A Vigan journal

April 7, Monday (departure)

I had us packed before Larry and the children woke up so there was little else to do except plan what pasalubong to get, over breakfast.

But Vigan it seemed had one more thing to show us before we left: While waiting for breakfast to be served, we heard a brass band playing a dirge outside.

We rushed to the front door of the hotel and saw at least three horse-drawn hearses making their way to the cathedral in a procession reminiscent of New Orleans funerals.

Each hearse was preceded by a brass band with its own set of three majorettes and retinue of mourners making their way to the church on foot.

The front desk staff explained this was because funerals were not allowed on weekends as the streets around the plazas or public square were closed to traffic to allow promenaders to have the run of the place.

After breakfast, we dashed about the poblacion for bibingka, bagnet, and Vigan longaniza. Cooling our heels while waiting for the bagnets to be delivered at 10:00 a.m. and mulling whether or not to buy the Vigan lechon instead.

After making our purchases it was back to our hotel and Larry lugging our bags down to the van.



Standing at the main door or puerta of Aniceto Mansion and looking out at the panoramic view of Plazas Burgos and Salcedo with their now empty empanada and okoy kiosks and Vigan cathedral with its row of calesas out front – I couldn't help turning melancholic.

I have been here before – in this transitory passage between adventure and home – and had felt a bit like the hobbit Frodo at the end of his quest:

"Roads go ever ever on
under cloud and under star
yet feet that wandering have gone
turn at last to home afar…"

I know we have to go… It's at least a nine-hour overland trip back to Bulacan… So after taking a last look around and an earful of the bustle that is the city (the clip-clop of calesas, other travelers pulling out of their hotels, churchbells pealing and distant catches of birdsong), I step out on the street for the journey home. - GMANews.TV