My Frog Travel and Not Yours

I was traveling going to Butuan (read as Boot-wan and not Boo-to-an) and was very tired. The travel was long and monotonous. I closed my eyes as soon as my butt hit my bus seat. Oblivious of the world and the clamor of travelers going to their destination. It has been so many years since I visited Butuan. It has been 5...10...15...25 long years since I visited this place. I could still smell and remember clearly what Butuan has offered me way back then. I carried only a small bag that I kept close to my body and thus the reminiscing begins.

I remember visiting the Butuan Regional Museum but not much on whats inside. Perhaps I could not comprehend yet what is it about that time. So i just remembered taking a picture in front of the museum with a very cheesy smile. (LOL).I also remember strolling around Santo Nino Diocesan Shrine and its surrounding and again took picture on this Butuan tourist destination.

And my brain acknowledge that the bus stop again and only that... no more no less. I totally ignored all the noises, the heat, the arguments, the haggling... when suddenly I could not help but notice one voice calling....

"Baki... Baki... Baki mo dinha.... Baki...Baki... Baki mong tanan!!!", (Frog...Frog...You are frog there...You are all frog) shouted a skinny boy perhaps around 10 years old while peddling. I could not resist but trace the origin of the voice and a cheeky young boy meet my eyes in inquiry. Actually "binaki" does not belong to the animal kingdom but a Philippine food delicacy in some particular location in the country.

I could not help but smile on the boys strategy to get the tired passenger's attention. Which also brought to memory another story about vendors. These vendors are really creative on catching the very dense and snobbish passengers. Thus creating and shouting something that can make passengers laugh.

I remember something similar to the boys shout ..... (parental guidance please), "Itlog mo...Itlog mo Orange..." (Egg... Your Egg is orange!). Actually that one got a double meaning too. They are actually peddling a cooked egg and the Royal Tru orange Soda of the Coca Coal company.

I found Philippine travel a very interesting one not only of the tourist destination and beautiful scenery but also of the people...anecdote... laughters and tears. I ended my travel with a happy anecdote to share.