Last year, Steve and I came to Baguio for a week to spend some time with Nay and Tay. It was a lovely visit, we stayed at the Baguio Country Club where Tay and Steve played a round of golf. That trip was so short and we knew for sure that we would be back here for a longer visit. Little did we know I was going to be here about a year later for a much longer period of time, but for reasons we never expected.

Soon after learning Tay was in critical condition due to the GBS I booked a flight from Stuttgart to Manila. Still shocked from the news that Tay is in a critical state I couldn’t imagine his condition. We’ve always known him as the strong and healthy man who takes care of Nay. Upon arrival to Baguio I immediately saw Tay, I couldn’t help but cry. He looked worse that I had imagined. Tita Pam has been here for weeks when I arrived, so when I got here she departed a couple days later to be with her family. Since her departure I’ve been sending email updates almost daily to everyone in the family about Tay’s condition. Everyday is a brand new roller coaster ride, some days he’s doing so well and other days are just scary. I’ve been here for two weeks going to the hospital everyday. The nurses and doctors are wonderful, they all care so much for Tay. Nay’s physical therapist – Luz, now also Tay’s, is close to them because she has been Nay’s PT for a couple years. During this difficult time she’s taken great care of Nay. I am truly grateful that Nay and Tay have great people here who love and care for them so deeply, even Mary, their helper at home is such a great person who is so patient in the daily stresses of the situation. I really praise them for their loyalty and care to Nay and Tay.

Although I would really love to explore the new (definitely not improved) Baguio and visit my other relatives I can’t it’s hard to enjoy going to the mall or exploring my past. I’ve been out a few times to take a break from the hospital and I am not happy with the way Baguio turned out to be. It is so crowded and polluted, the traffic here is insane… sometimes it takes an hour to go 2 blocks, but you don’t want to walk because of the pollution and sea of people. Baguio is definitely not how I remember it. The installation of the SM mall is great but holy cow, it is crowded everyday! Do people not work or go to school here? Baguio residents must be rolling in the dough because they’re all at the mall!

I missed writing blogs, I get to think and organize my thoughts. There’s so much more I’d like to say but its not the right time to write about those feelings. I must say though, writing this blog brought my spirits up a little… I’m able to release in a controlled way.

Side note the gas price here is over $5 a gallon!!! Holy crap!!!