Personal Memoir

Into the Durian Capital

    

     We were visiting Davao again which we always do every Christmas break.

     I puked! 

     I felt like everything I ate just got out of my system! The ride felt like that of a roller coaster. It was quite long and the vehicle we were riding in was not helping. I didn’t know what was causing the bad feeling, either the smell of the air-conditioner or the space that was preoccupied by a lot. I saw how exhausted and dizzy my cousins were as well. Some already looked like who were gone from a cat fight because of their messy hair. And I felt jealous on those who were just acting too cool, banging their heads while listening to the loud stereo being played on. I didn’t understand why they seemed fine with everything while I was struggling and almost on the verge of giving up and just wishing to go back to our house and just sleep until the bad feeling fades away.

     Davao has always been a huge part of my life. I can literally say I grew up there because of the experiences that somehow molded me in a way that since I started visiting the place, I learnt the essence of enjoying the company of the people I’m related to which I never thought I’d be able to realize. And be happy upon knowing it. I was never closed to our relatives because I grew up miles away from them, until we started visiting them every year. I met my aunties and uncles, as well as my weird and bubbly cousins. At first of course, it was really awkward, but after a while of staring at each other, we may be got fed off the idea that we almost looked like fools waiting for somebody to strike a conversation. I didn’t know when we started feeling comfortable with each other. All I know is that we woke up the next day sharing our little secrets to each other, and that includes our crushes and the people we hated in school. 

      Actually, most of our relatives reside in Davao, so we stay with them for maybe a month or two. We rarely see them so whenever we do, I’d really feel the longing of not seeing each other for quite long. They would then prepare some food and of course the famous fruit of all time – Durian! Who wouldn’t get excited just by seeing the Durian fruit, right? Well, others don’t like Durian but not me. It’s always being able to eat Durian again that makes me feel excited going back to the place though it’s not easy to do.

     I remember also going to different malls, not to shop but just to stroll the areas looking for things that would then be included in my list to buy if I had already enough money to do so. And of course, arcade games! I played with my cousins and I’ve really enjoyed it. It felt like being a kid once mores and just nothing in mind to worry about. It was super fun and I’m excited to experience it again! Playing arcade games can get more fun when you meet new great friends. And I did meet some. I played with them without even feeling awkward knowing we just met. It felt like we’ve been friends for so long. We were very noisy; shouting and hugging each other whenever we defeat our enemies. It’s nice to meet new people you can bond with without getting bored and tired. But you’d wish for more time which won’t be granted so you need to bid goodbye with a hope of seeing them again one day which would still happen but you won’t recognize each other anymore, or you’d do but the feeling of not minding anymore would just hinder you.

    Apart from that, we also visited the famous park of the place. It was Christmas season so a lot of people were there celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Kids were everywhere, running to and fro. The place was well lighted with different Christmas lights and lanterns. It was super fun to watch!

    I can really say that Davao is a great place. I’d like to say, among all the places I’ve been to, it’s my favorite. People are nice but of course, I haven’t met everyone yet so I won’t say it’s the safest to visit to. But if someone would ask me which place I would recommend them to go and explore, it would be Davao. Always!