jeepney conversation...

last night i wasn't able to join the physicals since i was tied up with a client in Rosario, Cavite.. i came back in the office past 7pm.. and after checking my mails, i was far too drained to go to valero and subject myself to the ramps..

mind and body were one in saying NOT to go and just rest..

so here i was wearing a skirt, and bringing my huge backpack with 6L load and my shoes and clothes inside and walking towards my jeepney stop.

i rode my jeep all the while thinking i shouldn't have brought my backpack with me.. yeah, it was an IF ONLY moment for me.. when suddenly, this old man beside me started a conversation asking me in a very gentle voice and a very friendly smile "Miss, are you a mountaineer?"

that made me think for a moment.. am i really? well not fully since i am not done with my training yet.. i am not really a mountaineer since i haven't experienced multi-day climbs and done all the things that a good trainee should..

but then again, i love this sport eversince i first experienced climbing four years ago... my heart is set in conquering mountains, developing friendship, and yes developing my charcter... and so, i said to the old man "opo, umaakyat po ako.."

therein our short conversation ensued.. i am not really into conversing with strangers in a public transportation.. although my job calls for me to be very open and receptive to clients, i am still hesitant in carrying a conversation with a stranger especially since it can be clearly overheard by everyone riding with us..

but there was something about him... i perceived it as a deep-seated curiosity of what is out there.. a need to know.. and so i opened up to this stranger encouraging him to talk and ask questions.

he told me his name is ray.. and he composes music.. immediately i felt at ease, ah, a man who is into arts.. i imagined him to be a grandfather who sings his lullaby compositions to his grandchildren..

ray: so, kilala mo yung mga umakyat sa everest?
ai: hindi po, pero na meet ko na si garduce kasama ng kaibigan ko dati pa..
ray: ano group ba sila? d mo sila ka grupo?
ai: d po, mga UPM po sila UP Mountaineers.. iba po yung sinasalihan ko dito
ray: ano yung sinasalihan mo?
ai: AMCI po - Ayala Mountaineers..
ray: ahhhh... (there was a lag in our conversation here for clearly he does not know AMCI)

but ray recovered well.. and continued on..

ray: nakikita ko yung mga UPM nag t-training and lalaki ng mga bag nila! mas malaki pa sa yo (referring to my bag)
ai: ah talaga, oo maliit lang to bag ko, pambabae.. kami dito kami sa may valero nag t-training.
ray: ah talaga..alam mo, bilib talaga ako sa mga taong umaakyat.. dati gustong-gusto ko umakyat.. kaya sobrang bilib talaga ako sa mga taong pumupunta sa bundok

ray had this faraway look in his eyes.. most likely recalling his youth and the things he wanted to do and regretted not doing..

and so i said..

ai: it's not too late you know, given the proper training you can still climb
ray: nah, i have so little time from my work.. mahirap na may edad na tayo
ai: well pwede mo naman consult doctor mo, malay mo kaya mo pa rin
ray: ahh may proper medical consultation din pala kayo
ai: opo, just as long as your doctor permits you to do rigorous training pwede po.. meron nga kami 50+ year old trainees dati eh
ray: (contemplating) ah, pwede pala yun ano...

i would have wanted to continue our conversation but sad to say, it was my stop already.. he helped me with my bag, as if holding it and feeling its weight would somehow transport him back to his youth and his sense of adventure..

i would've given him my business card but my handbag was inside my backpack.. if i will see him next year, i will invite him to the training..

so what did i get from this conversation? it drove home to me the real meaning of carpe diem..
to seize the day.. to grab opportunities as it come along.. to live life to the fullest, to do the things you want most to do...

this life comes only once..

and i hope and pray that i won't be in ray's shoes 40-50years from now.. living life vicariously, wondering what it would feel like to go up on a mountain.. to truly experience adventure..

i wish to drink from the cup of life fully... to celebrate each moment, and to carve my own adventures...