Four years ago, the family and I moved from the humble province of Isabela in Northern Luzon to the touristy Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region. I actually had second thoughts about the decision. Isabela is where I grew up and two decades of memories from the hometown created reservations until I had my fourth vacation a month ago. That was the time I felt the need to validate my feelings towards settling in the place.
What I did then was I strolled along the new place on a random day. It was in the morning.
The idea was to get a feel of the place. To establish a connection. This was not necessarily about greeting every person I meet along the way or visiting every house in the area. On the contrary, I did the former. The latter is something I am still working on (unless burglary is my thing).
The stroll was more about familiarizing myself with the place. The emotional aspect was already done at home. Ms. Wonderwall and her two lovely boys made it effortless for me to cope with it.
A couple of hours of wandering did help! I found the validation I needed. The people in the area are definitely nice. I am not. Well, I hope you would not believe that.
There is a mountain loftily standing behind the place like a mighty fortress watching over us.
A clean, green, and peaceful environment makes for a perfect definition of the place. Fresh air, swimming pool, green grass, tall trees, flowers, creek, and so forth are in the checklist.
This stroll gave me a general idea of what is around our new home as well as a more specific view of the establishments that make up our area. The downtown area has a bulk of the important businesses being frequented by residents like me.
Moving to a new place is exciting but it can also be intimidating especially if you know little about the place. I am done with some of the activities I need to do in my checklist; saving the others for more stories to share.
Right now, I am content with the simple yet beautiful things I see around the place. They are enough reasons to feel blessed, content, and at ease.
#itsmorefuninbicol #bicolbloggers #travelstories #cararayan #camellahomes #nagacity #camsur
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STORIES OF THE WANDERING FEET & MIND 
Love those trees!
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I do too. There’s something in the picture. Should I say some things. The trees!
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Yaiks from Super North to Super South….taga dyan ba si Ms. Wonderwall?
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Oo, Ays. Taga diyan nga siya. 😞 Kaya diyan na ang base ko ngayon. 😆
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Ok lang pala hahaha at least taga dyan pala siya…mahirap kung lilipat kayo parehas somewhere na parehas hindi nyo balwarte haha 😆😆😆
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Oo nga ‘no? Thank you for thar reminder!
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This looks like such a beautiful place to live, and I think you made the right call for your family. As you said, blue skies, fresh air, and close in proximity to the downtown district. Far away enough to get some peace and quiet and appreciate nature, yet near enough to somewhere so as to get a feel of civilisation and the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
I am sure the locals perceived you as a nice person when you strolled around. Can’t imagine you actually being a burglar or robber – even if you did visit every house in the vicinity, I am sure you would be a polite and maybe even offer a gift of sorts (maybe it’s just me, but that is what my parents taught me when I was a kid – to bring gifts for others when visiting their house).
I remember moving back to Australia was intimidating for me. I knew no one here, had no friends and I experienced culture shock. It was odd to me that shops in Australia closed so early compared to Malaysia and Singapore, and the weather and food was not what I was used to. So was the Australian accent. But after a while, I got used to it. Like any place we go to, often we try to adapt and come to see the beauty in that place and in the people there. It’s not always about fitting in, but understanding, appreciating and learning. And then maybe living it for ourselves.
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Hi, Mabel. Your comment lead me to thinking, we, as travelers, are actually adaptable to new environments not to mention places. Probably because we are the type who embraces change and diversity in our lives.
Your pictures tells a lot about what we have in common. The most obvious is our connection with nature. That’s the reason why I was able to welcome the new place easily. Nature’s touch is persuasive I must say.
I suddenly remember my boss, who’s British, telling me that shops in the UK are also closing very early in the evening. 8:00 pm?
Have a good weekend!
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My dad used to live in the UK, and at one point I remember him saying shops there do close early. So your boss is pretty much spot on.
To be honest, I find adapting to a different place hard. But a lot of the time, it happens over time (be it a couple of days or years) and I don’t notice it 😀
Enjoy yourself this weekend, Sony.
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You don’t seem like you find adapting to a different place hard. Probably because I thought someone as smart as you should but it turns out to be not the case. People have different coping mechanisms when it comes to adjustment process I would say.
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Love your photos, your persective and happy home! xxoo
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Hi, Lani. I’m very grateful for your kind words.
You made my day!
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That is a beautiful place indeed! We wouldn’t mind living here. 🙂
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I now wish we’re neighbors! How cool is that? 🙂
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Your photographs and your content, rhymes together. If only I could fly right this moment to go there I will do.
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Lai, thank you so much for the compliment! So happy that I somehow convinced you to check the place. It means a lot to me.
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Hello Sony,
I still deliver so much to check on your adventures. I’ll be granting myself a time to read your travel journey because I know you’ll be an inspiration.
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Lai, I feel the same. I need to get an inspiration too and your young yet very bold spirit is perfect. Catch you on the flip side.
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