which I learned from the tricycle drivers was just a stone’s throw away from where I stood. Then I walked to see if the elementary school nearby had the Gabaldon Building. I peeked through the closed gate, and it didn’t look old so I proceeded to see the beach, while appreciating some heritage houses along the way.
It was my first time in Unisan. No one knew that I was there, not even my family. I just wanted to be "invisible” while I explored a place that was totally new to me. All I did was ask questions to the locals, tricycle drivers and a few store owners. After a while of enjoying the sea and seeing that it was almost lunch time, I asked around where I could partake in the best food in town.
I wondered why there was a huge water tank behind the restaurant. It looked like the water tank in our public market when I was a child. The restroom’s stairs were beautiful but the restaurant owner seemed not to notice it. It is a layer of three red-colored concrete half-moons. Ginataang langka and ginataang kalabaw looked delish, but I ordered dinug-an because I haven’t had it for a long time. But it’s crispy, and not like our recipe in Lopez which has a green papaya ingredient.
After lunch, I went to the Municipio to see the Mayor, Administrator, or the Information Officer so we can talk about Opinyon. Once done, I was ready to ride the bus again and heed to my original destination, Lopez. I took the jeep that was ready to go, with ‘Gumaca’ signboard, and before I knew it, I was home.
I had fun getting lost. There was no stress, no pressure. I just travelled lightly as a feather. And because no one knew me, I seemed invisible. I just told my family about my adventure when it was done. It was an experience that I would love to do again and again.
What if something bad happens, like an accident, or totally getting lost along the way? I have my IDs. I will be identified, if found.