I learned how to bike when I was seven years old. My father brought a Japanese bike when he arrived from, of course, Japan.
I still remember that day at the airport when he had nothing with him but a green & white bicycle. He was waving his right hand, and the left hand was holding on to the seat of the bike. That vivid memory left in my brilliant mind.
Anyway, I learned. Proudly say, without those side wheels. (HaHa!)
One summer day, in my folk’s hometown, when I was ten, I pretended not feeling well so that I would not join my family who was travelling from the town of Claveria, to the nearby barrio of Calanasan, then Kalinga-Apayao, Sta. Filomena, proudly, my mother’s homebarrio. They will have a picnic by the river. After an hour, I geared up. Can you imagine my excitement? That feeling of “escaping”?
I wore a white long sleeves polo on top of my shirt, grabbed my aunt’s native buri hat, put it on my head, then I picked up the bike. It was usually a 30-minute tricycle ride. But with a Japanese bike, with my short legs pedal-ling on rough provincial roads, how much time do you think did I reach my destination?
That is not what mattered to me. I was enjoying the breeze under the heat of the sun at an hour before noon. The farmers in the rice fields, who were harvesting rice, were all waving at me. And I waved back too. Yes, that “Look Ma, one hand!” waving of hand. And that charming smile on my face.
Can you describe how proud I was then?
I reached my destination, Sta. Filomena. My aunts and uncles saw me. And they were all surprised. Maybe amazed. Hahaha! I was too. Then my dad and mom saw me. That stare. When parents couldn’t do anything anymore because something has been done already. Yes, that kind.
I did not care.
I arrived safe, happy, with all smiles in my eyes.Until now, I can feel that vibe, even recalling every single detail of my first bike road trip. What memory of an experience when I felt gladness, success, independence, and freedom – in few hours of this lifetime!
That fine summer day, when I first shouted yoooohoooo!!!!
Equals Freedom.
Equals “Yes I can get what I have been dreaming of.”
#TaraBikeTayo
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Journeying Pinay
is a travel blogger/islander.
Catch her joyous journeys & sensibilities at www.JourneyingPinay.com #EnjoyLife
