Entry XIV: A Tippy Trip
It was a quiet Monday morning when my phone buzzed. A notification from our group chat lit up the screen, and I lazily reached over to read it. It was from Engr. Lim, our subject teacher. He was announcing a field trip to Nueva Madrid, a city I've always dreamed of visiting. The post mentioned that there would be a grand event happening at a nearby city, held in one of the largest mall complexes in the country. It wasn't just any event—it was a convention for engineers, and the venue alone was already enough to catch anyone's attention.
My eyes widened in excitement. Nueva Madrid! The heart of our country. It was where history lived and breathed; every street corner had a story, every building had a soul. The very thought of walking through its historical avenues and interacting with fellow students and professionals from different universities gave me chills. I knew this was something I couldn't miss.
Still, reality hit quickly. I had to ask for permission. I went to my mother, heart thumping, and told her about the upcoming trip. I hesitated before revealing the cost—2,500 pesos. That amount wasn't a joke for us. I prepared myself for her refusal, even rehearsing what I'd say to accept it gracefully.
But to my surprise, she said yes.
"Okay lang, hijo. It will be a good experience for you," she said, giving me a soft smile. "You need to go out more."
I almost couldn't believe my ears. I gave her a tight hug, filled with gratitude. I knew it must have been a stretch for her, financially speaking, but the way she supported me despite it warmed my heart. I promised myself to make every moment count.
Engr. Lim had also made it clear that the trip wasn't mandatory. Only those interested were to sign up. That meant I had to see who among our class wanted to come with me. I immediately went to our class group chat and made an announcement.
"Hello, classmates! For those who are interested in joining the Nueva Madrid Engineering Convention, please message me. The trip is optional, but it's a great opportunity for exposure and experience."
Only four responded: our Class Vice Mayor, our Treasurer Jillian, and our Auditor, plus one more student. I added myself to the list, making it five in total. I finalized the list and submitted it to Engr. Lim.
Now came the tricky part: the payment.
Engr. Lim required the payment to be sent digitally. I wasn't used to doing big digital transactions, especially since I had to use someone else's account to process the payment. I asked my mom again if she could help, but she told me she had just run out of cash and couldn't transfer the amount digitally at the moment.
Slightly panicked, I asked in our class GC if anyone could temporarily help me process the transaction. The group chat remained silent for what felt like an eternity. I felt a pang of helplessness—I didn't want to back out just because of the method of payment.
Then suddenly, Alvis messaged me privately.
"I can help you process the payment. Just send me the amount, and I'll send it to Engr. Lim for you."
Relief washed over me. I immediately thanked him and transferred the money to his account. A few minutes later, he sent me the confirmation that the payment had been made. I couldn't thank him enough for stepping in when no one else did. That small act of kindness meant the world to me.
With the payment settled, all that was left was to prepare. I packed my large backpack with essentials—extra clothes, toiletries, power bank, notebooks, pens, and a copy of our itinerary. I also brought along my trusty fanny pack for quick access to my phone, ID, and some snacks.
The day of our departure came. I noticed that my fellow class officers—those who were joining—were taking the bus while I, along with other selected participants, would be riding the university shuttle. There was a bittersweet feeling in being separated from them, but I knew we'd all meet up at the event.
Before we left the university, I made sure to leave clear instructions to our Class Secretary, Aludino. I trusted him enough to keep things in order while I was away.
As the shuttle roared to life, I noticed something different. Back in my old school, we always prayed the rosary before a long trip, especially when leaving the city. But here, there was no such tradition. It felt a little unsettling, so I silently prayed the rosary on my own as the city slowly disappeared from view.
We left at exactly 12 noon. The journey ahead was 492 kilometers from Nueva Sevilla to Nueva Madrid. According to our itinerary, we were supposed to arrive by 5 p.m.—just a five-hour trip, but I knew better. Traffic, stopovers, and road conditions could stretch it longer.
And stretch it did.
By the time we arrived at our lodging in Nueva Madrid, it was already 12 midnight. The long hours on the road had left me physically drained. We had to wait another thirty minutes before we were allowed inside the apartment complex.
To my surprise, we were staying at the same place as the College Governor and College Senator. That gave me some reassurance, knowing that we were all gathered in one place. I wondered where my other classmates were staying, but I figured I'd find out the next day.
As I set my things down, I looked around the modest apartment. It was cozy—two rooms, a small kitchen, and a shared living room. I quickly claimed a corner spot on one of the mattresses laid out on the floor and began to settle in.
I thought of everything that led me here: the announcement, my mom's unexpected approval, the payment problem, Alvis' help, the hours of travel. It all felt surreal. Yet here I was, finally in Nueva Madrid.
Exhausted but excited for what tomorrow would bring, I laid my head on the pillow and let sleep take over.
I knew the convention would be intense. New faces, new ideas, and the thrill of being in a city I had only dreamed of. But tonight, in that little apartment room surrounded by the buzz of excited students, I felt at peace.
Tomorrow, I would walk the historic streets of Nueva Madrid—not just as a student, but as a dreamer finally living part of the dream.
And so began one of the most unforgettable chapters of my life.
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