These days, I find it a struggle to drag myself outside for a run. I know this isn't just a phase but a confirmation that I am ready to shift my priorities on where I spend my time and exert energy. I won't be detailing it here but what I can tell you is that part of it involves some changes on my weekly routine.
I'll be spending more time devoting it to my neglected passions - reading and writing (definitely more writing). While those are enriching activities, I can't just forego intense physical activity so I'd still be hiking monthly and in between hikes, go out for long walks to clear my head.
Fortunately, I don't have to travel far to escape from the buzz of the city. A few minutes away from home is my new refuge - the urban trail from Mandaluyong to Makati which I've been exploring for months now. Well, it's not really a trail. I just duck into alleys and find my way around. Haha. I was able to take time this morning to walk around and take some photos with my phone. :)
Trivia #1 : Did you know that there are still fishes swimming at the Pasig River? In the photo below, the black specks in the water are the crowd of fishes. This sight never fails to amuse me because I had this ignorant misconception that the water in Pasig River is too dirty for any biological organism apart from bacteria to survive in it. (Back in 2008, huge fishes called "Imelda" were found swimming at the Pasig River and were featured on GMA News. Watch it here.)
Trivia #2 : Rockwell Center was built on a former thermal plant owned by MERALCO. It was named after James Chapman Rockwell, MERALCO's first president. Trivia 2.5 - I do my warm-ups here, right behind that flowery shrub. :P. This is also where a towering Christmas tree is decorated during the yuletide season.
Trivia #3 - Rockwell Center sits in the middle of Makati and Mandaluyong. A few blocks from Rockwell are various interesting establishments. And by interesting, I pertain to restaurants, bars and cafes that serve great food. :P Among the popular ones include Ziggurat, which serves a fusion of dishes from Middle East, India and Africa, for the caffeine and pastry lovers - Paris Delice, Handlebar which claims to have the longest happy hour in the Philippines from Sunday-Wednesday, the sophisticated cuisine of Savoy Bistro (menu here) and Turkish restaurant - Combos Bread Company Bakery & Café (great review here).
For now, I'v just been exploring the areas near Makati and Mandaluyong. I'm hoping I can go farther in the next few months, perhaps, find my way from home to Manila or maybe even Laguna on foot. Who knows?
Ooohhh, stalker friendly post! Can i run with you someday? I'm looking forward to the foodtrip after. LOL.
ReplyDeleteUy! Interesting! I was just here (Rockwell) today. I haven't been there since last year I think. I drove around and didn't walk though hehe! I was surprised at the changes. May bagong commercial complex na pala around the area complete with coffee shops. New hangouts for the hoity-toities hehe!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on trying Laguna. :) hahaha! :)
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@Gay - haha, yun ang rason kung bat ako nagpapapawis :)
ReplyDelete@Drew - I love this area kasi dami puno :) Sayang ndi tayo nag-abot
@Mich - hahaha! Oo nga eh. I watched an episode of MMK about these two kids who walked from Novaliches (or was it Marikina or QC, basta North) and umabot sila ng Bicol without any money. After that, nakisakay sila sa trucks papuntang Catbalogan. Galing!