Landed in Davao City a couple of hours ago. I must say, although I love living in Davao, the less-than-a-week stint in the capital felt like it was cut short (although I actually extended my stay a few days). It had been nearly 3 years since I’d been to Manila before this trip, and it felt like I wasn’t able to do enough catching-up.
Still, the six days were productive. I was able to recruit some talented contributors to my current project, PinoyTech.TV, and I was able to touch base with my long-time friends in the industry, like Janette and Richard Eldridge of Infinit-O.
I actually came close to extending my stay… but my wallet was grumbling already. If you’re in Manila and you don’t have a clear itinerary or set schedule, you’ll find your resources getting drained faster than you planned. Since I’d decided to make the trip only a week before, that’s exactly what happened to me. Not that I’m complaining, really. I mean, on the whole, it was all worth it.
Arriving in Davao, the cool breeze was refreshingly welcoming, and the pull of free-wifi-enabled coffee shops beckoned to me almost instantly (yep, iniinggit ko kayo, guys! hehehe!). But I’m already missing some things in Manila: Fully Booked, the bookstore that occupies one entire building; the plethora of shops and restaurants; and the opportunity to cement close friendships with some bloggers I’ve come to know.
Well, there’s always the Internet, and the next trip to the Metro.
Oh yeah, it was great to see a lot of interest in Davao during the iBlog4 Summit. I hope this will translate to more Manila-based bloggers coming to Davao for blogging events this year!
See… good thing I bugged you to come here!!! Hehehe. It was great seeing you again. Come back next month ha!
I’m glad I let you convince me to go.
Next month… cross your fingers!
Ria <3 Davao!!!
I miss Davao already. I can’t eat around here without spending a fortune.
You got that right, drew!
For me, it’s been 4 years since I last went to Manila. Feyma and I planned to go for a week. We had so many plans of what we wanted to do. After just one day, we looked at each other and said “I miss Davao.” We returned home after only 1 day! Haven’t felt the desire to go back again in that time since, either!
Hahaha!! That happened to me too, the after-1-day syndrome, but I didn’t fly back right away, obviously. But it always happens to me when I go to Manila — the first day always feels so sluggish… But after getting over that, everything turns out fine, more or less.
Hi Blogs. It is nice to see you again and be that at iBlog pa.
I think I never really felt the distance as we communicate with each other regularly. Take care Blogs. Till we see each other again soon.
That’ll be in a couple of weeks, Janette!