Day 3 of Mitch's "Making a Christmas Memory" Bicycle Tour.
Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya to Kiangan, Ifugao 85KMS ----------------------- 7/11 BREAKFAST
My ride out from Aritao started at 0500 with the temperature actually comfortable. I found a 7/11 for sandwich and drinks. Mostly downhillish, to my surprise going towards Bagabag.
BAGABAG CO-WORKERS
I realized that co-workers Carol and Chohu live in this area, so i looked them up and found their place.
OMELETE, FRENCH TOAST
They had a nice breakfast waiting fir me and i enjoyed the quick fellowship with coffee. The house of their relatives borders a rice field and the omelet was cooked by relative that has pizza business downtown.
HER CHURCH
Only down the highway, just a bit, is the home and church of a former co-worker named Delia. We had quick fellowship and took photo and visited her church. I remember being here once before a few years back.
MIND WARFARE
As i started up the mountains, immediately after crossing the bridge into Ifugao, i realized, again, that the challenge of the mountains will be mostly mental and not physical. The amount of mental focus and determination outweighs the need for physical. The mind needs to be renewed that mountains are nit bad and everyone has the same challenge.
RAIN, NOT THIS TIME
It started to rain for the first time near 2pm. I found an empty store to get cover and chose to sit it out staying warm and dry over progressing forward. The mountains are not forgiving. I do not want to be "wet and cold" up here.
WHAT'S ILOCANO FOR RIGHT?
Stopping for a break, within 4kms from my finish line for the day, I asked the sakes lady, "What is the word for 'right' in Ilocano language? You know, 'right' or 'left'?"
She replied, confused, "We don't speak Ilocano here, we speak Ifugao."
"Okay, What is the Ifugao word for 'right?" In Tagalog, it is 'kanan.' How about Ifugao?"
After the longest pause, thinking, she could not remember! I was shocked. A moment ago, she was excited about telling me she does not speak Ilocano, but speaks Ifugao, but now can't tell me a basic word in her language! I found it unbelievable, and continued on...Still thinking about it a day later?
DOWNHILL TO STAR LODGE
I found a lodge near the exit point that I need to take tomorrow, and checked it. I had to park my bike outside in the garage, since I am on second floor.
The lady prepared a meal since food Is NOT allowed from the outside. I was in bed by 6pm with no signal or wifi.
MINUTES AWAY FROM EXIT
This next exit is my big one. For sure, as I inch towards Tinoc, the Highest Point on the National Highway, if I experience any downhills, they will be an illusion, false, or followed by an even greater up hill. How can you go down when going up primarily?
End Go to Day 4 of 7