Hiking, trekking, mountaineering, waterfalls. Yes, I have done these a few times before, but only at
rare times. Last time was when I went to Mt. Pinatubo. Before that was several
years prior… back in college, as part of a mandatory community service in
school.
Yesterday, I
decided to join a newly found online group of outdoor and nature enthusiasts. New
faces, new friends. We went hiking in the north. My first time as a PLHIV. I
knew it would be a tiring trek. 10K up, then 10K back down.
10K! Whoaa… that
must really be so tiring. But after 2 hours, when we got to the top, it felt
like a reward. Morning dew. Cool breeze. Swaying trees. Chirping
birds. Fresh water. Grassy fields. Wild flowers. Rocky trail. Ice cold
waterfalls falling from the mountain tops in a secluded cove. Totally isolated.
It was literally ALL ours. No strangers. No other people. No ghosts nor
enkantos - at least none that we saw. It was beautiful. Chill time. Relaxing…
away from the busy city life.
Man, this is such a
beautiful world, ain't it? 3 years ago, when I was having shortness of breath
due to pneumonia, I never imagined hiking is still possible. Now, 3 years
after, I’m on top of this gorgeous hill.
As the area was all
OURS, we deciding to go skinny dipping. You heard it right, nude swimming! Yes,
we swam and roamed the area in our birthday suits. No shirts, no shorts, nor
underwear. No, nothing, nada! Something I haven’t done before, and had never
thought I would be doing, ever. - Disclaimer, no sex! It is strictly prohibited by
The RULES! :)
Indeed, it was truly
one of the weirdest things I've ever done in my life. But, I must say, it was
fun. It was really liberating. I felt free! I felt one with nature, with
nothing hidden, literally. Everything’s exposed - my heart, my soul, and my penis.
Everything… in full glory.
After 4 hours of
swimming, lying down, resting, eating and having casual conversation while
naked, we decided to go back, while the sun was still up. We got back to the
base camp after another 2 tiring hours of downhill trek through the rocky and
sandy trail. Then, we reached Manila after traversing NLEX and EDSA in horrible traffic jam.
Damn, I’m back in
the city: pollution, traffic, noise, crowd, and city el nino heat. Darn,
I’m back in a city where everyone is clothed, where everyone has got something
to hide… deep within his well-ironed clothes. Back in this judgmental city.
So bring it on... bring my closet back! I need to hide again -- my sexuality, my
HIV status, and my “other” life. But I’m not complaining, just saying :)
Well, it was a quick weekend trip. I'm glad I joined. It just feels good to quickly escape the city, and experience something new. More so, to strip myself of clothes, of stress and of worries. To liberate myself and be carefree even for just a few hours. And most especially, it just feels good to be "not sick" and enjoy nature, and life again!
