Friday, January 24, 2014

The Libra and the Egyptian

For my third blog....I've decided to write about my "other" passion....TATTOO!

This "weird" passion as some would call it actually freaked me out back in my younger years. Quite frankly, this was brought by my strange fascination with (blank) that I can't share on this blog.

According to Manang Wiki, the first written reference to the word "tattoo" (or Samoan "Tatau") appears in the journal of Joseph Banks (1743-1830). To learn more about this, Google it!

First thing to do after you've decided (a million times - you should as this would be part of you for the rest of your life....unless you undergo tattoo removal which is far more painful than getting inked!) -- is your tattoo design. I opted to have a Libra sign (my zodiac sign) and Egyptian letters of my name (why? duh! it's my skin!)

July 17, 2011 marked my first ever association with two-coil tattoo machine, ink and tattoo artist. The tattoo shop - Skinworkz Studio in Cartimar owned by Ricky Sta. Ana, Philippine Tattoo Artists Guild (PhilTAG) President for quite some time. Too bad he wasn't there to do my ink.
Reception area at Skinworkz Studio in Cartimar, Pasay
Artist workstation beside reception area

Ricky Sta. Ana poster placed on one of the shop walls

Available artist on that day was Kenny (inglesero ang artist ko, in fairness). Can't remember if he grew up in the States or part American because I was too busy questioning him if this would sting....a lot.
me and the artist, Kenny
My palms are sweaty, my mind is numb, my hearing a bit impaired and all I can think about is the buzzing sound of the machine piercing on my skin. 'Damn, I'm getting ink!'
Stencil of my first tattoo
The session lasted close to an hour, 'yes!' an hour!' Kenny had a hard time fixing those little Egyptian letters.
Surprisingly, the pain was tolerable. Beware of the outlines, they sting more than the shaded part of the tattoo.

Camera shy tat with me and Kenny
Welcome to my world, tat!
I made it.....and I'm getting more!







Saturday, January 11, 2014

Mt. Marami Adventure

Dec. 22 - 2 AM. Still wide awake.....really wide awake.
The only thing that's popping in my mind is the view of that boulders....Mt. Marami.

I found myself waiting for a jeepney or a bus ride to Coastal Mall.
It's 4:08 AM. I'm late and I cannot afford to be late....especially if you're tagged as "sabit".
Good thing is that Sir Arnel (the one who tagged me along with his friend, Donn), is also late. Quits na!

After the quick introduction, (yes! A super quick one. Why? It's just the three of us) we headed straight to the bus going to Naic, Cavite. Paid fare of 64 pesos then off to dreamland.

We arrived at Naic Petron Station after an hour of travel. Next is to find the jeepney terminal that would take us to Brgy. Ramirez in Magallanes. NOTE - Do not ride tricycle after getting off the bus. Terminal to Magallanes is just a 5-minute walk or less.

The three of us are all first timers with Mt. Marami hike. A good excuse :-) why we got lost (15 mins) finding the jeepney terminal. BTW, terminal opens at 7 AM. Fare is 35 pesos and travel time is more than an hour.

We've met two other hikers that day, Lester and Carl. And now we're five. Galing ko sa Math!

We were dropped off in front of tricycle terminal going to Brgy. Ramirez. Fee is Php10/person or Php40/trip with 15-20 minutes travel time.

We reached barangay hall of Ramirez quarter before nine. Paid 20 pesos for the registration fee and off we go. Yes, we didn't get ourselves guide services. 'Atapang atao!'  Seriously, get yourselves local guides when doing this hike.

This itinerary is based on my personal climb.

0900 Start trek.
0930 ETA Ilog na Kayrayag


1010 Got lost going to Nuestra Senora (5 mins lang naman. Thanks to Mang Ben for joining us till we find the right trail :) )


1018 We're back on track! Proceed with Nuestra Senora trail



1023 Reached second river bed. Take 15 (photo opt, freshen up)



1033 Reached grassland (photo opt ulit!)



1100 ETA Campsite 1


1105 Buko juice break at Kuya Ronald's hut (Php 15)





1115 Cross the famous barbwire


1140 ETA Bamboo Forest.Got lost...again.Had quick lunch.



1245 ETA Campsite at base of Marami summit. Photo opt ulit!



1300 Assault summit



1330 ETA Summit. Sa wakas!



1420 Start descent
1650 Back at jump-off point at Brgy. Ramirez 
1700 Tidy up at Brgy. Hall (Php 20). May pa-pancit at arroz caldo si Kapitan. Christmas party nila.
1830 Left for Maragondon via service tricycle (Php 80 each) *last jeepney trip back to Naic is until 5 PM only.
2000 ETA Coastal Mall


and that' a wrap! til then....