While we celebrate the family's rare togetherness over a more-than-the-ordinary lunch, I am reminded of my early expectant months three years ago and the adventures my hubby and I purposely got into — to take my mind of our unplanned pregnancy.
Back then we were light years away from being prepared, financially and emotionally.
As if in protest against the universe's scheme, instead of spending our savings renting an apartment during my first trimester, we voyaged to the Visayas region of the Philippines for our last backpacking hurrah of the year (And in case you're wondering, we camped at my granma's house when we got back). The eleven-day trip witnessed us catching up with friends, weaving through urban jungles, marveling on historical structures, riding a motorcycle on rough roads, strolling along blinding white sands, and hiking semi-unforgiving trails. Morning sickness and heaps of hissy fits in between.
Out of all the intense activities we got caught in, our Mambukal Resort hike takes the Most Awesome Award. Or the Most Maniacal, depending on your outlook in life. Why so? Two words: Seven Waterfalls. You're probably shaking your head and/or rolling your eyes (I know my mom will if I tell her about this.) thinking, "You can't possibly have done that". Or, "Meh!". Again, depending on your outlook on life.
I did trek all the way to the seventh. Proudly, without falling like a log.
I did trek all the way to the seventh. Proudly, without falling like a log.
Towards the sixth.
The jeep-plus-bus ride from Bacolod City to the resort didn't cause much pain in the preggy backpacker's arse. Okay, just a little discomfort in the bladder. But you see, that's the easy-breezy part. The anguish only began soon as we set off for the actual hike.
"Are we there yet?", a question asked every minute.
Parts of the trail were, hopefully still are, sheltered by trees. I called for respite
None of the falls in Mambukal are as mighty as Negros Oriental's Casaroro Falls, which we visited days prior, but they're still worth the half day. Seven Waterfalls may sound and look intimidating, but they actually aren't. The trek to each one doesn't require special climbing skills. Just patience. And that, I have a lot of even when I was pregnant.
But even with all these words of assurance and encouragement, I know that not a lot of pregnant women will take such risk (Which is a wise move.). You know, I wasn't just feeling rebellious that time, but I'd like to see how far I can go as an expectant mother. Because what I did, using "ordinary" public transport and trekking relatively long distances, are nothing out of the ordinary for so many expectant moms in both big cities and quaint towns. I thought, if I conditioned myself not to be too picky/lazy/whiny in the early stage of my pregnancy, the following months will be much easier.
And you know what? It worked.
Happy Mother's Day, my fellow mums! It may be a man's world, but it would be nothing without a woman.
And you know what? It worked.
Happy Mother's Day, my fellow mums! It may be a man's world, but it would be nothing without a woman.
This page was viewed times.
