Tam-Awan Village

To start with, the address on the tickets says: 366-C Pinsao Proper, 2600 Baguio City Philippines.

What I miss about Baguio is its cab drivers. I live in Manila right now so I guess the comparison is really drastic, so to speak. For one, the drivers in Baguio (including jeepney drivers) are not choosy. They won't stop right in front of you and ask, "where to?" and if you tell them your intended destination, they won't set conditions like: "add 50 pesos (or more) to the meter fare and I'll take you there."

In Baguio, cab drivers actually make use of the taxi meters, which is why it's there in the first place! When you pay for your ride, they will give you back the change. Every centavo of it. In Manila, either they won't give you back the change or they will complain that you haven't given them enough when in fact you have given the exact amount.

And yes, in Baguio, when you ride a jeepney, they will definitely allow you to take a seat first before they speed away. In Manila, you've got to hold on to whatever you can grab once you step on the ride because the drivers won't even care if you're already seated or not. I almost fell of a jeepney once in my life. Thank goodness one of the passengers was able to help me before I was thrown out into the road!

Not that I'm generalizing. But then again, I guess I am. Haha!

The reason why I mentioned cab drivers in Baguio is because you can easily flag down a cab anywhere in Baguio and just say: "Idjay tayo Tam-Awan Village, Manong." (This is an Ilocano dialect translated as: Let's go to Tam-Awan Village) and the driver will take you to the village. You don't have to worry about the fare. As I've said, cab drivers in Baguio know how to use the taxi meters. :'p I think from Session Road, the fare would be less than 60 pesos but not over a hundred.

You may also want to take the jeepney. Look for the Quezon Hill jeepneys near the Public Market. I think it will cost you about 10 pesos or even lesser. If you want to ask a local, just say: "Ayanna ti paradaan ti jeep ti Quezon Hill?" (Where are the Quezon Hill jeepneys parked?) If you do find the jeepneys, tell the driver to drop you off at the village by saying: "Manong, pakibaba nak man idjay Tam-Awan Village." (Please drop me off at Tam-Awan Village).
If you want to ask how much the fare to the village is, just add, "Magkano pamasahe para Tam-Awan Village?"

Once you're already inside the village, this is my advice: "Just keep on climbing." :')

In 2005, my friend and I found a clearing. There was a bench and a tree, and we got a bird's eye view of the vicinity. In 2009, my best friend and I searched for this clearing. Unfortunately, we weren't able to find it. I don't know if it's still there or if we just went the wrong way. Who knows? Maybe you'll find it. :')

For photos of Tam-Awan Village, visit my multiply site: http://eufrincess.multiply.com/photos/album/5/Tam-Awan_Village

For more of my diaries, visit:

Eufrene's French Diary @ http://www.eufrench.blogspot.com

Eufrene's Russian Diary @ http://www.eufrussian.blogspot.com

To go back to Eufrene's Travel Diary @ http://www.eufrincess.blogspot.com