How I Met the Mountaineer

I met a guy yesterday. Well, it’s not like I have never met any people these days. But moments like these do not really happen every day.

Wow. Those lines made it really look like a beginning of a romantic story. But it isn’t. So you guys can stop reading it and go on with what you are doing, while I on the other hand, will continue my story about how I found a new friend.

So I was walking downtown after a well-deserved pedicure trying my hardest to strut down the road with my newly revived toes (HAHA) when some strange-looking guy came near to me asking where the Sibulan terminal is. He was strange-looking because he had this gigantic, super bulky-looking backpack which is kind of my size (so you’ve got to imagine how huge it was! Hahah). He was sporting this ruggedly handsome look with his sleeveless white shirt, military pants and still muddy shoes. After a few seconds of visual examination (it doesn’t sound right does it?), I figured he’s one of those mountaineers trying to find his way through the city. He was obviously lost.  

What is it with these kinds of people getting lost inside a city???

Honestly, I had thoughts about this guy just bluffing around. Some people would just pretend to be someone they’re not and try to ask for help.  And because wanting to do the honorable thing, you’d go the extra mile and do everything you can to help them. Eventually, you end up feeling so stupid about yourself because you kind of instructed that person where you can find the ATM machines and he’d go the other opposite way pretending that conversation never happened!!! WHAT IS IT WITH YOU PEOPLE??? GGRRR…

Okay. (calm down Ttye)

However, this guy looked genuinely friendly AND [ruggedly] handsome so I decided to lend a helping hand (and try to channel the Good Samaritan in me again). Since I was about to go home as well, I decided to walk with him towards the terminal. The guy was so chatty that after a few minutes of walking, I’ve already learned his laid-out plans for next year! Yes guys, a long list of mountain trips around the country! Layshu!!

Apparently, he’s from Mindanao. Zamboanga City to be exact. So he speaks Cebuano and Chavacano very well.  He told me he just came from a Mt Apo hike and I was like, “Wow! Maayo paka!”  His next destination is Baguio City through a Cebu-Manila trip and he needed to catch the soonest fastcraft to Liloan so he could get there in time.

And so we rode the easy ride together. The guy has this natural charm that after just a few seconds of settling to our seats, every single passenger (man or woman) inside the vehicle just tried to talk to him. Maybe it is just his overall mountaineer look that made everyone very curious. Or maybe because he looked so darn cute! Whichever, I’m sure everyone did enjoy talking to him. They even gave him additional directions and tips about the Cebu trip too, which was very sweet of my fellow Sibulanons.

So a few miles after, I had to hand my fare over and step out of the easy ride. I quickly gave the guy a “Good luck with your adventures!” spiel and he easily smiled and replied “Salamat kaayo sa tanan Miss!” 

And there it is friends…That’s the story of how I met the Mountaineer. Heheh.

Funny thing about it??? WE DO NOT KNOW EACH OTHER’S NAME.